Romania's Salary Divide: IT Sector Leads with Highest Earnings, National Average Dips

Romania continues to grapple with vast salary disparities across different economic sectors, with average net salaries in May 2026 showing stark differences. The national average net salary stood at 5,684 lei, marking a 2.7% decrease from the previous month. This dip was attributed by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) to the prior disbursement of occasional bonuses and supplementary payments, alongside reduced production or revenue in certain areas.

Despite the overall dip, the technology sector remains the highest earner. Employees in programming and IT consulting activities commanded the highest average net salary, reaching 13,150 lei in May 2026. This is followed closely by the extraction of crude oil and natural gas, with an average net salary of 12,405 lei. Other high-paying sectors include the manufacturing of coking plant products and petroleum refining, publishing activities, and financial intermediation.

At the other end of the spectrum, several sectors struggle with average net salaries below 4,000 lei, highlighting the deep economic divide. The gap between the highest and lowest earners is substantial, with the top sectors earning almost 7,500 lei more monthly than the national average. While the net salary saw a 3.2% increase compared to May 2025, the real wage index at 93.1% indicates a pressure on purchasing power when adjusted for inflation.