Equal Pay Calculator in Czechia: A Step Toward Fairness and Transparency
by Lenka Simerska, Head of the Equal Pay Portfolio, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Czechia
In Czechia, a key instrument for promoting fair pay is the Equal Pay Calculator, provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs at rovnaodmena.cz. This interactive tool allows users to compare their earnings with national averages for similar roles, using real labor market data disaggregated by sex. It raises awareness of gender pay gaps and encourages informed dialogue on pay equity.
The current gender pay gap in the Czech Republic is 17.9%. Within specific sectors and occupational categories the gaps vary and can be even larger — a concerning trend the country aims to address through targeted measures, including this calculator.
The calculator is built on the Information System on Average Earnings (ISPV), one of the most robust labor data sets in the country. It collects quarterly wage data from employers across sectors, covering key wage determinants: occupation, education, region, age, and company size.
At the core of the calculator is a set of multivariate linear regression models, which estimate expected gross monthly wages for men and women while controlling for measurable variables. By holding constant these “legitimate” wage-differentiating factors (e.g., education or seniority), the models allow for identification of an unexplained residual gap—an indication of potential systemic or discriminatory factors.
The approach distinguishes between the public and private sectors and is stratified by 26 major occupational groups (CZ-ISCO), resulting in 78 gender- and sector-specific regression models. This granularity enables the tool to reflect structural wage characteristics within a given field, not just surface averages.
The methodology is transparent and reproducible. Detailed documentation is publicly available on the calculator's methodology page, enabling validation and scientific scrutiny.
The calculator provides women with essential insights and entry points to support informed pay discussions, particularly in new job opportunities.
For more information, visit:
Equal Pay Calculator Tool (in Czech)
Methodology Overview (in Czech)