Every year, more and more citizens of the CIS countries go to near and far abroad in search of better-paid jobs than in their homeland. Often the final destination of their journey is the Czech Republic, a country with a stable economy, developed infrastructure and a favorable climate. What is important is that the official salary in the Czech Republic in 2021 is one of the highest in the entire Eastern European region. At the end of 2021, the average salary here was 1,230 euros, which is 8% higher than the previous year. All information on salaries of workers in various industries in the Czech Republic is collected on one Internet resource Platy.cz.
How are salaries calculated in the Czech Republic?
Payment for labor can be calculated in one of the following ways:
- Hourly system - the employer pays for each hour worked by the employee. The minimum bet is about 2.8 euros.
- The chord system is a fixed wage for completing work within a certain period of time. Its size is agreed in advance with the employee.
- The lump sum bonus system is a fixed salary with the possibility for the employee to receive bonuses or additional payments for work completed before a certain deadline.
Salary in the Czech Republic net and gross
When negotiating with the employer on the amount of remuneration, the employee should distinguish between the so-called clean and rough (or dirty) wages (ZP).
- “Net” salary, net, in Czech Čistá mzda - the amount of money that an employee will receive after deductions to all funds and payment of taxes.
- “Rough” salary, gross, hrubá mzda is how much an employee receives before deductions for health and social insurance. The gross salary formula will look like this:
- net + 6.5% social insurance + 4.5% medical insurance.
- “Super rough” salary, superhrubá mzda - includes rough salary, deductions made by the employer, and tax, that is, its formula:
- gross + 25% social insurance + 9% medical insurance + income tax 15%.
Social insurance contributions consist of health insurance (2.3%), contributions to the pension fund (6.5% from the employee and 21.5% from the employer) and the employment fund (1.2%).
The state provides discounts for certain categories of employees:
- taxpayers – 80 euros per month;
- students – 13 euros;
- parents of 1 child – 44 euros, 2 children – 99 euros, 3 or more children – plus a discount of 70 euros for each child,
- Parents of disabled people multiply the parental discount by 2.
For example, if the “super gross” salary of an employee without children and not a student is 20,100 Czech crowns (CZK), then the “gross” salary will be 15,000 CZK, and the net employee will receive 12,405 CZK.
In order not to count everything in your head, there is a special calculator. The gross and all data affecting the salary amount are entered there, and then the program automatically calculates the employee’s net monthly profit and “super-gross” salary.
Minimum and maximum wages in the country
According to the law in the Czech Republic, the minimum wage is presented at two levels: per hour worked and per month (a working day is 8 hours with a standard five-day workday). In the process of determining salaries, various social payments, contributions to tax and insurance companies are not taken into account.
At the beginning of 2021, the minimum wage for 1 hour of work is 2.9 euros. The employer transfers at least 488 to the employee per month. This value is more than 3.5 times higher than the subsistence level for one adult. After stagnant wage growth from 2008 to 2013, there has been a rise of about 10% in the first quarter of each year. An important role in this is played by the stability of the national currency (krona) in relation to the euro and dollar, which the ruble has not been able to boast of in recent years.
We are ready to offer the maximum salary to experienced, highly qualified personnel in the medical field, IT, personnel management, finance, insurance, law, and engineering. Directors of companies are in the lead with an indicator of about 5,000 euros. Programmers and business analysts count on more than 3,000, as do surgeons, gynecologists and doctors with extensive experience. Top masters in the field of construction receive 2000-2500.
During 2021, the maximum salary for those employed in the IT, pharmaceutical and chemical industries will increase by 3-7%, as these areas are developing at a rapid pace, and the country’s internal reserves are insufficient. Therefore, the Czech authorities are developing measures to attract personnel from European countries and the United States, trying to win the fight for them from Germany and Great Britain, guaranteeing high income and social privileges.
Salary supplements
For overtime, the employee is entitled to time off or additional payment:
- time off is provided in the amount of overtime and must be used within 3 months after overtime work is completed (unless a different period has been agreed upon in advance),
- if the time off was not provided by the employer, the employee is entitled to an additional payment of +25% of the minimum wage for work performed.
Time off or additional pay is not provided if, under the terms of the contract, the employee’s salary provides for possible overtime work.
In addition, additional payments in the amount of plus 10% of the minimum wage are provided for:
- work at night;
- work in hazardous conditions;
- work in difficult conditions.
The employer pays at least 10% extra, but can increase this percentage or pay the employee a bonus at its discretion.
How much can you earn in the Czech Republic?
As in other countries, the salary level for a foreigner in the Czech Republic will largely depend on knowledge of the Czech and English languages, as well as the availability of a diploma confirmed in the Czech Republic.
The size of the salary is also affected by the profession and location of the employer.
Minimum wage in the Czech Republic and living wage
The minimum salary in the Czech Republic as of January 2021 is CZK 12,200 or EUR 477. If the employee’s salary is less than the minimum wage, he must pay an additional amount for his health insurance so that his monthly contribution is at least 1,647 CZK (64 euros).
The minimum hourly wage this year has increased to 73 CZK (2.8 euros).
The minimum subsistence level (LS) for an adult without a family in kroons is 3,410 or 133 euros.
For married couples, the minimum amount for living in the Czech Republic is slightly different. It is estimated that CZK 3,140 per month is required for the first adult family member, CZK 2,830 per month for the second and each subsequent adult.
If you have children, CZK 1,740 is added per child under 6 years old, CZK 2,140 – from 6 to 12 years old, CZK 2,450 – from 15 to 26 years old. For a family, the total minimum wage is calculated as the sum of the minimums of all family members.
What is the average salary in the Czech Republic?
The average salary in the Czech Republic is just over a thousand euros. In small companies, the salary of employees averages 800-850 euros, in large companies - about 1,300 euros.
Large salaries for general directors - 6,700 euros per month, air traffic controllers - 6,400 euros, branch managers - 5,250 euros, financial managers - 4,760 euros, IT directors - 4,600 euros.
At the same time, in the Czech Republic there is a favorable trend in the annual growth of average salaries. True, the increase in inflation rates and rising prices for consumer goods somewhat reduce the level of income of citizens.
Information on the cost of living in the Czech Republic is presented in the article: “What are the prices in the Czech Republic?”
Wages in different regions of the Czech Republic
One of the factors on which an employee’s salary depends is the region of employment. Data on average wages by region of the Czech Republic are presented in the table - it indicates the amount of salaries that the majority of residents of the region receive.
| Region | Average salary, euro |
| Prague | 1090 – 1360 |
| South Moravian Region | 818 – 1090 |
| Moravian-Silesian region | |
| Pardubice region | |
| Usti region | |
| Zlín region | |
| South and Central Bohemia | |
| Vysočina region | |
| Kralove Hradeck region | |
| Olomouc Region | |
| Karlovy Vary region | 545 – 1090 |
| Pilsen region | 818 – 1360 |
| Liberec region |
In Prague, residents earn on average more than in other regions of the republic, but it should be borne in mind that the cost of living here is somewhat higher.
Comparison of salaries for workers in different professions
By profession, the most active salary growth is observed among IT specialists, managers, lawyers, engineers and bank employees. Current average salaries for 2021 for workers in different professions are presented in the table:
| Profession in the Czech Republic | Salary per month, euro |
| IT specialist | 1300 – 3200 |
| Auditor | 2000 |
| Business analyst | 1333 |
| Web Designer | 1300 |
| Driver | 863-1300 |
| Dentist | 1500 |
| Engineer | 1100-1600 |
| Cashier | 770 |
| Logistician, warehouse worker | 844-1200 |
| Medic | 1800 |
| Nurse, caregiver | 900 |
| Equipment adjuster | 1580 |
| Waiter | 690 |
| Hairdresser | 750 |
| Cook | 600-700 |
| Programmer | 1700-2137 |
| Handyman | 526 |
| Welder | 1042 |
| Software Tester | 1400 |
| Teacher in high school | 1036 |
| Pharmacist | 1300 |
| Financial analyst | 1500-1800 |
| Chemist | 1030 |
| Economist | 1400 |
| Electrician | 980 – 1100 |
The lowest wages (about 300-500 euros) are for general workers, janitors, seasonal workers and other unskilled workers.
Foreigners who get jobs in the service sector (maids, waiters, assistant cooks) usually have salaries of no more than 600 euros. At the same time, university graduates without work experience receive 800-900 euros.
Remuneration in different industries
Due to the fact that many qualified Czech specialists leave to work in Germany, the UK and other more developed countries of the European Union, the Czech Republic itself is experiencing a shortage of personnel in various sectors of the economy. Therefore, foreign specialists with higher education from the CIS countries are willingly hired here, especially in the field of information technology, chemistry, electrical engineering, design, and medicine.
Salaries are distributed by sector of the economy as follows:
| Branch of the economy | Average salary, euro |
| Industry | 1080 |
| Raw material processing | 815 |
| Trade | 1010 |
| Production | 1075 |
| Design | 1800 |
| Construction | 990 |
| Transportation of goods | 990 – 1600 |
| Agriculture | 880 |
| Healthcare | 1157 |
| Education | 1030 |
| Information Technology | 2040 |
| Scientific and technical activities | 1350 |
| Finance and insurance | 2050 |
How much do foreigners earn on average in the Czech Republic?
According to the Migration Service of the Czech Republic, the number of foreigners in the country has exceeded half a million people. More than 2/5 of them are visitors from Ukraine and Slovakia, there are about 36 thousand Russian citizens, a significant number of foreigners migrate to the Czech Republic from EU countries.
The average salary of our compatriots in the Czech Republic is 600 euros. A more accurate salary depends on the qualifications of the employee and the position he occupies.
For example, a certified specialist can expect a salary of 1,000 euros per month; general workers and service workers usually receive about 400-500 euros per month.
Hourly wages are also possible - from 2.8 to 4.5 euros per hour. Sometimes an employer provides free housing to employees. All these nuances should be clarified in advance, before signing an employment contract.
If we compare the earnings of Czechs and foreigners, the average salary of local residents is about 900 euros, the salary of specialists reaches 4,000 euros.
Real income level
- Music teacher $1300;
- Director of a comprehensive school $2,700;
- Builder-general worker $1650;
- Construction foreman $3200;
- City policeman $1200;
- Average pension $1200;
- Cleaning lady in a large company $700;
- Security guard $700.
Of course, the average salary in the Czech Republic also varies depending on the city of residence.
The largest employers in the Czech Republic in 2021 can be called large corporations - the Czech Post employs a large number of citizens (remarkably - of all age categories), the ČEZ energy enterprise also has a large staff of employees in all regions. Less popular, but also large-scale, are such employers as Skoda and the Czech Railways.
Skoda plant building in the Czech Republic
The highest salaries can be observed in the finance sector, as well as in the IT and energy sectors. Sectors such as finance and banking, telecommunications, the auto industry, and the tourism sector are experiencing a constant shortage of personnel. A person’s salary depends largely on the direction of his profession. Here, the most in demand are employees of the intellectual sphere who bring some benefit to society.
Social professions such as teachers or doctors bring in a national average salary of about 750 euros (the difference between capital and regional earnings can reach 50%).
However, there is unemployment in the Czech Republic and an excess of specialists in certain fields. Thus, the number of lawyers and economists is growing every year, however, the number of jobs for them is strictly limited. However, these specialties are the most in demand among applicants.
A shortage of personnel is observed in the chemical industry, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering.
Czech employers send requests to human resource agencies for qualified engineers, chemists, technologists and designers, but, unfortunately, their own labor market does not offer such specialists, so very often they hire those who correspond to the vacancy, but are not citizens of the country.
The main personnel shortage in the Czech Republic is among doctors. The average age of a doctor in this country is 52 years, which means that when doctors retire due to age and length of service, there is simply no one to replace them. This is due to the fact that young doctors move to other EU countries - they choose Germany and Switzerland to work, and a little less often - Ireland and the UK.
Their professional qualities allow them to earn more than in the Czech Republic (according to 2021 data - two to three times more). Therefore, foreigners can find work in the Czech Republic specifically in the field of medicine.
Also, people from neighboring countries without higher education may be happy with the salary - secondary and specialized education for people in working professions is also in price here. Masons and painters, plumbers and carpenters, joiners and builders - and this is only a small part of the list of those who can earn good money in the Czech Republic, compared to their homeland.
According to statistics from 2021, it can also be said that maids, sales floor employees and waiters are in demand here. The Czechs prefer to abstain from physical work, which is why they attract emigrant workers. For them, this method is an opportunity to move to the Czech Republic for permanent residence.
Open vacancies for foreigners in the Czech Republic
Due to the continuing outflow of Czech specialists to EU countries, the following vacancies are most in demand in 2021 in the Czech Republic:
- engineer;
- manager;
- programmer;
- Web Designer;
- doctor;
- pharmacist;
- chemist;
- ecologist.
At the same time, the easiest way for foreigners to get a job is in the fields of logistics, automotive manufacturing, information technology, heavy industry, and medicine.
Working professions that do not require knowledge of the Czech language and a nostrified diploma are relevant.
As a rule, this is the service sector, trade, manufacturing, construction.
Many foreigners get jobs:
- cooks;
- waiters;
- cleaners;
- welders;
- foundry workers;
- painters;
- masons;
- consultants;
- drivers;
- security guards;
- sellers.
Moreover, work experience is often not important for a Czech employer, so even young people who have graduated, for example, from a secondary specialized educational institution (technical school, college, college) have a chance.
Average salary in the Czech Republic
In 2021, the average rate is 32 thousand crowns per month. In fact, only residents of the central regions and the capital receive this much. Over the past 5 years, the country's economy has stabilized. The shortage of employees has affected the labor market. Companies are gradually increasing salaries in order not to lose good specialists and to attract graduates. Real incomes of workers increased by 7% over the past year.
According to unofficial data from the Czech Statistical Office, the average salary in the country does not exceed 27,890 crowns or 1,072 euros per month due to inflation. This is not the highest figure in Europe, but the standard of living exceeds Poland, Estonia, Latvia and other EU countries.
Salary in the Czech Republic by field of activity
Income in the Republic depends on qualifications, education, as well as the region of employment. The minimum bet is 12 thousand crowns (461 euros). Hourly rate – 60 CZK (2.5 euros). Standard employment is 40 hours per week.
How much do workers in the Czech Republic earn by sector of the economy (CZK per month):
- Information technology, communications – 44,000;
- Finance, investments, insurance – 53,500;
- Scientific activity – 34,900;
- Education – 33,600;
- Mining - 38,300;
- Medicine, social assistance – 30,200;
- Public administration – 32,400;
- Industry – 28,700;
- Wholesale and retail trade – 33,400;
- Real estate – 40,300;
- Construction – 36,000;
- Forestry, agriculture – 24,600;
- Culture, art – 22,200;
- Transport – 28,600;
- Public catering – 31,700.
The lowest paid industries: services and cleaning. In other areas of activity, the average salary is 22 – 28 thousand crowns per month. Payment in the Czech Republic is lower compared to Western European countries, where the rate is 3 thousand euros.
Comparison of salary growth in the Czech Republic and other countries in 2021.
There is a shortage of employees in technical and humanitarian specialties in the Czech labor market. The highest salaries are for lawyers, IT specialists, engineers of all directions and aircraft manufacturers. Senior managers and executives receive good income.
What taxes will you have to pay in the Czech Republic?
The personal income tax or personal income tax in the Czech Republic is one of the lowest in the European Union and amounts to 15%. This amount is charged from salaries, dividends, deposits, shares, and sales of apartments. Very often, residents of the country are exempt from paying this tax or pay less - for example, students, people who earn little, families with children under 26 years of age, parents of disabled people and others.
Due to the fact that deductions differ for different categories of the population, it is customary to indicate the “rough” salary in job advertisements, that is, the amount before taxes. Anyone can calculate their net salary on their own using special calculators on the Internet.
Health and social insurance taxes (pension, maternity leave, sick leave, unemployment) are also required to be levied on wages.
Who has tax benefits in the Czech Republic?
The following are exempt from tax or have significant benefits:
- students who work part-time;
- people with low wages;
- parents of disabled children or just parents (the discount depends on the number of children in the family).
See also: Seasonal work in Crimea with accommodation for summer 2020
Those whose spouse is not working also do not pay tax or have benefits. And with a minimum wage, a person is completely exempt from personal income tax.
For those who earn more than CZK 1,296,288 per year, there is an additional salary tax of 7%. True, there are not many such people.
What does the employer pay and what does the employee pay?
The employer pays part of the taxes for each employee:
- to the social insurance fund - 25%;
- to the health insurance fund – 9%.
And the worker himself pays from his salary:
- to the social insurance fund – 6.5%;
- to the health insurance fund - 4.5%.
That is, the employer pays the bulk of taxes. And this reduces social tension due to the large difference in income between the employer and the hired worker. Thus, if the salary is 20 thousand crowns, then after deducting all taxes, a person receives 15,850 crowns in hand.
Let's sum it up
Working in the Czech Republic for foreigners is a real chance to earn more than in their own country. For example, if the average driver’s salary in Russia is about 300 euros, then in the Czech Republic it starts from 800 euros; the same applies to the salary of a policeman: in Russia – up to 550 euros, in the Czech Republic – 1300 euros.
Due to the outflow of personnel in the Czech Republic, both qualified specialists and workers are constantly in demand.
The average salary of a foreigner in the Czech Republic is about 600 euros, while specialists who know the language and have confirmed their higher education diploma can earn almost 2 times more. In any case, a trip to the Czech Republic to earn money will be a useful experience and will leave an unforgettable impression.
Comparison with other countries
When comparing the salaries of specialists at various levels from the Czech Republic with the incomes of workers from other countries, it is necessary to establish the average salary. According to statistics, the value is about 1200-1500 euros, depending on the level of education and work experience. Behind the Czech Republic remain:
- Bulgaria – 650€;
- Lithuania – 700€;
- Romania – 750€;
- Latvia – 1150€.
Despite the rapid development of most areas of activity, minimized inflation and the stability of the national currency, it is not yet possible to reach the indicators of more economically developed countries:
- Estonia – 1400€;
- Spain – 2500€;
- Italy – 3150 €;
- Ireland – 3810€;
- Germany – 3820 €;
- France – 3910 €;
- Sweden – 4350€.
