CVKeskus.ee has revealed Estonia’s most attractive employers for the 14th time, based on feedback from more than 6,900 employees.
LHV Pank has claimed first place for the fourth year in a row, with Swedbank and Telia Eesti close behind. This year’s ranking also welcomed two new entrants from the retail sector. The findings reveal a shift in workplace priorities: while remote work has become less important over the past year, expectations for a modern, well-designed work environment are on the rise.
Alongside LHV Pank, Swedbank and Telia Eesti, the top ten most attractive employers also include Wise (4th), Bolt (5th), Enefit (6th), Elisa Eesti (7th), Coop (8th), Tallink Grupp (9th) and Coop Pank (10th).
Also ranked among the most attractive employers were Tele2 Eesti (11th), Pipedrive (12th), Tallinna Lennujaam (13th), SEB Pank (14th), Merko Ehitus (15th), ABB (16th), Nortal (17th), Helmes (18th), Selver (19th) and Playtech (20th). The biggest climbers over the year were Coop Pank (+4), Merko Ehitus (+4) and ABB (+4).
According to Henry Auväärt, CMO of CVKeskus.ee, Estonia’s list of the most attractive employers has in recent years been clearly dominated by the IT and banking sectors. That trend continues this year, with two-thirds of the top-ranked companies coming from these fields. What stands out, however, is the arrival of two retail leaders—Coop and Selver—who joined the ranking as new entrants among Estonia’s most attractive employers.
Auväärt added that employees’ expectations have shifted slightly this year. “Flexible work arrangements remain very important, but their appeal is starting to fade a little. The importance of remote work has dropped by as much as six percentage points over the past year, while expectations for a modern work environment have increased,” he explained. “This is also influenced by recent developments, where several attractive employers have moved into new offices or announced plans to do so in the near future. Such steps inevitably raise employees’ expectations as well.”
Employee expectations differ significantly across occupational groups. While flexible work arrangements are most important for office workers, employees in the service sector value development opportunities, a supportive team and competitive pay the most. For skilled workers, the most important factor is a modern work environment, followed by development opportunities and salary.
In addition to the TOP 20 most attractive employers, CVKeskus.ee also identified the best employers across ten different sectors. While the overall ranking was based on an unaided method, where respondents had to write in the company name themselves, the sector-specific rankings were compiled using an aided method, where employers could be selected from a predefined list.
Employees chose Swedbank as the most attractive employer in the banking and financial sector (including financial technology), followed by LHV Pank, Wise, Coop Pank, SEB Pank, If P&C Insurance, Eesti Pank, Luminor, Bigbank and Nordea.
From the perspective of employees in the banking sector, the most important factor is flexible work arrangements (including the possibility of remote work), mentioned by 57% of people working in the field. This is followed by the opportunity to earn a good salary (28%) and development opportunities (26%). A motivating benefits package and strong career prospects are also considered more important than average.
Enefit (Eesti Energia) emerged as the winner in the industrial and manufacturing sector, followed by Ericsson Eesti, ABB, Valio Eesti, Foxway, Elektrilevi, Orkla Eesti, A. Le Coq, Eesti Pagar and Milrem.
According to employees in the industrial and manufacturing sector, the most important qualities that make an employer attractive are the opportunity to earn a good salary (30%), development opportunities (28%) and a modern work environment (27%). In this sector, financial stability and being a leader in the field are also valued more than average.
In the service sector, My Fitness was chosen as the most attractive employer, followed by Tallinna Loomaaed, Rahvusooper Estonia, Teater Vanemuine, Apollo, Bombay Group, Estravel Group, SPA Tours, Olympic Entertainment Group and Baltic Restaurants Estonia.
According to employees in the service sector, what makes an employer attractive is primarily a friendly work environment (27%), development opportunities (27%) and the opportunity to earn a good salary (26%). Earning additional bonuses is also considered more important than average in this sector.
Coop claimed first place in the retail sector, followed by Selver, Kaubamaja, Lidl Eesti, OG Elektra, Rimi Eesti, Circle K Eesti, Prisma Peremarket, Maxima Eesti and Alexela.
According to employees working in retail, the qualities that make an employer attractive are above all good development opportunities (31%) and the opportunity to earn a good salary (27%). In addition, a modern work environment and a fair, strong reputation on the labour market are considered important.
The top employer in the transport and logistics sector was Tallinna Lennujaam, followed by Tallink Grupp, Lux Express Estonia, Smartposti, Tallinna Linnatransport, Eesti Post / Omniva, DPD Eesti, Eesti Raudtee, Hansabuss and Gobus.
According to employees in the transport sector, the most important characteristic of an employer is the opportunity to earn a good salary (30%). Compared to other fields, greater value is also placed on the employer being a leading and fast-growing company in its sector, as well as the possibility to earn bonuses for good performance.
In the public sector, employees selected Maksu- ja Tolliamet as the top employer, followed by Kaitseliit, Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR), Tallinna Kiirabi, Eesti Pank, Transpordiamet, Tallinna Loomaaed, Eesti Välisministeerium, Riigimetsa Majandamise Keskus (RMK) and Sotsiaalkindlustusamet.
Employees working in the public sector consider flexible work arrangements to be the most important factor (43%). Compared to other sectors, greater value is also placed on the opportunity to do meaningful work that contributes to socially important tasks.
Telia Eesti was chosen as the top employer in the IT and telecommunications sector, followed by Bolt, Elisa Eesti, Playtech Estonia, Tele2 Eesti, Pipedrive, Postimees Grupp, Nortal, Genius Sports Services Eesti and Microsoft.
More than half (57%) of employees in the IT and telecommunications sector believe that flexible work arrangements (including remote work options) make an employer attractive. This is followed by the opportunity to earn a good salary (28%) and development opportunities (26%). Innovation and high-quality leadership are also valued more than average in this sector.
Tartu Ülikooli Kliinikum claimed first place in the healthcare sector, followed by Põhja-Eesti Regionaalhaigla, Meliva, Ida-Tallinna Keskhaigla, Arstikeskus Confido, SYNLAB Eesti, Tallinna Lastehaigla, Pärnu Haigla, Lääne-Tallinna Keskhaigla and Viljandi Haigla.
Employees in the healthcare sector value development opportunities (32%) and a modern work environment (31%) the most. The opportunity to do meaningful work and the employer’s role in supporting employees’ mental well-being are also valued more than average.
In the education sector, Tartu Ülikool was rated the most attractive employer, followed by Tallinna Tehnikaülikool, Tallinna Ülikool, Eesti Maaülikool, Tallinna Tehnikakõrgkool, Eesti Kunstiakadeemia, Haridus- ja Noorteamet, Tartu Rakenduslik Kolledž, Tallinna Muusika- ja Balletikool MUBA and Teaduskeskus AHHAA.
According to employees in the education sector, an employer is made attractive above all by flexible work arrangements (31%), development opportunities (28%) and a friendly work environment (28%). An inclusive work culture, meaningful work and equal treatment of employees are also considered very important.
Merko Ehitus was chosen as the top employer in the construction sector, followed by Leonhard Weiss, Verston Eesti, Nordecon, Mapri Ehitus, TREV-2 Grupp, NOBE, Connecto Eesti, Kodumaja and Hitachi Energy Estonia.
For employees in the construction field, the most important factors are flexible work arrangements (28%), development opportunities (26%) and the opportunity to earn a good salary (25%). A distinctive feature of the sector is that people value more than average the chance to work with top professionals in their field and the company’s role as a leading player in the sector.
Employees in South-Estonia named LHV Pank as Estonia’s most attractive employer. Also making the region’s top five were Wise, Telia Eesti, Tartu Ülikool and Bolt.
In the eyes of employees in East-Estonia, Estonia’s most attractive employer is Enefit (Eesti Energia), followed by LHV Pank, Telia Eesti, Swedbank and Viru Keemia Grupp.
In West-Estonia (including Pärnu), the most attractive employer this year was considered to be Swedbank. The top five in the region also included LHV Pank, Telia Eesti, Enefit and Wise.
Estonia’s Most Attractive Employer is determined based on CVKeskus.ee’s annual survey, where employees name the organisations they would most like to work for. The survey consists of two parts: the overall TOP 20 ranking is based on an unaided brand study method, where respondents write in the employer names themselves. The best employers by sector are identified using an aided method, where the name can be selected from a predefined list.
A total of 6,918 employees from across Estonia took part in the 2025 survey. Participants are also asked to evaluate employer characteristics: from 27 different attributes, they can choose up to three that they consider essential for a great employer.
