Analysis: Air Traffic Controllers with the Highest Salaries in 2022, Averaging Nearly 3,100 Euros

The highest average monthly salary in 2022 was held by air traffic controllers, amounting to 3,084 euros, followed by IT directors at 3,022 euros and regional directors at 2,717 euros, while the lowest-paid workers were textile technicians and seamstresses, according to an analysis by the portal MojPosao.

According to data from the MojaPlaća service, in 2022, the average monthly net salary including salary supplements in Croatia was 998 euros, which is five percent higher than the previous year.

However, despite this increase, nearly two-thirds of citizens still earn less than 1,000 euros, it was emphasized.

In addition to managerial positions, where salaries are on average 123 percent higher than average, the highest-paid professions are those in technology and development, which are 78 percent above average, information technology at 38 percent, and telecommunications at 17 percent.

The lowest average salaries in Croatia are held by textile workers, 38 percent below average, workers in auxiliary occupations at 35 percent, and employees in service activities, whose salaries are on average 30 percent below average.

Looking at occupations, the highest monthly salary last year was held by air traffic controllers at 3,084 euros, IT directors at 3,022 euros, and regional directors at 2,717 euros.

On the other hand, the lowest-paid workers were textile technicians, with an average monthly salary of 577 euros, followed by seamstresses at 579 euros, hairdressers at 594 euros, and security guards at 615 euros.

Salaries in private companies with foreign ownership are eight percent higher than average

As reported by the portal MojPosao, salaries in private companies with foreign ownership were eight percent higher than average, averaging 1,082 euros. On the other hand, the earnings of employees in predominantly domestic-owned companies were four percent lower than average, at 954 euros, while average salaries in state-owned companies were around 941 euros, which is six percent below average, and the monthly earnings of employees in public and local government amounted to 929 euros, which is seven percent below average.

The lowest salaries, at 20 percent below average, were in the Virovitica-Podravina County, and by 17 percent in the Brod-Posavina and Požega-Slavonia counties.

On the other hand, the highest average salary last year was recorded in the City of Zagreb, amounting to 1,110 euros, which is 11 percent above average.

As expected, the portal MojPosao writes, respondents with extensive work experience and higher education levels have higher salaries compared to those with shorter tenure and lower education. Thus, workers with completed postgraduate studies or some business school had an average salary 63 percent higher than average. Individuals with a higher education degree have an average salary 17 percent higher than average, at 1,167 euros, and 37 percent higher than workers with a secondary education, who average 851 euros.

The research also showed that inexperienced workers at the beginning of their careers earn 815 euros, which is 18 percent less than average, while those with one to two years of experience have a salary of 897 euros, ten percent below average.

The average Croatian salary of 989 euros is reached with three to five years of work experience, after which above-average earnings begin. Thus, the average salary of those with ten years of work experience amounts to 1,113 euros, which is 11 percent above average.

Certain benefits from employers are received by 78 percent of workers

The number of employed respondents who, in addition to salary, receive certain benefits from their employer slightly increased last year compared to the previous year – to 78 percent in 2022 from 77 percent in 2021.

The most common benefit for workers in Croatia is reimbursement for travel expenses and public transport, followed by a mobile phone for personal use and a hot meal, with the latter benefit, which 22 percent of workers are entitled to, having increased the most compared to last year.

Employers least often cover costs for cultural and/or sports activities (one percent) and private pension insurance (two percent), reported the portal MojPosao.