You’re looking at Romania for good reasons. You’ve heard about the engineers in Cluj-Napoca, the finance talent in Bucharest, and the growing startup scene that keeps showing up on hiring shortlists across Europe.
Then you start asking the practical questions. What does the average salary actually look like? How much of that pay ends up in an employee’s pocket? And most importantly, what kind of life does that salary support once rent, groceries, and utilities are paid?
This guide puts average salary trends in context so you can make an informed decision when hiring in Romania. We’re looking beyond the headline number, but what it really means when you’re hiring and comparing Romania to the rest of Europe.
Beyond the numbers: Mapping the average salary in Romania
Salary data can look straightforward until you dig in. In Romania, the difference between gross pay and take-home pay is where most misunderstandings start.
The average gross monthly salary in Romania is about RON 7,600. Once income tax and mandatory social contributions are deducted, the net salary lands closer to RON 4,700, or roughly EUR 940 per month.
That gap matters. Gross figures make salaries look higher than they are day to day. Net pay is what actually covers rent, food, and everything else. Over the past year, wages have continued to rise, driven by inflation and strong demand in sectors like IT and engineering. But higher living costs have eaten into those gains for many workers.
Most salary figures come from national labor statistics and EU reporting. Data published by Eurostat helps standardize salary and labor cost comparisons across countries, while cost-of-living platforms like Numbeo add practical context around everyday expenses.
Where salaries are higher and where they lag
Location plays a big role in how far a Romanian's salary goes.
- Bucharest. The highest salaries in the country, with average net pay often topping RON 5,500. Housing costs are also the highest.
- Cluj-Napoca and Timișoara. Strong tech and engineering hubs with salaries well above the national average.
- Brașov and other regional cities. Moderate salaries paired with more manageable living costs.
- Rural areas. Significantly lower wages, especially outside specialized industries.
Industry matters just as much as geography. IT, software development, and engineering roles often pay two to three times the national average. Service, retail, and hospitality roles usually sit much closer to minimum wage.
Purchasing power: What an average salary really buys
A salary only makes sense once you compare it to monthly expenses.
Net salary vs. cost of living
For a single person in Bucharest, a typical monthly budget looks something like this:
- Rent. RON 2,000 to RON 2,800 for a one-bedroom outside the city center.
- Utilities and internet. Around RON 400 to RON 600.
- Food. Roughly RON 1,200 to RON 1,500.
- Transportation. About RON 150 to RON 250 using public transit.
That puts average monthly expenses between RON 3,800 and RON 4,900. On an average net salary, there’s not a huge margin for savings unless housing costs are kept low. In smaller cities, rent drops noticeably, which changes the picture significantly.
It also helps to remember that high earners in tech and leadership roles pull the national average upward. Many workers earn less than the headline number.
How Romania compares to the rest of Europe
Let’s get some valuable perspective by looking at how Romania’s average salaries stack up to those of European countries.
Average earnings in Romania vs. the EU
Romania’s average net salary of around EUR 940 sits well below the EU average, which is north of EUR 2,000 per month. In Germany, for example, average net earnings are closer to EUR 2,500.
That gap is narrowing, though slowly. Romania has seen faster wage growth than many Western European countries, especially in skilled sectors. According to Eurostat labor cost trends, Romania continues to move closer to EU averages, even if the difference remains significant.
This combination of rising wages and lower living costs is why Romania remains attractive for global employers building distributed teams.
FAQs
What is considered a good salary in Romania?
A good salary depends on where and how you live. In Bucharest, a net salary of RON 6,000 or more generally supports a comfortable lifestyle. In smaller cities, a lower salary can still go a long way.
Is RON 4,000 a good salary?
RON 4,000 net is close to the national average. It can cover basic expenses in most cities, but it may feel tight in high-cost areas unless rent is modest.
Is EUR 1,000 enough to live on per month?
EUR 1,000 per month works for a single person, particularly outside the capital. Housing is the deciding factor in how comfortable that budget feels.
Tips for hiring and paying successfully in Romania
If you’re hiring in Romania, determining the appropriate salary is only one part of the equation. You also have to be informed about employment contracts, payroll rules, taxes, and benefits, which all shape the real cost of hiring.
An Employer of Record (EOR) is a partner that legally employs workers on your behalf in a specific country. The EOR handles payroll, tax withholding, benefits, and compliance with local labor laws. You manage the work, while the EOR manages the legal and administrative side.
This approach lets you hire in Romania without setting up a local entity. It also reduces risk and speeds up hiring, especially if Romanian employment rules are new territory. Global labor market data from the World Bank can help you sense-check salary offers alongside local requirements.
What to take away before you make a move
The average salary in Romania is a starting point, not a decision-maker. Real clarity comes from understanding net pay, regional cost differences, and how purchasing power shifts from city to city. Before you hire or relocate, align salary expectations with local reality. It saves time, money, and frustration later.
How Pebl can help
Pebl helps you hire and pay talent in Romania without getting tangled in local complexity. Through our global EOR services, we support compliant employment, global payroll, and benefits, so you can focus on building your team. Whether you are hiring one role or scaling across regions, Pebl helps you move with confidence and clarity.
Learn more about how Pebl supports compliant hiring across Europe. Ready for next steps? Reach out to one of our experts to get the ball rolling.
This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.
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