Which sectors of the economy offer the best pay in Georgia?

Georgia’s top three highest-paying occupations are in the fields of financial intermediation, construction, and transport and communication, finds the latest survey which reflects the first quarter (Q1) of 2017 average monthly salary data.

The average monthly nominal salary of employees in the financial intermediation sector was 1,907.5 GEL (about $790/€707*), while in the construction sector people receive an average salary of 1,498.5 GEL (about $621/€555*), and in transport and communication - 1,332.4 GEL (about $552/€493*).

Overall, in Q1 of 2017 the average monthly salary in Georgia was 989.4 GEL (about $410/€366*), showed the National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat).

In Q1 2017 the average monthly salary per other sectors was:

• Public administration – 1,295.3 GEL
• Mining and quarrying – 1,226.8 GEL
• Real estate, renting, and business activities – 1,196.2 GEL
• Production and distribution of electricity, gas, and water – 1,115.6 GEL
• Fishing – 955.2 GEL
• Health and social work – 934.4 GEL
• Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and personal, household goods – 853.5 GEL
• Manufacturing – 826.1 GEL
• Other community, social, and personal service activities – 781.9 GEL
• Hotels and restaurants – 740.7 GEL
• Agriculture, hunting, and forestry – 657.9 GEL
• Education – 563.9 GEL

Meanwhile, men earned almost 431 GEL more than women each month, the figures show.

In 2017 Q1, female workers earned an average salary of 759.9 GEL (about $314/€281*) per month, while male workers earned 1,191.5 GEL (about $493/€441*), said Geostat.

Geostat further revealed that a person needed at least 173.2 GEL (about $71/€64*) to support themselves in Georgia each month.

The minimum subsistence level is calculated based on the minimum cost of items in the food basket, defined by Georgian law since 2004. The indicator did not include monthly mortgage or rent costs, or utility bills.

For the average consumer, the minimum subsistence level was 153.5 GEL in May 2017, while an average family needed at least 290.6 GEL to survive.

*Currency conversions reflect National Bank of Georgia values as of today.