Salary expectations: how to answer in Finland

"What are your salary expectations?" is the hardest question for many jobseekers. Too high a figure can feel risky, and too low a figure can cost you for a long time. It is much easier to answer once you have researched the pay level and can justify your figure. This guide explains how to set your expectations and what to say in an application and an interview.

Start by looking at what similar jobs pay. The MyJob.fi Salaries page shows medians and ranges by occupation, calculated from open job adverts that state the pay. In many fields in Finland, the collective agreement also sets minimum pay and pay groups, and many trade unions publish pay recommendations or statistics. A colleague in the same field can also tell you what is realistic.

In November 2026, the median monthly pay in MyJob.fi job adverts was 5,250 euros for a software developer (middle half 4,500–5,800 euros), 3,500 euros for a sales assistant (2,000–4,860), 3,125 euros for an electrician (3,016–3,301), 2,941 euros for a registered nurse (2,941–3,251) and 2,800 euros for a customer service agent (2,482–3,500). The figures are based only on adverts that state the pay, so they are indicative rather than statistics for a whole field. See the Salaries page for current figures.

Once you know the general level, relate it to your own situation. Your expectations depend on things like work experience, special skills, the responsibility of the role, location, working hours, shift allowances, commission and employee benefits. Decide on three figures in advance: your target, an acceptable level and the lowest pay at which you would take the job. You do not have to reveal the lowest figure, but knowing it helps you decide calmly. Give your expectations as gross monthly pay unless asked otherwise.

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give them. If it does not, you can usually leave the subject for the interview. Write them briefly at the end of your application or in the form field, for example: "My salary expectation is 3,300–3,600 euros per month." Make the bottom of your range a figure you would really be happy with, because the employer may take you up on exactly that.

Give your figure calmly and justify it briefly. It is easier to defend when it rests on the market level and your skills rather than your expenses. You could say: "My salary expectation is around 3,500 euros per month. I have looked at the pay level for similar roles, and given my experience that seems justified." If the question comes too early, you can give a preliminary range and ask what range the employer has in mind for the role.

You usually do not have to accept an offer right away. You can ask for it in writing and for time to think it over. If the figure falls short of your expectations, calmly say what you had in mind and why. Besides pay, you can sometimes negotiate benefits, working hours, remote work or a pay review after the trial period. Before signing, check at least the pay structure, working hours, trial period, notice period and the applicable collective agreement.

The most common mistake is guessing a figure without any background information, which can miss in either direction. Another is justifying pay with your own expenses, because rent or a loan says nothing about the value of the work. A range that is too wide, such as 3,000–4,500 euros, does not say what you really want. Do not apologise for your expectations or forget the benefits either, because the whole package is what counts.

You can try to move the discussion to a later stage, but if the employer asks for your expectations explicitly, it is usually wisest to give them. Not answering at all can weaken your application in some recruitments.

A justified expectation does not usually decide a recruitment on its own, because pay can be discussed. If the employer's range is lower, you can ask what else the package includes and how the pay can develop.

Use the collective agreement for your field, union recommendations and the lower end of the range as your starting point. Remember to scale part-time pay to the working hours. Once you have a figure, compare it with open jobs and prepare for the other common interview questions too.