SALARY IN ROMANIA
Romania is located in the south-eastern part of Europe. It borders with Ukraine, Moldova, Hungary, Serbia and Bulgaria. It is washed by the waters of the Black Sea in the southeast. Romania has been a member of the European Union since 2007. The population of Romania in 2023 is about 18.9 million people. Unemployment is around 5-6%. The state has low taxes, but also the level of income is significantly lower than in more developed European countries. Let's find out what salaries in Romania in 2023.
Minimum salary in Romania
According to the local government (Decree No. 935/2019), the official minimum wage in Romania in 2023 (from January 1) is 3,000 leu per month, which is equivalent to 655 American dollars. Compared to the previous year, the country's minimum wage was increased by 450 leu per month (15%). Since the inflation rate at the end of 2022 was 16.4%, the purchasing power of Romanian workers declined slightly.
Over the past 5 years, the minimum wage in Romania has increased by 1,100 leu – from 1,900 leu in 2018 to 3,000 in 2023. Almost 2.1 million local workers, or about 23% of the country's active labor force, earn the minimum wage. After paying taxes, Romanian professionals have about 1,815 leu ($395) at their disposal. In the construction sector, the minimum gross wage in Romania is 4,000 leu (about $875).
Average salary in Romania
According to official information from the National Institute of Statistics, the average wage in Romania in 2023 is 6,831 leu per month, equivalent to $1,490. After paying taxes, a Romanian worker has 4,254 leu (about $930) at his or her disposal. The highest salaries in Romania are registered in the information and communication sector (13,952 leu), and the lowest in the accommodation and food sector (3,916 leu).
| Sector of economy | Leu per month | Dollars per month |
| Information and communication | 13,952 | 3,045 |
| Financial and insurance activities | 11,046 | 2,410 |
| Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply | 10,187 | 2,225 |
| Public administration and defense | 9,379 | 2,045 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | 8,929 | 1,950 |
| Health care and social work | 7,375 | 1,610 |
| Education | 6,878 | 1,500 |
| Transportation and storage | 6,707 | 1,465 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 6,086 | 1,330 |
| Manufacture | 6,086 | 1,330 |
| Real estate operations | 6,082 | 1,325 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 6,009 | 1,310 |
| Administrative and support service activities | 5,730 | 1,250 |
| Water distribution, waste management | 5,630 | 1,230 |
| Construction | 5,437 | 1 185 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishery | 5,204 | 1,135 |
| Accommodation and food service activities | 3,916 | 855 |
| Other service activities | 4,573 | 1 000 |
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.
In conclusion, we note that the income tax rate in Romania is 10%. Along with Bulgaria, this is the lowest rate among all European Union countries.
