MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN LITHUANIA
Salary figures in Lithuania are most useful when read alongside the location, occupation, taxes and housing budget. The statutory minimum applies only to unskilled work, while skilled roles are normally assessed against sector pay and the conditions of a specific vacancy. For people considering working in Lithuania, the key question is not simply the gross figure in the contract, but what the whole offer means after deductions and living costs.
AT A GLANCE
- Lithuania’s 2026 statutory minimum wage is €1,153 gross per month; the minimum hourly rate is €7.05.
- Average gross monthly earnings were €2,526.80 in the first quarter of 2026.
- Average net monthly earnings for the same period were €1,514; this is a national statistical average, not a personal net-pay quote.
- Employee social and health-insurance contributions total 19.5%; an additional 3% applies to participants in supplementary pension saving.
CONTENTS
Minimum wage in Lithuania
From 1 January 2026, Lithuania’s minimum monthly wage is €1,153 gross and the minimum hourly rate is €7.05. The monthly amount relates to normal working time; part-time pay is calculated according to the applicable hourly minimum.
Under the Lithuanian Labour Code, the minimum monthly wage may be paid only for unskilled work — work that does not require special qualifications or professional skills. It is therefore a legal floor rather than an appropriate benchmark for a qualified driver, technician, nurse, engineer or office specialist.
IMPORTANT
Job ads and employment contracts usually state gross salary. Check the contracted hours, treatment of overtime, night shifts and weekend work, and whether any bonus is guaranteed before comparing offers.
Average salary in Lithuania
According to the State Data Agency of Lithuania, average gross monthly earnings in the first quarter of 2026 were €2,526.80. The average was €2,834.80 in the public sector and €2,380.30 in the private sector. National gross earnings then rose by 2.9% in the second quarter compared with the first.
Average net earnings were €1,514 in the first quarter. This is not a universal take-home amount for someone earning €2,526.80 gross: the actual result depends on the non-taxable allowance, other income, tax status and participation in supplementary pension saving. The net salary calculator is more useful for testing the gross figure stated in a particular contract.
The national average also masks strong differences between occupations. Digital services, finance and technical roles sit high in the pay distribution, but vacancies should be assessed on their own requirements. The list of shortage occupations in Lithuania is a practical complement to salary data when choosing where to apply.
Salary by economic sector
The table covers all major economic sectors for which comparable first-quarter 2026 data were published. It is sorted from the highest to the lowest average gross monthly salary. Sector averages include workers at very different levels, so they should not be read as a guaranteed rate for a particular role.
| Economic sector | Average monthly salary, gross |
|---|---|
| Information and communication | €3,934.40 |
| Financial and insurance activities | €3,595.00 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | €2,939.80 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply | €2,746.70 |
| Human health and social work activities | €2,726.70 |
| Public administration, defence and compulsory social security | €2,540.20 |
| Mining and quarrying | €2,353.10 |
| Education | €2,268.30 |
| Manufacturing | €2,259.70 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | €2,150.90 |
| Construction | €2,138.70 |
| Transportation and storage | €2,123.10 |
| Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation | €2,116.50 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | €1,990.30 |
| Administrative and support service activities | €1,961.20 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | €1,877.70 |
| Other service activities | €1,807.70 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | €1,570.10 |
| Real estate activities | Data not published |
NOTE
The absence of a figure for real-estate activities does not mean that the sector has no jobs or salaries. The State Data Agency did not publish a comparable value for this sector in the dataset used here, so no estimate has been substituted for official data.
Payroll taxes and take-home pay
Lithuania applies progressive personal income-tax rules from 2026. Employment income is taxed at 20% up to the first threshold, but higher bands apply to high annual income. The employee’s individual non-taxable allowance and other circumstances affect the amount withheld during the year and the final tax position.
| Charge | 2026 rule |
|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 20% on annual income up to €83,237.40 |
| Higher personal income-tax rate | 25% on the part of annual income from €83,237.40 to €138,729 |
| Top personal income-tax rate | 32% on the part of annual income above €138,729 |
| Employee social and health-insurance contributions | 19.5%, including 6.98% compulsory health insurance |
| Supplementary pension saving | Additional 3% for participating employees |
Employer contributions depend on the type of contract and the employer’s risk category, so they should not be confused with deductions from the employee’s salary. A gross salary comparison only becomes meaningful after the employee-specific net result has been calculated.
Evaluating an offer and living costs
When comparing Lithuanian offers, separate fixed pay from variable income such as bonuses, shift supplements, meals, travel reimbursement and overtime. Vilnius has the broadest market for international companies, technology and finance, while other cities can offer a lower housing bill but fewer openings in specialised fields.
Where a job is also the basis for relocation, the duration and terms of the contract can matter for immigration status. A future employee should make sure that the employment arrangement supports the requirements for a residence permit in Lithuania, rather than treating the salary alone as sufficient.
Housing, utilities and household size shape the practical value of a salary. Current prices in Lithuania give more useful context than a national average, while the choice of location is easier after comparing the best cities to live in Lithuania.
Before moving, it is sensible to budget for travel, a rental deposit and several months of initial expenses. The savings calculator can turn that plan into a personal target. People considering self-employment as an alternative should remember that business in Lithuania has a different tax and administrative framework from an ordinary employment contract.
To compare Lithuania with another destination, use the country comparison tool and look at net income, rent and wider living costs together.
Sources
- State Data Agency of Lithuania
- Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
- State Tax Inspectorate of Lithuania
- State Social Insurance Fund Board Sodra
- Employment Service of Lithuania
- Eurostat
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Lithuania in 2026?
The statutory minimum monthly wage is €1,153 gross and the minimum hourly rate is €7.05. It applies to unskilled work.
What is the average salary in Lithuania?
Average gross monthly earnings were €2,526.80 in the first quarter of 2026. The average net figure for the same period was €1,514.
Which sectors pay the most in Lithuania?
Information and communication, financial and insurance activities, and professional, scientific and technical activities were the highest-paying broad sectors in the first-quarter 2026 data.
How is salary taxed in Lithuania?
Employment income is generally taxed at 20% up to the first annual threshold, with 25% and 32% rates applying to higher portions of annual income. Employees also normally pay 19.5% in social and health-insurance contributions.
Is the minimum wage available for qualified work?
No. Lithuanian labour law allows the statutory minimum monthly wage only for work that does not require special qualifications or professional skills.
Is gross salary the same as take-home pay?
No. Gross salary is the amount before employee social-insurance contributions and income tax. The final net amount depends on the employee’s tax allowances and personal circumstances.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WageCentre, with a degree in finance and 15+ years of professional experience. He writes about salaries, taxes, labour markets, immigration and financial planning for relocation.
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