In relation to the inflation rate, the real earnings dropped by 7% in May 2026 versus May 2025.
The average net salary was down 2.7% (-RON159) in May 2026 compared to April 2026.
The best paid employees in May 2026 were in computer programming, consultancy and related activities (RON13,150) and in the sector of extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas (RON12,405), while the lowest salaries were seen in the sector of fishing and aquaculture (RON2,863) and in personal service activities (RON2,895).
The average gross salary stood at RON9,483 in May 2026, lower by 2.6% (-RON257) than the level recorded in April 2026.
During the year, there are fluctuations of the earnings, mainly determined by granting of annual and holiday bonuses, INS says.
Earnings in relation to the trend of consumer prices:
The real earnings index was 93.1% in May 2026 compared to May 2025.
The real earnings index was 96.7% in May 2026 compared to April 2026.
Compared with October 1990, the real earnings index was 237%, lower by 8 percentage points than the one recorded in April 2026.
The trend of real earnings depends both on the fluctuations of the average net earnings and on the inflation rate.