The salaries of teachers in Estonia in year 2009

The minimum salary rates of teachers compared with the year 2008 increased by 8 percent on 1 January 2009. Due to recession in economy and state budget cuts the first reduction of 4 percent took place in March 2009 and since 1 July 2009 the second reduction of 4 percent took place by the decree of the Government of the Estonian Republic minimum salary rates teachers were lowered to the salary levels received in year 2008.

According to the grade assigned to full-time teachers at evaluation the minimum salary rates since 1 July 2009 are the following:

Junior teacher EUR 610

TeacherEUR 646

Senior-teacher EUR 738

Teacher-methodologist EUR 892

Extra money paid for class teacher is:

Junior teacher EUR 61

Teacher EUR 65

Senior-teacher EUR 74

Teacher-methodologist EUR 89

According to the forecast by the Ministry of Finance of Estonia, the average salary of employees in Estonia is EUR 780, in the year 2009.

At the same time local municipalities in several parts of Estonia have been able to maintain the minimum rates of teachers’ salaries of March 2009. For example in the capital of Estonia Tallinn where the majority of teachers work the salaries were not reduced. In these cases trade unions have played an important part in negotiations with local authorities.