Statistics Iceland has released a new issue of the Statistical Series within the category of Wages, income, and labour market. The issue, Earnings in the private sector 1998–2006, results from the Icelandic survey on wages, earnings and labour costs for the economic activities of manufacturing (D), construction (F), wholesale and retail trade; repair (G) and transport, storage and communications (I) for the years 1998–2006.  From the year 2005 the economic activity of financial intermediation (J) is also included in the results.

Results are calculated for main economic activities, occupations and sex for full-time employees.

In the year 2006 full-time employees’ average regular salaries was 297 thousand ISK and total salaries was 383 thousand ISK. Total hours paid were 45 hours per week. Total salaries, which include all regular and irregular payments were highest in the economic activity of financial intermediation (J), 530 thousand ISK at average per month. Total salaries were lowest in the economic activity of wholesale and retail trade; repair (G), 337 thousand ISK.

The distribution of salaries has increased between the years 1998–2006.  In 1998 the most frequent total salaries were in the interval 95–145 thousand ISK. About 32% of the employees had total salaries in that interval. In 2006, without the economic activity of financial intermediation, the most frequent salaries were in the interval 245–295 thousand ISK and 18% of the employees had salaries in that interval.
 
Earnings in the private sector 1998–2006  - Statistical Series