Regional and sectoral wage disparities reported in Romania and Hungary

Recent economic data from Romania and Hungary highlights significant disparities in wages across different sectors and regions.

In Romania, the 2026 Salary Barometer by International Work Finder identifies the IT sector as the highest paying, with a net median salary of 11,750 lei. This is followed by the legal and pharmaceutical sectors, both at 11,000 lei. In contrast, the retail sector reports a much lower net median of 4,700 lei. The report also notes a gap between job seekers, who desire an average net salary of 7,000 lei, and employers, whose offers average around 5,400 lei.

In Hungary, data from Bankmonitor reveals stark regional income differences. As of July 2026, the national average net salary was 523,300 forints. There is a massive gap between the capital and other regions; for instance, a salary considered average in Budapest would place an individual in the top 10 percent of earners in counties like Békés. To reach the top 10 percent in Budapest, a net monthly income exceeding 1,103,981 forints is required, whereas the threshold is significantly lower in Győr-Moson-Sopron and Tolna counties.