Indonesian Workers' Wages Show Moderate Growth with Sectoral Disparities

National Wage Trends

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) released its latest findings on Indonesian workers' wages based on the National Labor Force Survey (Sakernas) conducted in August 2025. The survey revealed that the average monthly wage for workers/employees stood at Rp 3.33 million, marking a 1.94% increase from Rp 3.27 million recorded in August 2024. This growth indicates a steady, though modest, improvement in wage levels across the Indonesian workforce.

Gender Wage Disparity

The BPS report highlighted a persistent gender wage gap in the Indonesian labor market. Male workers' average wages reached Rp 3.59 million, significantly higher than the Rp 2.86 million average for female workers. This disparity underscores ongoing challenges in achieving wage equality between genders in the Indonesian workforce.

Sectoral Wage Variations

The survey also revealed significant variations in wages across different industry sectors. Workers employed in the Information and Communication sector enjoyed the highest average wages at Rp 5.28 million. This sector continues to lead in wage levels, likely due to its high demand for skilled labor and technological expertise. Conversely, workers in the Other Services Activities sector received the lowest average wages at Rp 1.97 million, highlighting potential areas for policy focus to address wage disparities.

Wage Growth by Industry

Analysis of wage changes over the past year showed that eleven industry sectors experienced wage increases. The sectors with the most significant wage growth were:

1. Education: +6.72%
2. Government Administration: +6.55%
3. Information and Communication: +5.93%

These increases suggest positive developments in various sectors, particularly those related to public services and high-tech industries. The overall wage growth pattern indicates a mixed but generally positive trend in labor compensation across Indonesia's diverse economic landscape.