Key Facts: Finland vs Austria Wages
- Finland Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Austria Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Finland Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,900 /mo ($4,541.75 USD)
- Austria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,800 /mo ($4,425.29 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö) (2026-02-24), Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) (2026-02-24)
Finland
Austria
Updated 2026-02-24
Neither Finland nor Austria has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average salaries are higher in Finland at $4,542/mo compared to $4,425/mo in Austria. Austria has the tighter labor market, with unemployment at 5.6% compared to 9.5%.
Finland has lower GDP per capita ($65,378 vs $73,911). Finland's unemployment rate is 9.5% compared to Austria's 5.6%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Finland | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,900 /mo $4,541.75 | €3,800 /mo $4,425.29 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,700 /mo $3,144.29 | €2,500 /mo $2,911.38 |
| Median individual income /yr | €35,000 /yr $40,759.29 | €33,500 /yr $39,012.46 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Finland is higher.
Work Week
- Finland
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Working Hours Act / Työaikalaki). Regular daily working hours are 8 hours. Overtime for the first 2 hours is compensated at 150% and subsequent hours at 200%. Maximum overtime is 250 hours per calendar year. EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Austria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Arbeitszeitgesetz). Daily maximum is 8 hours (normal) or 10 hours (with overtime). Since 2018, daily working time can be extended to 12 hours and weekly to 60 hours in exceptional cases with compensatory rest. Overtime is compensated at 150% or with time off in lieu (1:1.5). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
See this comparison from Austria's perspective: Austria vs Finland
Compare Finland with...
Frequently Asked Questions
How much more does the average worker earn in Finland compared to Austria?
The average gross salary in Finland is €3,900/mo ($4,541.75 USD), compared to €3,800/mo ($4,425.29 USD) in Austria. In USD terms, workers in Finland earn approximately 3% more. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Finland and Austria is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Finland earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Austria.
How do work hours compare between Finland and Austria?
Both Finland and Austria mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Finland and Austria?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Austria has the higher GDP per capita at $73,911, which is 1.1x that of Finland at $65,378. From Finland's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.