Local government sector wages and salaries: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Local government sector wages and salaries
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The statistics have been discontinued. The statistics on local government sector wages and salaries describe the numbers, earnings and wages and salaries of employees of municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties and joint county authorities for wellbeing services. The data are collected from municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties and joint county authorities for wellbeing services and published once a year.
Sector coverage (SIMS 3.3)
The statistics on local government sector wages and salaries are a complete dataset, covering all municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties and joint county authorities for wellbeing services.
Statistical unit (SIMS 3.5)
A wage and salary earner/a person. Each person has their own personal identification number that can be used to combine their data with other personal data.
Statistical population (SIMS 3.6)
Monthly-paid and hourly-paid wage and salary earners in the local government sector
Reference area (SIMS 3.7)
The reference area for the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries is the whole of Finland.
Time coverage (SIMS 3.8)
Data are published once a year, typically in April to May, with data on wages and salaries concerning October in the previous year. Due to incomplete data, the release time of the statistics for 2022 was in November 2023. The release time of the statistics for 2023 is in September 2024 due to the partly different data collection period. Further information about the different data collection period under Reference period.
Unit of measure (SIMS 4)
The earnings of monthly-paid employees are indicated in euros, the earnings of hourly-paid in euros and cents.
Reference period (SIMS 5)
The reference period for the statistics is October of the statistical year. Part of the data for the statistical reference year 2023 were collected for October 2023 and some exceptionally for February 2024. Data were collected from municipalities and joint municipal authorities based on the situation in October.
Data were collected from wellbeing services counties and joint county authorities for wellbeing services for February 2024, because data could not be collected for the end of the year during the transition period of the doctors' agreement. Between October and February, there were centralised items implemented as text changes in local government on union level in February 2024.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
Basic pay
Basic pay describes task-specific minimum pay, taking into consideration any related additional responsibilities, cost-of-living category of the location of workplace or possible deductions for lack of qualifications. Basic pay does not include personal bonuses, increments for years of service or similar pay components. Basic pay is determined by the tasks of a position holder or employee and the conditions of collective labour agreements. Basic pay is often determined by the degree of competence required of the position holder or employee.
Bonuses and allowances not paid in each pay period
Bonuses and allowances not paid in each pay period are such as performance-based bonuses, holiday bonus and holiday supplement and seniority increments paid in some hourly paid fields. Payment of one-off pay components can also be based on collectively bargained agreements. Index of wage and salary earnings: The index of wage and salary earnings measures the development of earnings from regular working hours regardless of the mode of payment. Components paid on the basis of performance are included in the earnings concept so that they are divided evenly over the whole calendar year. Similarly, bonuses and allowances not paid in each pay period based on collective agreements are evenly divided for the whole year. All these components belonging to the concept of index of wage and salary earnings, such as holiday bonuses are not included in data on wages and salaries used in the calculation of the index, but they are taken into consideration in index calculation only in case changes in their relative share are agreed in collective bargaining. In the index of wage and salary earnings contractual pay increases paid retrospectively are also taken to the quarter when they were earned. Labour cost survey: In the concepts of the labour cost survey compensations for termination of an employment relationship belonging to bonuses and allowances not paid in each pay period are included in social costs. Labour cost index: In the labour cost index bonuses and allowances not paid in each pay period also include contractual pay increases paid retrospectively from previous pay periods. The labour cost index also contains incentive stock options according to their exercise value. ------ Bonuses and allowances not paid in each pay period are not published in the statistics on private sector and local government wages and salaries. These components are not included in the index of regular earnings.
Collective agreement sector
Collective agreement sector is determined in the collective labour agreement applied in the employment relationship concerned. In the municipal sector the collective agreement sectors are specified in the main contract between the Commission for Local Authority Employers and employee organisations. A collective labour agreement is an agreement between an employee organisation and an employer or an employer organisation on the sector-specific terms of employment. Among others, the pay, working hours, vacations and other benefits that apply within the scope of the agreement are agreed on in the collective agreement. The agreements are often sector specific, but are also bound by the occupational status of the wage or salary earner concerned and are concluded for a fixed period.
Earnings for regular hours worked
Earnings for regular hours worked describe the wages paid for regular working hours. See Regular weekly working hours. Earnings for regular hours worked for each pay period include - basic pay - supplements based on duties, professional skill, years of service, etc. - supplements based on location and conditions of workplace - premium pay - performance-based pay components - taxation value for fringe benefits - pay for working hours not worked. Earnings for regular hours worked do not include earnings for extra or overtime work or one-off pay items, such as holiday bonus and performance-based bonuses. Cf. Total earnings.
Employee
A wage and salary earner (employee) is a person, who has an employment relationship with an employer and who is compensated for work performed. Wage and salary earners are either salaried employees or workers of the employer. In statistics on wages and salaries, wage and salary earners are as a rule not divided into salaried employees and workers. A division can, however, be made according to profession or pay system. In statistics on wages and salaries, entrepreneurs paying their own salaries are not classified as wage and salary earners, as their earnings usually differ too much from the earnings of other similar wage and salary earners. In these statistics a single wage and salary earner may have several employment relationships that are, however, all treated as separate instances of wage and salary earner in the statistics. Self-employed persons who pay even part of their earnings as salary to themselves are recorded as wage and salary earners in the labour cost statistics.
Employer sector
Employer sector describes the structure of the labour market and is determined by the decision-making unit. The classification of employer sectors used in statistics on wages and salaries and in statistics on labour costs is a national adaptation of the Classification of Sectors that is used in economic and social statistics (Classification of Sectors 2000). The classification used in statistics on wages and salaries has the following structure: Local government sector Operating units of municipalities and joint municipal boards, and municipal enterprises Central government sector Agencies and institution financed from the State budget Private sector Private enterprises, enterprises with central or local government majority holding and state enterprises. Non-profit corporations, parishes, and organisations and foundations are also included in the private sector in statistics on wages and salaries. The structure of the classification of sectors used in statistics on labour costs and in the labour cost index is similar to that of the classification used in statistics on wages and salaries. In the index of wage and salary earnings, non-profit corporations, parishes and organisations form a separate employer sector of their own (Others).
Full-time
Statistics on private sector wages and salaries: For private sector monthly wage earners, the definition of full-time employment is based on weekly working hours, as in the structural statistics of wages and salaries. In these statistics, wage and salary earners whose regular weekly working hours exceed 90 per cent of the general working time in the industry are defined as working full-time. Information on other wage and salary earners' full-time employment is obtained through inquiries or defined according to the employment relationship. If a wage and salary earner's regular weekly working hours are not known, also information on earnings is used to define full-time employment. The distinction between full-time and part-time employment is not made separately for private sector hourly wage earners. Statistics on public sector wages and salaries: For wage and salary earners in the public sector, full-time and part-time employment is defined on the basis of the character and conditions of the employment relationship. Information on full-time and part-time employment is usually obtained through inquiries. Labour cost survey: In statistics on labour cost, an employee whose working hours are specified in the collective agreement for government employees or the collective agreement, or the regular working time of the unit in question, is defined as working full-time. Cf. Part-time
Hourly wage earner
The earnings of an hourly wage earner are mainly based on the hours actually worked. In addition, an hourly wage earner may have earnings for working time not worked. Compensation for work can be paid several times a month. The pay system of employment relationships based on contract pay often includes the basic part of hourly pay and those with contract pay are defined as hourly wage earners in the statistics.
Hours worked
Statistics on wages and salaries: In statistics on wages and salaries, statistics on earnings in the industries which pay hourly wages are compiled for hours actually worked. Hours actually worked refers to the working time an employee has spent on his/her actual duties. Hours actually worked include time and piece rate work and contract work hours as well as Sunday and overtime hours. Working hours are based on the Working Hours Act. Labour cost survey: Hours actually worked refer to the working time an employee has spent on his/her actual duties. They also include Sunday and overtime work. Hours actually worked include time spent in training, but not unpaid overtime. In labour cost statistics, hours actually worked can be defined also as paid hours minus paid leave.
Monthly wage earner
Monthly wage earners are remunerated for work performed on a monthly basis. Earnings are usually based on one month's working time and tend to stay the same from month to month.
Occupation
In statistics on wages and salaries, descriptions of occupations of wage or salary earners are based on field-specific titles of occupations, posts and tasks, and on the Classification of Occupations of Statistics Finland (Classification of Occupations 2001). The approximate number of the used field-specific occupational titles is 15,000. In respect of the private sector the occupational titles used in statistics on wages and salaries derive from the nomenclature of occupations and tasks of the fields covered by the collective labour agreements of the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, the nomenclature of tasks of Kirkon työmarkkinalaitos (labour market organisation of the Church) and the nomenclature of occupations of Näyttämöväen Vanhuudenturvasäätiö (foundation for pension security of stage and screen employees). The titles of occupations and tasks in the local government sector are based on the Local Government Pensions Institution's classification of occupations. The titles of occupations and tasks in the central government sector comply with the titles of occupations or tasks of letters of appointment or collective labour agreements. The occupations in statistics on wages and salaries are classified basing on these nomenclatures of occupational titles by taking into consideration the employer sector, educational qualification and industry of the wage and salary earner. Field-specific titles of occupations or tasks are not published in statistics on wage and salary structures, where only the classification of occupations is used in describing occupations.
Part-time
Statistics on private sector wages and salaries: For private sector monthly wage and salary earners, the definition of part-time employment is generally based on weekly working hours, as in the structural statistics of wages and salaries. In these statistics, wage and salary earners whose regular weekly working hours are over 10 per cent shorter than the general working time in the industry are defined as working part-time. Information on other wage and salary earners' part-time employment is obtained through inquiries or defined according to the employment relationship. If a wage and salary earner's regular weekly working hours are not known, also information on earnings is used to define part-time employment. The division between full-time and part-time employment is not made separately for private sector hourly wage earners. Statistics on public sector wages and salaries: For public sector wage and salary earners, full-time and part-time employment is defined on the basis of the character and conditions of the employment relationship. Information on full-time and part-time employment is usually obtained through inquiries. Labour cost survey: In statistics on labour cost, an employee whose working hours are shorter than the working hours specified in the collective agreement for government employees or the collective agreement, or the general working time of the unit in question, is defined as working part-time. Cf. Full-time
Regular weekly working hours
Regular weekly working hours are based on the Working Hours Act and collective agreements, and they are often in line with a specific working time system or working time mode. Sometimes regular weekly working hours can be agreed on separately and they may differ from the general working time of the industry. Earnings for regular hours worked are based on regular weekly working hours. See Earnings for regular hours worked. Cf. Total working hours.
Total earnings
Total earnings describe the wages and salaries paid for regular working hours and other working hours, such as overtime and extra work. See Total working hours. Total earnings for each pay period include - basic pay - supplements based on duties, professional skill, years of service, etc. - supplements based on location and conditions of workplace - premium pay - performance-based pay components - taxation value for fringe benefits - earnings for extra and overtime work - compensation for on-call or urgent work - other irregularly paid supplements - pay for working hours not worked. Total earnings do not include one-off pay items, such as holiday and performance-based bonuses. Cf. Earnings for regular hours worked.
Type of employment relationship
Type of employment relationship describes the legal relationship between an employee and employer. In statistics on wages and salaries employment relationships are referred to as either permanent /valid indefinitely or fixed-term. An employment relationship may also concern specific employee categories such as trainees, trainees on apprenticeship contracts, persons with disabilities or those employed with employment promotion subsidies. The data is usually directly obtained from inquiries for statistics on wages and salaries. In statistics on the structure of earnings, data on persons employed with employment promotion subsidies are supplemented by data obtained from the register of job seekers of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. Contractual employment relationship is the corresponding concept referred to in the statistics on wages and salaries in the private sector. Cf. atypical employment in the Labour Force Survey (fixed-term and/or part-time).
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Legal acts and other agreements (SIMS 6.1)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Data sharing (SIMS 6.2)
Unit-level data without identification data can be submitted for research and statistical surveys in accordance with Statistics Finland's user licence procedure and Section 13 of the Statistics Act (280/2004).
Cost and burden (SIMS 16)
It can be estimated that the production stage of the statistics on local government wages and salaries takes around 340 staff-days.
Source data (SIMS 18.1)
The data are obtained from the payroll systems of municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties and joint county authorities for wellbeing services through direct data collection.
Frequency of data collection (SIMS 18.2)
Data on local government sector wages and salaries are collected annually.
Data collection (SIMS 18.3)
Data are collected through direct data collection using data collection pages. The data collection pages are located on a Posti Messaging server.
Data validation (SIMS 18.4)
The quality of the dataset for the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries is assessed using a feedback report as statistical production progresses. The feedback report includes information on employer-specific earnings by earnings concept, pricing identifier and pay factor. At the last stage, final inspections are conducted for the dataset, and any outliers are removed.
Data compilation (SIMS 18.5)
During production, the dataset is reviewed using SAS-based feedback report software. The feedback report includes an earnings comparison by earnings concept (sector in total, employer, contractual field), a pricing identifier comparison, a pay factor comparison, and a review of the regular procedure fees of health centre physicians and dentists.
Additional elements can be included in the report if this is considered necessary during the review. Any corrections and additional findings will be entered directly into the production database pa50 using SQL. SQL-based correction codes are available for frequently repeated errors (e.g. payment periods).
Missing data have not been imputed in the dataset. If any serious quality errors are discovered in the dataset, and the dataset cannot be replaced with corrected data, the status code of the dataset will be changed to 3 (not included in the dataset). For example, such a procedure is necessary when premium pay during regular and irregular working hours is missing from a contractual field. The data will be supplemented regarding any missing or incomplete pricing identifiers, occupation codes and wage factors. Finally, any outliers will be reviewed and removed from the dataset. Outliers will be reviewed using SAS software developed specifically for this purpose.
User needs (SIMS 12.1)
The Local Government and County Employers KT (representing municipal and wellbeing services county employers) and local government labour market organisations. The data of the statistics on wages and salaries are an important data source in the negotiations on collective agreements.
The data of the statistics are used in the compilation of the index of wage and salary earnings and thus the data are widely used in Statistics Finland’s other statistics and nationally by the committee on income and cost development (TUKUSETO), for example. In addition, the data of the statistics are part of the structure of earnings statistics through which extensive information service and statistical reporting tasks are carried out.
The structure of earnings statistics are also used by Statistics Finland's research services and the structure of earnings data are submitted annually as part of Eurostat’s statistics.
User satisfaction (SIMS 12.2)
User satisfaction has not been collected separately about the statistics, but we receive annual feedback from key data users in the field, the Local Government and County Employers KT and employees' organisations in the field.
Overall accuracy (SIMS 13.1)
The data are mainly sent from local government employers’ payroll systems by means of data transfers. Key errors in the dataset include the payment period related to premium pay, meaning that the reported period does not correspond to the reported euros, or the dataset includes retroactive pay components. The aim is to identify these during a review and replace them with a corrected dataset.
Processing error (SIMS 13.3.4)
Examples of possible errors in statistical releases include erroneous figures in release texts, figures or tables, or use of incorrect concepts.
Errors are corrected and users are informed about them as quickly as possible. Statistics Finland provides information on any significant errors to the same extent and through the same channels as in releases of the original data.
Notes about corrections and their dates are added to the corrected releases. If possible, the original, erroneous data are also left visible.
Typographical and other form errors in statistics are corrected as fast and flexibly as possible and no separate notifications are made of them on the web pages.
Information about changes made to statistical databases is posted on the Changes in the database page. Only the latest data are updated in databases.
Deviations from timetables are also regarded as errors. If the release of statistical data is significantly delayed from the announced point of time, information about the delay is posted on Statistics Finland's home page.
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland
Quality assessment (SIMS 11.2)
The quality of the dataset for the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries is assessed using a feedback report as statistical production progresses. The feedback report includes information on municipality-specific earnings by earnings concept, pricing identifier and pay factor.
At the last stage, final inspections are conducted for the dataset, and any outliers are removed.
Data revision - policy (SIMS 17.1)
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
Timeliness (SIMS 14.1)
The release of the statistical year is published approximately six months after the end of the reference period.
Punctuality (SIMS 14.2)
The release of the statistics on wages and salaries for 2022 on 27 April 2023 was postponed to 6 June 2023 and further to 4 September 2023, 4 October 2023 and 1 November 2023. The reason for the delay was the incomplete data from a significant data supplier. There has not been any other delay in the release of the statistics and the data have been published on the days indicated in the release calendar.
Comparability - geographical (SIMS 15.1)
In principle, the data are comparable between Finland’s different regions and municipalities. At EU level, the comparison takes place through the EU’s Structure of Earnings statistics, which also include Finland’s Structure of Earnings statistics. For further information, see the Structure of Earnings statistics.
Comparability - over time (SIMS 15.2)
The statistics on local government sector wages and salaries have been published since 1973.
In 2007, the calculation of earnings was changed so that the earnings of teachers composed of weekly overtime hours were regarded as earnings during regular working hours. Teachers’ earnings during regular working hours are therefore not comparable with the preceding years’ data.
In 2023, the calculation of earnings was changed so that overtime hours paid as one-off hourly fees were calculated for teachers as earnings during regular working hours. These were previously defined as overtime and irregular premiums. Changes in the calculation of earnings have had an effect on the averages of teachers' earnings for regular and irregular working hours in the whole local government sector. Changes have not had an effect on total earnings.
In 2014, the position of a few pay factors in different earnings concepts was adjusted. This correction resulted in a roughly 0.5 per cent increase in earnings during regular working hours for teachers and a roughly 0.1 per cent increase in the local government sector as a whole compared with previous years.
Since 2015, the classification of occupations in the statistics has been included in employment statistics. This change affected the classification of some 27,000 employees in the 2015 statistics, some of which concerned specifications in the classification from a more approximate level. The most significant changes concerned the two-digit level in the classification of occupations regarding the following occupations: 53 (-4,400), i.e. care service and healthcare employees, from which wage and salary earners mainly transferred to occupational group 91 (+4,100), i.e. cleaners, domestic helpers and other cleaners.
The classifications of occupations in the 2014 and 2015 statistics are therefore not fully comparable.
Since the statistical reference year 2017, Statistics Finland’s 2016 national classification of education has been used in the statistics. The classification includes a new level ‘4 Post-secondary non-tertiary education’. Fields of education have undergone more changes. For example, data processing and data communications have been divided into separate categories. As a result, education data are not fully comparable with previous years. The division of education levels and fields in the 2016 national classification of education follows the international ISCED 2011 classification.
Data on local government sector wages and salaries are used in calculating the index of wage and salary earnings. It measures the development of earnings paid for wage and salary earners’ regular working hours. The data included in the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries are also published in the structure of earnings statistics.
Coherence – cross domain (SIMS 15.3)
The data included in the statistics, together with private sector and central government sector wages and salaries, are presented in harmonised comparable format in the structure of earnings statistics.
Coherence - internal (SIMS 15.4)
The data included in the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries are published as part of the structure of earnings statistics. The data in the structure of earnings statistics are internally uniform. A uniform concept of ‘total earnings’ is applied to data from different sources. This facilitates comparability between different data sources.
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.
Frequency of dissemination (SIMS 9)
The data in the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries are published annually on Statistics Finland’s website.
Online database (SIMS 10.3)
The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.
Micro-data access (SIMS 10.4)
Municipalities, joint municipal authorities, wellbeing services counties and joint county authorities for wellbeing services can order reports tailored from their own wages and salaries data, such as the gender equality report. In addition, the data are available as unit-level data with a user licence, either from a statistical unit or from research services, as part of the structure of earnings statistics.
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment (SIMS 7.2)
For reasons of data protection and reliability, data are not published or distributed in the statistics on local government sector wages and salaries in case:
- The data are based on data on fewer than 30 employees
- The data are based on fewer than three enterprises
- One enterprise covers 80 per cent of all data observations.