TEK gathers statistics of salaries and the salary development of our members. We analyze this information and give our recommendations of the salaries for trainees and recent graduate engineers.
Starter salary recommendation
TEK has made a recommendation for a starter salary of EUR 3,800-4,300 per month. The recommendation is valid during a period from 1 December 2023 to 31 May 2024.
Please note, that the salaries vary depending on the region or the field of work. The recommended starter salary is intended for recent graduates working in expert tasks in senior salaried positions, matching with their education. The recommendation is also given on the basis that the recent graduate does not yet have much work experience in the field. The starter salaries may be higher for more demanding jobs in certain fields, for those who already have a lot of work experience, as well as for those who work in the Helsinki region.
We encourage you to use the starting salary recommendation as a starting point in salary negotiations and compare it with your own salary expectations as well as with your skills and experience. In salary negotiations, it is also good to take into account the possible fringe or other benefits the employer may provide, in addition to the salary.
We recommend you will also utilise our further salary services in forming your salary request. You can dive into salary data in different fields and positions with Salary Surveyor or ask for more detailed information from our salary experts.
The recommended starter salary is based on TEK's labour market survey and a questionnaire to recent graduates regarding actual basic salaries. Official forecasts of future economic developments are also considered. We at TEK aim to improve our members' salary development and this is taken into account when forming the starter salary recommendation.
Recommended salaries for trainees and for thesis work
TEK gives salary recommendations for work in the same field as your studies. It can be, for example, a summer job or a traineeship.
TEK has confirmed the following recommended salaries for trainees for 2024:
| Study points | Basic salary (€/month) |
| 0-59 | 2 330 |
| 60-119 | 2 480 |
| 120-179 | 2 650 |
| 180-239 | 2 750 |
| 240-300 | 3 000 |
| Thesis work | 3 100 |
Our salary recommendations are based on TEK's student members' summer job salaries and the projected future changes on the salary level. Salary recommendations for trainees are a good starting point for salary requests.
When presenting your salary request, consider factors such as previous professional experience, work alongside your studies, additional studies, and the complexity of the job.
Due to the higher costs of living the salary level in the Helsinki region is approximately six percent higher than in the rest of the country. Note that potential fringe benefits, such as meal allowances or phone benefits, are not included in the salary recommendation.
Check out Ornamo's internship salary recommendations for design students
Recommended salary for a master's thesis
The recommended salary for a thesis is EUR 3 100 per month in 2024. If in addition to the thesis, the employee carries out other duties, they should be recognized in the salary as an increasing factor.