Job Ad Promises One Salary, Interview Offers Minimum Wage: What Does Latvian Law Say?
A social media discussion has spread about cases where salaries advertised in job postings are replaced with minimum wage offers during interviews. Latvia's State Labour Inspectorate clarifies that while the law requires a salary range in ads, the exact figure is only fixed in the employment contract.
A wide-ranging social media discussion has emerged in Latvia over cases where a job advertisement states one salary, but during the interview the employer offers a significantly lower amount, often the minimum wage. The discussion was sparked by a woman who described her own experience of pointing out the discrepancy between the advertised and offered salary during an interview, only to receive a displeased reaction from the employer.
In the comments, several users said they had faced similar situations — from salary reductions appearing later in the employment contract to job ads listing figures that include bonuses and allowances, creating a misleading impression of the actual base salary. Some participants suggested employers rely on candidates' emotional investment and time already spent, which can push them to accept less favorable terms.
What the law requires
Under Article 32 of Latvia's Labour Law, job advertisements must state a salary range — from the lowest to the highest amount. The State Labour Inspectorate explains that the exact salary is only fixed in the employment contract, so an offer matching the lower end of the advertised range is not itself a violation. However, if the offered amount falls below the entire stated range, the candidate has grounds to request an explanation. In 2026, the minimum monthly wage in Latvia is 780 euros gross.
Salary levels in Latvia
According to the Central Statistical Bureau, the average gross salary in the second quarter of 2026 was 1,886 euros, while the median gross salary was 1,527 euros. The highest salaries are found in telecommunications and finance, the lowest in accommodation and food services. Regional differences are also significant — the average salary in Riga exceeds that in Latgale by more than 700 euros.
Survey data from the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) shows salary plays a decisive role in job changes, cited by half of respondents as the main reason. At the same time, only about a third of respondents said they trust information about the labor market provided by employers.
