Adjusted for consumer price trends, real earnings fell by 1.5% in September 2026 compared to September 2025.
Compared to August 2026, the average net earnings was 0.5% higher in September 2026, but the real earnings index was 99.7%.
The highest net salaries in September 2026 were recorded in computer programming, consultancy and related activities (RON13,513) and in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (RON13,336), while the lowest were seen in personal service activities (RON2,982) and in fishing and aquaculture (RON3,005).
The highest increases in the average net wage in September 2026 were recorded in the extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (+13.4%), and in the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products (+12.7%), respectively.
Increases between 5.5% and 10% were recorded in the mining of metal ores, mining support service activities, manufacture of tobacco products, manufacture of basic metals, tanning and dressing of leather; manufacture of luggage, handbags, saddlery and harness; dressing and dyeing of fur, and activities of head offices; management and management consultancy activities.
The most significant decreases were recorded in gambling and betting activities (-9.3%), and in motion picture, video and television program production, sound recording and music publishing activities, warehousing and support activities for transportation, and legal and accounting activities (-5.5% to -7%).
In the public sector, slight decreases in average net earnings were recorded in September 2026 compared to August 2026 in medical care and social security activities (-0.5%), and in public administration (-0.2%), while education saw a slight advance of 1%.
The average gross salary stood at RON9,532 (EUR1,782) in September 2026, higher by 0.4% (+RON35) than the level recorded in August 2026.
Earnings in relation to consumer price trends:
▪ The real earnings index was 98.5% in September 2026 versus September 2025.
▪ The real earnings index was 99.7% in September 2026 versus August 2026.
▪ Compared to October 1990, the real earnings index was 234.5%, lower by 0.6 percentage points than the level recorded in August 2026.
The trend of real earnings depends both on the fluctuations of the average net earnings and on the inflation rate.