Is Romania a cheap place to work or live in? Not quite so, at least when you take a closer look at the average salary in Romania nowadays.
The Romanian wages have been changing fast due to the growth in technology, foreign investment, and the increase in the cost of living. Whether you are thinking of moving, hiring, or freelancing here, you need to know that people are actually earning more than ever.
The median wage in Romania in 2025 will be about RON 5,500 net (€1,100) per month, but this number is just the tip of the iceberg. Salaries are as varied as the industries, the experience, and the place of work, with those in the booming IT centers earning vastly more than the underpaid rural areas. Understanding the average salary in Romania helps paint a clearer picture of these differences.
This article is a breakdown of the average wage in Romania, wages by the hour, the best-paying jobs, and regions with pay disparities, and significant economic drivers which offer you a realistic, current picture of how much people earn in one of the most dynamic economies in Europe.
Average Salary in Romania: The Big Picture
The average salary in Romania in 2025 is around RON 5,500 (1,100 euro) net a month, but it is just an average in a broad range of wages. Taking into account the gross salary, the national average is about RON 8,800 (1,750), but the income of the particular employee may differ significantly according to the sector, the position, and the experience.
According to INSSE – Romania’s National Institute of Statistics, the median monthly income in Romania is lower than the average, highlighting a classic issue in wage distribution: a small percentage of high earners skews the national figures upward. This leaves the employee’s earning profile more successful than it might be for the majority.
The Romanian labor market is still expanding, especially in the city areas such as Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timi oara. Nevertheless, post-industrial and rural areas continue to suffer low wages and decreased employment.
Although the cost of living in Romania is low compared to the EU average, the inflation rate, cost of housing, and energy is increasing more than the salaries. To a large number of Romanians, this poses a discrepancy between earnings and the day to day expenditure, particularly in entry level jobs or in low-salaried service jobs.
To put it briefly, knowing the average salary in Romania implies more than just looking at one figure. It needs to look at who makes more, who makes less, geography, industry, and experience, and how this influences the overall income potential.
Average Salary in Romania per Month and per Hour
The average salary in Romania is currently estimated at RON 5,500 net (1,100 euros) per month, with the gross monthly salary amounting to about RON 8,800 (1,750 euros). These rates are mostly applicable to full-time workers who are in the private sector and it differs according to the area, the job position and the industry.
The average salary in Romania, expressed in salary per hour, is approximately RON 3135 net (6.207.00) in a 160-hour working month. This number, however, is not fixed. Other industries, such as IT or engineering, may be higher than RON 60-100 (euro 12-20) an hour, and the hospitality, retail, and manufacturing sectors tend to be nearer the national minimum.
By Eurostat and local labor statistics, the minimum gross wage in Romania in 2025 is RON 3,700 (735e) per month or about RON 22 (4.40e) per hour. Tax deductions are normally reduced, and minimum wage earners can hardly sustain the ever increasing cost of living, particularly in the urban areas.
Part-time workers, freelancers, and gig workers might also work with unstable hourly pay, which makes the national average less reflective of the whole Romanian population.
Overall, it is clear that the monthly average salary in Romania could be used as a point of comparison, but an insight into the per-hour wages provides a better impression of the real income and the value of labor in various positions and types of employment.
In short:
| Category | Amount (RON) | Amount (EUR) |
| Average Net Salary (Monthly) | 5,500 | 1,100 |
| Average Gross Salary (Monthly) | 8,800 | 1,750 |
| Average Net Hourly Wage | 31–35 | 6.20–7.00 |
| High-Paying Sector Hourly Wage (e.g. IT) | 60–100 | 12–20 |
| Minimum Gross Salary (Monthly) | 3,700 | 735 |
| Minimum Net Hourly Wage (est.) | ~22 | ~4.40 |
Note: EUR values are approximate based on an exchange rate of €1 = RON 5.
Average Salary in Romania for a Software Engineer
The average salary in Romania for software engineers continues to rise as the country cements its reputation as a growing tech hub in Eastern Europe. With global companies outsourcing development to cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Iași, Romanian developers are now earning well above the national average.
As of 2025, here’s a breakdown:
- Junior software engineers earn between RON 6,000 – RON 9,000 net/month (€1,200 – €1,800).
- Mid-level developers typically earn RON 10,000 – RON 14,000 net/month (€2,000 – €2,800).
- Senior software engineers or tech leads can command salaries up to RON 18,000 – RON 25,000 net/month (€3,600 – €5,000), especially if they work in multinational firms or on high-demand stacks like cloud infrastructure, machine learning, or cybersecurity.
According to RemotePeople and TimeDoctor, the average salary for a software developer in Romania falls around RON 12,000/month net (€2,400), more than double the national average salary.
Many companies also offer perks like:
- Remote work flexibility
- Health insurance
- Stock options or performance bonuses
- Professional training budgets
Romania’s strong STEM education system, competitive labor costs, and EU membership continue to make it attractive for software development outsourcing and tech startups.
In short, software engineering is one of the highest-paying professions in Romania, offering fast growth, high earning potential, and international career mobility.
Median Income in Romania and How It Compares
While the average salary in Romania gives a broad view of earnings, the median income offers a clearer picture of what most people actually earn. Unlike the average—which can be skewed by extremely high or low salaries—the median shows the midpoint of all incomes.
As of 2025, the median net salary in Romania is approximately RON 4,700 per month (~€940). That means half of Romanian workers earn below this amount, and half earn more. This figure is nearly 15% lower than the national average salary of RON 5,500, highlighting significant wage inequality in the country.
Comparison by Region and Sector:
- In cities like Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest, the median income can be much higher—closer to RON 6,000–7,000 due to a concentration of high-paying jobs in IT, finance, and tech.
- In rural or underdeveloped areas such as Teleorman or Vaslui, the median income drops to around RON 3,500 or less.
How Romania Compares Internationally:
According to Eurostat and Early.app, Romania still ranks below most Western European countries when it comes to both average and median income:
- Germany: €2,700 median net salary
- Poland: €1,200 median
- Hungary: €1,050 median
- Romania: €940 median
Although Romania has made steady economic progress, it still faces a notable gap between urban and rural wages, and between sectors like tech and agriculture. The growth of remote work and digital skills, however, is starting to close that gap, impacting the overall average salary in Romania.
Key Insight: If you’re earning above RON 6,000/month net in Romania, you’re already in the top 30% income bracket—especially outside of major cities.
Regional Salary Variations: Where You Earn More in Romania
Salaries in Romania vary widely by region, shaped by factors like economic development, cost of living, and industry concentration.
| Region/City | Average Net Salary (RON) | Approx. (€) |
| Bucharest | 5,500 | 1,100 |
| Cluj-Napoca | 5,000 | 1,000 |
| Brașov | 4,700 | 940 |
| Timișoara | 4,800 | 960 |
| Giurgiu & Vrancea | 3,500 – 3,600 | 700 – 720 |
According to Business Forum Romania, Bucharest stands out as the highest-paying city, thanks to its concentration of multinational companies and the finance sector. Cities like Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara, known for their tech hubs, follow closely.
Romania Salary Comparison by Profession: Who Makes What?
| Profession | Average Monthly Net Salary (RON) | Approx. in EUR (€) | Notes |
| Software Engineer | 12,000 | 2,400 | High demand in tech hubs like Bucharest and Cluj; varies by experience. |
| Accountant | 5,000 | 1,000 | Depends on firm size and certification level (e.g., ACCA, CECCAR). |
| Teacher (Public School) | 4,000 | 800 | Includes bonuses for experience and higher education. |
| Doctor (Public Sector) | 7,000 – 12,000 | 1,400 – 2,400 | Can be higher in private hospitals or with specialization. |
| Nurse | 4,500 | 900 | Salaries improving after recent reforms in public healthcare. |
| Construction Worker | 3,500 | 700 | Earnings vary based on location and project scale. |
| Customer Support Agent | 4,200 | 840 | Multilingual roles can push salaries above RON 5,000. |
| Marketing Specialist | 6,000 | 1,200 | Varies by industry and digital skillset. |
| Retail Salesperson | 3,200 | 640 | One of the lowest-paid sectors; bonuses may apply. |
| HR Specialist | 5,000 | 1,000 | Higher for senior HR roles or corporate environments. |
| Driver (Taxi/Delivery) | 3,800 | 760 | Income often includes tips or delivery bonuses. |
Things You Need To Know
Many top-ranking articles miss out on some important angles, which we’ll cover here:
1. Impact of Inflation on Real Salary Growth
As nominal wages increase, inflation affects the real income growth. Trading Economics shows that although wages have been going up, purchasing power in Romania is improving only marginally. This demonstrates the relevance of taking into consideration inflation when negotiating a salary or evaluating the average salary in Romania in real terms.
2. Remote Work Salary Trends in Romania
Due to the increase in remote work, particularly after the pandemic, Romanian professionals have become employees of foreign firms. These are high-paying jobs, which drive the effective salary ceiling upwards and impact the average salary in Romania.
3. Salary Growth Potential Over 5 Years
Romania Observer reports that salaries have increased by approximately 8 percent every year in recent years. Such a growth rate indicates good future results in terms of earnings, particularly in technology and finance, positively influencing the average salary in Romania.
4. Cost of Living vs. Salary
One aspect that is not considered very much is the ratio of salaries to the cost of living. As an example, to live in Bucharest, the salary is more than in the smaller towns, to live comfortably. This relationship influences career choices and job satisfaction with salary, affecting perceptions of the average salary in Romania.
How to Negotiate Your Salary in Romania
Given the disparities and economic factors, salary negotiation is vital when discussing the average salary in Romania. Here are some tips:
- Research industry averages and regional standards.
- Highlight your unique skills, certifications, and achievements.
- Factor in inflation and the cost of living.
- Consider benefits beyond salary, like bonuses, health insurance, and remote work options.
Conclusion
The average salary in Romania in 2025 indicates an increasing economy that has great prospects, particularly in the IT and energy industries. Nevertheless, regional and professional differences remain, which is why it is essential to keep up to date on the information about job seekers and employers.
Be it negotiating a new job, thinking of relocating, or developing a career in Romania, these salary trends are important to know.
Do you want to use this knowledge to enhance your career or business in Romania?
