While the nationwide figure demonstrates steady annual growth, quarterly momentum dipped slightly by 0.4% compared to the second quarter of 2026, when the average stood at 1,444 евро, Под Тепето noted.
Monthly figures fluctuated throughout the quarter, starting at 1,445 евро in July, dipping to 1,411 евро in August, and recovering to 1,458 евро in September, as detailed by nova.bg.
Only three economic sectors managed to push average monthly remuneration past the 2,000 евро threshold. The information technology sector remained at the absolute peak with 3,059 евро, despite facing recent signals of market stagnation. Financial and insurance activities followed at 2,088 евро, while the energy sector recorded 2,063 евро.
In the group of other activities, the remuneration stood at 1065 евро, while agriculture, forestry, and fisheries registered 1084 евро. The highest increase in remuneration was registered in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries at 20.3%, followed by the group of other activities at 17.4%.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, hospitality and restaurant services languished at the bottom with an average of 908 евро, bringing compensation much closer to the statutory minimum wage than the national average. Regarding quarterly contractions, the largest decrease in wages compared to the second quarter was recorded in mining and quarrying at 7.1%, followed by financial and insurance activities at 2.4% and education at 2.2%.
The gap between private and public enterprises widened further over the past year. Private sector wages surged by 11.9% annually, comfortably outpacing the 5.9% growth recorded in public institutions.
Similar figures characterized Haskovo at 1,042 евро, Благоевград at 1,051 евро, Смолян at 1,052 евро, and Силистра at 1,075 евро. The lowest regional average salary was recorded in Vidin at 1036 евро for September at the district level.
Statistical authorities note that standard arithmetic means often fail to reflect the true median financial standing of the workforce due to distortion from extremely high or low salaries.
By the end of September, the number of employees working under labor and civil service contracts reached 2.32 million people, representing a decrease of 43,500 individuals compared to the end of June, or a drop of 1.8%.
The most noticeable quarterly decline occurred in hospitality and restaurant services at 15.2%, followed by agriculture at 3.8% and real estate operations at 3.5%. Conversely, an increase in employment was registered in human health and social work activities, as well as in education.
