Jersey Earnings Rise 1.2% After Inflation

Average earnings in Jersey grew by 1.2% in real terms in the year to June, according to new figures.

Statistics Jersey said in June 2026 earnings per full-time equivalent employee was 4.1% higher than in June 2025.

However, once adjusted for inflation - currently at 2.8% for the island, external - Statistics Jersey said earnings rose by 1.2%.

The Index of Average Earnings June 2026 report, external said the overall increase was lower than the preceding five-year annual average of 5.6% per year and "slightly lower" than the long-term annual average of 4.2% per year for 1991 to 2025.

It also highlighted average earnings in real terms increased by 0.9% in the private sector and 2.9% in the public sector over 12 years.

However, it said, over 25 years, average earnings in real terms in the public sector decreased by 3% while they increased by 1.2% in the private sector.

Statistics Jersey said the report was determined from earnings data collected from a large representative survey of employers and all Government of Jersey departments.

Chief statistician at Statistic Jersey, Ian Cope, said over the last 25 years real earnings had been essentially flat, meaning earnings and Retail Price Index (RPI) had increased by the same amounts over that 25-year period.

He said the new figures showed there was a faster increase in earnings than rise in prices.

This was the fourth year in which the survey was compulsory for employers to complete.

Matthew Gill, a statistician for Statistics Jersey, said, when looking back at figures going back to 2001, there had not been much a change in real-term earnings.

He said: "It's not necessarily that people are earning less.

"With inflation going up, it is generally something that people will notice more.

"A lot of the inflation recently has been things like petrol, which people notice when topping up their cars and has an effect on deliveries for food and that type of thing."

Heidi Gibaut, executive director at Law At Work, said a lot of the firm's clients had taken on secondary roles to boost their income.

She said: "When I was younger, I did two roles; but it's not a sustainable way of living.

"It's not how you will get the best out of the colleagues that you currently work with."

Gibaut said she felt it was down to employers to make sure the services and products they offered were being done at the right price to stop inflation from getting worse and "ensure colleagues are paid well".

"But it is a really, really hard balance," she added.

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Earnings Overview

Average earnings in real terms rose by 1.2% in the year to June, according to Statistics Jersey.

The report noted a 4.1% increase in earnings per full-time equivalent employee compared with June 2025.

Inflation was recorded at 2.8% for the island, external, which adjusted the real earnings growth figure.

The Index of Average Earnings June 2026 report, external stated the increase was lower than the preceding five-year annual average of 5.6% per year and slightly lower than the long-term annual average of 4.2% per year for 1991 to 2025.

Sectoral Breakdown

Average earnings in real terms increased by 0.9% in the private sector and 2.9% in the public sector over 12 years.

Over 25 years, average earnings in real terms in the public sector decreased by 3% while they increased by 1.2% in the private sector.

Commentary

Chief statistician Ian Cope said real earnings had been essentially flat over the last 25 years, with earnings and the Retail Price Index (RPI) increasing by the same amounts.

He noted a faster increase in earnings than in prices in the new figures.

Matthew Gill said there had not been much change in real-term earnings since 2001.

Heidi Gibaut of Law At Work said clients had taken on secondary roles to boost income, but noted it was not sustainable.

She emphasized the need for employers to balance pricing and pay to prevent worsening inflation.

The survey was compulsory for employers for the fourth consecutive year.

Statistics Jersey collected data from a large representative survey of employers and all Government of Jersey departments.

The report highlighted that inflation, particularly in petrol prices, had a noticeable impact on household budgets and food delivery costs.

Data Context