Albania median net wage stays below 60,000 lek for half of workers

In the first quarter of 2026 Albania's labor market showed a continued rise in wages but persistent modest earnings for many. According to INSTAT, the median gross monthly salary reached 74,010 lek, up 19 % year‑on‑year, while the average gross salary was 90,119 lek, a 9.6 % increase. Despite these gains, half of employees receive a net pay of less than about 60,000 lek after taxes and contributions.

The gap between average and median wages narrowed compared with 2025, as lower‑ and middle‑tier salaries grew faster than the very high‑end salaries that traditionally lift the average. Economists note that a net income of roughly 60,000 lek barely covers basic living costs for a single person, especially in a city with rising rents such as Tirana, and is often only sufficient as a secondary household income.