Czechia’s wage problems: Falling behind the rest of Central Europe

Wages in Czechia are growing, but not as fast, or as far, as those in neighboring countries, according to fresh data from consulting company Forvis Mazars.

The average Czech salary climbed 6.7 percent in the first quarter of 2025, reaching CZK 46,924. After adjusting for inflation, that still amounts to a 3.9 percent real wage increase, welcome news for workers feeling the pinch of rising prices.

But when those numbers are compared to those of others in the region, the picture becomes a bit more complicated.

Slovak workers saw a 10 percent bump, bringing their average salary to EUR 1,524 (CZK 38,374). In Poland, the jump was 11 percent to EUR 1,988 (CZK 50,057), and Hungary topped the Visegrád Group with a 12 percent gain to EUR 1,781 (CZK 44,844).

It’s not just about percent increases, though. Czechs are still earning less than many of their western neighbors. In Austria, the average salary soars to EUR 5,009 (CZK 126,125), while in Germany, it reaches EUR 4,634 (CZK 116,682).

Minimum wage comparisons tell a similar story. Across Central and Eastern Europe, the average minimum wage now sits at EUR 846 (CZK 21,304), up 9 percent from last year. The Czech Republic is just shy of that mark, with a minimum wage of EUR 826 (CZK 20,800). Slovakia follows closely at EUR 816 (CZK 20,547), while Poland pulls ahead with EUR 1,094 (CZK 27,546). Austria and Germany remain far ahead, both topping EUR 2,000.

Purely domestically speaking, wages are on a positively upward trend in the country. Official data shows that, in 2024, employees nationwide got a 7-percent increase in their average gross monthly wages, with the average salary in the Czech capital now at CZK 57,232.

What’s even more notable is that real wages have grown for the first time in two years, surging almost 5 percent in the last 12 months. Czechia’s gender pay gap remains stark: the median wage for women is CZK 6,500 less than that for men.

The takeaway? Wages are moving in the right direction, but the Czech Republic still has ground to cover, especially when measured in euros. As nearby countries race ahead, the gap raises questions about labor competitiveness and whether Czech workers might start looking abroad for better pay.