SALARY IN ROMANIA

Being a part of the European Union for 14 years, unfortunately, did not lead to a significant increase in the standard of living of Romanian citizens and today salaries in Romania are still noticeably lower compared to developed countries of Western Europe. Nevertheless, unemployment in the state does not exceed 5-6%, inflation is practically absent and the situation on the local labour market is quite stable.

Some labour migrants find a decent job in Romania, and foreign entrepreneurs invest quite a lot of money in Romanian business. Many international companies operate in the country and new jobs are created. Further, we will find out what is the minimum and average salary in Romania in 2025 and indicate the current tax rates.

Minimum wage in Romania

According to official data from the Romanian government, in 2025 the minimum wage in Romania will be 4,050 leu per month, equivalent to 815 euros. This is one of the lowest figures in the European Union. Less is paid only in Bulgaria (550 euros) and Latvia (740 euros). Compared to last year, the minimum wage in Romania increased by 750 lei or 18.5%.

Today, more than 2.1 million Romanian workers, including 300 thousand public sector professionals, have an official income at the legal minimum level. The net minimum wage in Romania in 2025 is about 2,575 leu per month (515 euros). The country has fines of up to €445 for violating labour laws related to underreporting of wages.

Average salary in Romania

According to official data from the Romanian National Institute of Statistics, the average salary in Romania in 2025 is 8,910 leu per month (about €1,780). After taxes, about 5,328 leu (1,065 euros) remains at the disposal of the local worker. The level of remuneration depends largely on qualifications, experience, profession and the particular city. You can count on a relatively high income in Bucharest, Brasov and Constanta.

Note that the average salary in Romania has increased by 934 lei (€185) over the past year. The highest monthly salaries on the Romanian labour market (17,233 leu/3,445 euros) are recorded in the information and communication sector, and the lowest in the accommodation and catering sector (5,449 leu/1,090 euros).

AVERAGE SALARY IN ROMANIA BY SECTOR OF ECONOMY

Sector of economy	Leu per month	Euro per month
Information and communication	17,233	3,445
Financial and insurance activities	13,900	2,780
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	13,788	2,755
Public administration and defence	12,131	2,425
Mining and quarrying	11,702	2,340
Professional, scientific and technical activities	11,231	2,245
Education	10,030	2,005
Health care and social work	9,165	1,835
Transportation and storage	8,886	1,775
Manufacturing	7,937	1,585
Wholesale and retail trade	7,930	1,585
Arts, entertainment and recreation	7,590	1,520
Construction	7,530	1,505
Water distribution, waste management	7,499	1,500
Real estate operations	7,290	1,460
Administrative and support service activities	7,241	1,450
Agriculture, forestry and fishery	6,989	1,400
Accommodation and food service activities	5,449	1,090
Other service activities	6,352	1,270

Note. The information regarding average wages in Romania by sector is based on the most recent official data of the Romanian National Institute of Statistics.

Recent legislative initiatives by Romanian politicians provide for significant salary increases for public (budgetary) sector employees. For example, from 2018, after graduating from a Romanian university, the salary of a doctor in Romania should be at least 5,700 leu per month, and the income of an experienced specialist in the field of medicine from 16,600 leu.

Important. The level of total average monthly income per household in Romania in the first quarter of 2024 was 8,993 lei in urban areas, 1.3 times higher than in rural areas. The income per person was 3,830 leu (1.5 times more than in rural areas).

Taxes on salaries in Romania

The income tax rate in Romania in 2025 is 10% (16% in 2017). Romanian employers are required to withhold tax from the wages of all employees (residents and non-residents) and make monthly payments to the state budget. Social contributions in Romania until 2017 included pension (10.5% for the employee and 15.8% for the employer), health insurance (5.5% for the employee and 5.2% for the employer) and unemployment fund (0.5% for the employee and 0.5% for the employer).

From 2018 onwards, only the "labour insurance tax" of 2.25% is withheld from the employer and the pension levy (25%) and health insurance (10%) from the employees. Thus the total amount of benefits (including income tax) will reach 45%.

HIGHEST PAID OCCUPATIONS IN ROMANIA

• Programmers

• Doctors

• Lawyers

• Bankers, financiers, insurers

• Engineers in management positions

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

• Sales and business development managers

• Telecommunications engineers

• Supply chain and logistics managers

• Pharmacists

Cost of living in Romania

Compared to most European countries, living in Romania is quite cheap. The most expensive cities are Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca.

Basic costs in Romania:

• Rent: 400-450 euros per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.

• Utility bills: 100-150 euros per month.

• Food: 150-200 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: 15-20 euros per month.

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

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Romania:

1. What is the average salary in Romania?

• Before taxes, the average salary in Romania in 2025 is 8,910 leu per month (about 1,780 euros).

2. What is the minimum wage in Romania?

• The minimum wage in Romania in 2025 is 4,050 leu per month (about €815).

3. What is the highest earning job in Romania?

• The highest paying professions in Romania are computer programmers, doctors and lawyers.

4. What is the lowest paying job in Romania?

• The lowest income in Romania is received by representatives of unskilled labour – cleaners, waiters, cooks' assistants, loaders, shop assistants, maids and so on.

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

• The average income of programmers in Romania is estimated at 30,000-40,000 euros per year.

6. What is the payroll tax in Romania?

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

7. What is the average salary in Bucharest?

• The average salary in Bucharest in 2025 is 9,000-10,000 leu per month.

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