MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN BULGARIA

Accession to the European Union in 2007 allowed Bulgaria to accelerate economic growth, implement some infrastructure projects, reduce the shadow trade sector and intensify investment in Bulgarian businesses. Certain areas, including information technology, agriculture and tourism are now successfully developing and generating new jobs. Therefore, many foreigners are interested in employment in Bulgaria and expect a decent income.

Unfortunately, despite certain positive shifts in the economy, today the level of salaries and welfare of Bulgarian citizens is significantly lower than in developed European countries. The situation on the labour market is still unstable and many Bulgarian university graduates are forced to ‘seek happiness’ abroad. Unemployment in the country fluctuates within 5-6%, and employment is about 75%. Next, let's find out what salary in Bulgaria in 2025.

Minimum wage in Bulgaria

At the national level, the minimum monthly wage in Bulgaria is set by the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria on the basis of Article 244 of the Labour Code. The figure is reviewed annually and is calculated on the basis of a standard 8-hour working day and a 40-hour working week.

According to official Bulgarian government data, the minimum wage in Bulgaria in 2025 is 1,077 Bulgarian lev, equivalent to 550 euros. The hourly rate is BGN 6.49 (€3.3) and the annual income is BGN 12,924 (€6,591). Compared to 2024, the monthly amount has increased by 144 lev or 15.4%, and over the last 5 years an increase of 467 lev has been recorded (610 lev as of 01.01.2020).

Although the minimum wage in Bulgaria has increased markedly in recent years, in reality it is the lowest in the European Union. For example, it is €265 less than in neighbouring Romania (€815) and €190 below the minimum wage in Latvia (€740). From countries such as France and Germany, the lag is 4–5 times.

Average salary in Bulgaria

The situation with average wages in Bulgaria is slightly better than with minimum wages. That is, the lag from other EU members is quite noticeable. To some extent, the gap is compensated by lower prices for food and rent. Therefore, quite often foreigners seek to obtain a Bulgarian residence permit on conditions not related to official work, but on another basis, for example, when buying a property.

According to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute, before taxes, the average salary in Bulgaria in 2025 is 2,413 lev per month or 1,230 euros. After all compulsory deductions, about 1,935 lev (985 euros) remains at the disposal of the employee. The income tax rate in Bulgaria is only 10%.

The level of remuneration in Bulgarian companies depends on qualifications, experience, profession, industry and region. For example, the average salary in Sofia is 3,037 lev (1,555 euros), in Varna 2,271 lev (1,160 euros), and in the smaller towns of Kyustendil and Vidin in the region of 1,535-1,648 lev (785-840 euros).

AVERAGE SALARY IN BULGARIA BY REGION/CITY*

Region (city)	Lev per month	Euros per month
South-West region:	2,999	1,530
Blagoevgrad	1,630	735
Kyustendil	1,634	835
Pernik	1,862	950
Sofia	2,156	1,100
Sofia (capital)	3,287	1,675
North-East region:	2,096	1,070
Varna	2,271	1,160
Dobrich	1,854	945
Targovishte	1,796	915
Shumen	1,884	960
South-Eastern region:	1,960	1,000
Burgas	1,932	985
Sliven	1,785	910
Stara Zagora	2,083	1,060
Yambol	1,852	945
South-Central region:	1,937	990
Kardzhali	1,804	920
Pazardjik	1,867	950
Plovdiv	2,075	1,060
Smolyan	1,602	815
Haskovo	1,683	860
North-Central region:	1,893	965
Veliko Tarnovo	1,854	945
Gabrovo	1,927	985
Razgrad	1,880	960
Ruse	1,985	1,015
Silistra	1,668	850
North-West region:	1,923	980
Vidin	1,648	840
Vratsa	2,234	1,140
Lovech	1,849	945
Montana	1,778	905
Pleven	1,900	970

In the public sector average incomes are 2,572 lev and in the private sector 2,358. The highest salaries in Bulgaria are recorded in the South-West region at 2,999 lev (1,530 euros) and the lowest in the North-Central region at 1,893 lev (965 euros).

AVERAGE SALARY IN BULGARIA BY SECTOR OF ECONOMY

Sector of economy	Lev per month	Euros per month
Information and communication	5,305	2,705
Financial and insurance activity	3,520	1,795
Supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning	3,506	1,790
Professional, scientific and technical activity	3,309	1,685
Public administration and defence	2,845	1,450
Education	2,844	1,450
Mining and quarrying	2,805	1,430
Health care and social work	2,489	1,270
Real estate operations	2,133	1,090
Art, entertainment and leisure	2,107	1,075
Wholesale and retail trade	2,083	1,065
Transportation and storage	2,023	1,030
Manufacturing	2,006	1,025
Administrative and support services	1,960	1,000
Construction	1,886	960
Water supply, sewerage and waste management	1,754	895
Fishing, agriculture and forestry	1,675	855
Accommodation and food	1,510	770
Other services	1,666	850

Note. *Information on average salaries by economic sectors and regions is based on official data of the National Statistical Institute of Bulgaria.

HIGHEST PAID OCCUPATIONS IN BULGARIA

• Programmers

• Doctors

• Engineers in managerial positions

• Bankers, financiers, insurers

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

• Lawyers

• Sales and business development managers

• Marketing and telecoms specialists

• Supply chain and logistics managers

• Pilots

Cost of living in Bulgaria

Compared to most European countries, living in Bulgaria is quite cheap. The most expensive cities are Varna, Burgas and Plovdiv. More affordable prices are in settlements such as Gabrovo, Dobrich and Stara Zagora.

Basic costs in Bulgaria:

• Rent: 350-400 euros per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.

• Utility bills: 100-120 euros per month.

• Food: 100-150 euros per month per person.

• Transport: 20-30 euros per month by public transport or 100-150 euros per month by car.

• Internet/mobile phone: 25-30 euros per month.

• Clothing and leisure activities: 300-400 euros per month.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Bulgaria:

1. What is the average salary in Bulgaria?

• Before taxes, the average salary in Bulgaria in 2025 is 2,413 lev per month (about 1,230 euros).

2. What is the minimum wage in Bulgaria?

• The minimum wage in Bulgaria in 2025 is 1,077 lev per month (about 550 euros).

3. What is the highest earning job in Bulgaria?

• The highest paid professions in Bulgaria are programmers, doctors and engineers.

4. Which job brings the lowest income in Bulgaria?

• Representatives of unskilled labour – cleaners, waiters, cooks' assistants, loaders, shop assistants, maids and so on – earn the least in Bulgaria.

5. What is the average salary of programmers in Bulgaria?

• The average income of programmers in Bulgaria is estimated at 25,000-30,000 euros per year.

6. What is the payroll tax in Bulgaria?

• The income tax rate in Bulgaria in 2025 is 10%.

7. What is the average salary in Sofia?

• The average salary in Sofia in 2025 is 3,287 lev per month (about €1,675).

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