MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN MOLDOVA
The Republic of Moldova is located in the south-eastern part of Europe. It is bordered to the north, east and south by Ukraine and to the west by Romania. It is landlocked. The population of Moldova is about 4 million people. The capital of the state is Kishinev. The official currency is the Moldovan leu, which at the current exchange rate is equal to 0.05 euro/dollar.
Unfortunately, Moldova is currently one of the poorest countries in Europe with very modest wages. The economy is largely dependent on the agricultural sector and international financial aid, and hundreds of thousands of Moldovans are forced to work in more developed European countries or in Russia. At the same time, labor migrants annually transfer more than 1 billion euros to their native country.
Further, we will find out what is the minimum and average wage in Moldova in 2026, we will outline the wages in some cities and sectors of the economy.
Minimum wage in Moldova
According to the official data of the Moldovan government, the minimum wage in Moldova from January 1, 2026 is 6,300 leu per month, which is equivalent to 310 euros. Moldovan workers will receive 37.28 leu per hour. From May 1, 2022, not only the workers of the real sector of economy, but also budgetary employees can count on a similar amount of 6,300 leu.
Note. Compared to last year, the growth of the minimum wage in Moldova amounted to 15%. In 2025 the rate was equal to 5,500 leu (270 euros).
Over the last 5 years, the minimum wage in Moldova has increased by 3,365 leu per month. By the way, in neighboring Romania, the minimum wage in 2026 is set at 4,325 leu or 850 euros. That is, Romanian workers get three times more. In Ukraine, this figure is 8,647 hryvnia or 165 euros.
Average salary in Moldova
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the average salary in Moldova in 2026 is 16,355.1 leu per month or 810 euros. Compared to the same period of the last year, there is an increase in the incomes of Moldovans by 8,9%. In the real sector of economy the average salary in Moldova is equal to 17,078.9 leu, and in the budgetary sector – 14,256.4 leu.
The highest salaries in Moldova are offered by the capital Chisinau – 19,074 leu (945 euros), while the lowest salaries are recorded in the city of Briceni – 10,548 leu (520 euros). In terms of economic sectors, specialists in the information and communication sector earn the most – 37,144.2 leu (1,835 euros), and the least fishing, agriculture and forestry – 10,776.4 leu (535 euros).
| Sector of economy | Leu per month |
| Information and communication | 37,144.2 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 30,146.2 |
| Supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning | 25,405.2 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activity | 19,509.5 |
| Public administration and defence | 18,351.1 |
| Health care and social work | 18,274 |
| Water supply, sewerage and waste management | 14,935.9 |
| Mining and quarrying | 14,907.9 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 14,368.8 |
| Transportation and storage | 14,071.7 |
| Construction | 14,035.6 |
| Manufacturing | 14,024.6 |
| Education | 14,005 |
| Operations with real estate | 13,657.7 |
| Administrative and support services | 13,385.1 |
| Art, entertainment and leisure | 12,396.9 |
| Accommodation and food | 11,432.5 |
| Fishing, agriculture and forestry | 10,776.4 |
| Other | 19,163 |
Note. Information on average salaries by sectors of economy is based on official data of the National Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Moldova.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the income tax rate in Moldova, depending on the type of activity, varies from 6 to 18% (basic – 12%), and the unemployment rate does not exceed 5%.
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