Romania’s average net salary reached 5,717 lei in September, 5% higher than a year earlier, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INS). After adjusting for inflation, however, real net pay fell 1.5% year on year. It was the 15th consecutive month in which real salaries declined against the same month of the previous year.
Monthly momentum was weak. Net salaries rose only 0.5% from August, while average gross salary reached 9,532 lei, up 35 lei or 0.4% on the month.
Sharp divide between sectors
IT programming and consultancy posted the highest average net salary at 13,513 lei. Oil and natural gas extraction followed at 13,336 lei, and both sectors sit far above the national average.
At the other end, other service activities recorded the lowest average, at 2,982 lei. Fishing and aquaculture came next at 3,005 lei.
Oil sector drives monthly gains
Net salaries in oil and natural gas extraction rose 13.4% month on month, the largest increase in the data. Crude oil processing added 12.7% over the same period.
Gambling and betting saw the steepest fall, with net salaries down 9.3%. Film and TV production, audio recording, warehousing and legal and accounting activities also posted large monthly declines.
Budget sector mixed
Salaries in the health sector slipped 0.5% month on month, while public administration eased 0.2%. Education salaries rose 1% over the month.
Source: National Institute of Statistics (INS)
