Czechia poised for wage growth next year: Will you get a pay rise?

Czechia’s average gross wage, currently hovering around CZK 45,500 per month, has shown steady growth in real terms this year. However, one question on many expat readers’ minds for 2025 will invariably be: “Will I get paid more next year?”

Experts in recruitment and economics have different opinions on whether most employees will see a pay rise in 2025, and if so, by how much. Analysts also point out that any potential wage increases will depend on the industry and location.

The Ministry of Finance forecasts that the average salary in the Czech Republic will approach CZK 50,000 per month next year. Economists expect wages to rise by 5.5 to 6 percent on average in 2025. 

"Companies are increasingly offering higher salaries to qualified workers due to a shortage of talent," Štěpán Křeček, an economist at finance firm BH Securities, told Czech media outlet Deník.cz. He added: "Wages rise especially when employees change jobs, which is pushing overall salary levels up."

The fastest wage growth is occurring in sectors like IT, engineering, logistics, e-commerce, and finance, where demand for skilled workers is high. In contrast, industries such as agriculture, general administration, and manufacturing are seeing slower wage growth. 

Small and medium-sized businesses are also planning to raise wages in 2025. According to a survey by the ČSOB Company Expectations Index, four in 10 of these businesses intend to increase wages. However, more than half of businesses are either unsure or do not plan to raise wages at all.

Location also plays a key role in wage differences. While salaries are rising outside of Prague, the capital remains by far the highest-paying area, with average wages touching CZK 56,000.

Despite these regional and sectoral differences, there is optimism for broader wage growth. A survey by Randstad Czech Republic found that 70 percent of employees expect a pay rise in 2025, with nearly a third anticipating an increase of about 8 percent.

However, not all businesses are prepared to offer significant raises. A report by the recruitment-based Comp&Ben Association suggests that while some companies will continue to raise wages, the pace may slow due to economic challenges.

"Some employers may not be able to afford large wage hikes due to the economic slowdown and the end of the post-inflation surge," said Tomáš Jurčík, director of Comp&Ben. He also noted that positions requiring highly specialized skills, particularly in technology, will likely continue to see strong wage growth.