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 2024 and indicate the current tax rates.

Minimum wage in Romania

According to official data from the Romanian government, in 2024 the minimum wage in Romania will be 3,300 leu per month, equivalent to 665 euros. This is one of the lowest figures in the European Union. Only Bulgaria has a lower minimum wage (475 euros). Compared to last year, the minimum wage in Romania increased by 300 lei or 10.1%.

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 2024 is about 2,129 leu per month (430 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 2024 is 7,976 leu per month (about €1,605). After taxes, about 4,666 leu (940 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 over the last 10 years, the average salary in Romania has increased by 5,648 leu (€1,135). The highest monthly salaries on the Romanian labour market (15,792 leu/3,175 euros) are recorded in the information and communication sector, and the lowest in the accommodation and catering sector (4,905 leu/985 euros).

AVERAGE SALARY IN ROMANIA BY SECTOR OF ECONOMY

Sector of economy	Leu per month	Euro per month
Information and communication	15,792	3,175
Financial and insurance activities	14,774	2,970
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	12,942	2,605
Public administration and defence	11,415	2,295
Mining and quarrying	11,324	2,280
Professional, scientific and technical activities	10,962	2,205
Education	10,189	2,050
Health care and social work	8,528	1,715
Transportation and storage	8,415	1,695
Real estate operations	7,572	1,525
Wholesale and retail trade	7,400	1,490
Manufacturing	7,256	1,460
Construction	6,963	1,400
Water distribution, waste management	6,954	1,400
Arts, entertainment and recreation	6,890	1,385
Administrative and support service activities	6,618	1,330
Agriculture, forestry and fishery	6,199	1,245
Accommodation and food service activities	4,905	985
Other service activities	5,639	1,135

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 2024 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 2024 is 7,976 leu per month (about 1,605 euros).

2. What is the minimum wage in Romania?

• The minimum wage in Portugal in 2024 is €820 per month (assuming 14 payments during the year).

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 2024 is 10%.

7. What is the average salary in Bucharest?

• The average salary in Bucharest in 2024 is 9,000-10,000 lei per month.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Salary in Poland
• Salary in Ireland
• Salary in Germany
• Salary in France
• Salary in Czech Republic