A person working in Engineering in Bulgaria typically earns around 2,790 BGN. Salaries range from 880 BGN (lowest average) to 5,900 BGN (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
The provided figure represents the median compensation that encompasses housing, transportation, and other perks. The salaries within the Engineering domain in Bulgaria exhibit significant discrepancies across various professions. In case you seek information about the remuneration of a specific position, please refer to the salaries listed below for respective job titles.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Acoustics Engineer | 2,820 BGN |
Assembly Engineering Technician | 2,270 BGN |
Assistant Chief Engineer | 3,410 BGN |
Associate Engineer | 2,740 BGN |
Autocad Operator | 1,850 BGN |
Automation Engineer | 3,030 BGN |
Avionic System Support Engineer | 2,880 BGN |
Biochemical Engineer | 2,680 BGN |
BMS Engineer | 2,710 BGN |
Bridge and Lock Tender | 1,650 BGN |
Broadcast Engineer | 2,760 BGN |
CAD Design Engineer | 2,990 BGN |
CAD Designer | 1,870 BGN |
CAE Engineer | 3,030 BGN |
Ceramics Engineer | 2,610 BGN |
Civil Engineer | 3,040 BGN |
Commissioning Engineer | 2,930 BGN |
Communications Engineer | 3,150 BGN |
Condition Monitoring Engineer | 2,630 BGN |
Contract Associate Engineer | 2,720 BGN |
Control Systems Engineer | 3,000 BGN |
Controls Engineer | 2,820 BGN |
Controls Software Engineer | 2,520 BGN |
Corrosion Engineer | 2,700 BGN |
Design Engineer | 3,120 BGN |
Drafter | 1,780 BGN |
Drafting Manager | 3,380 BGN |
Drilling Engineer | 2,770 BGN |
Electrical Draughtsman | 1,530 BGN |
Electrical Engineer | 3,240 BGN |
Electrical Engineering Manager | 4,380 BGN |
Electromechanical Engineering Technologist | 3,110 BGN |
Electromechanical Equipment Assembler | 1,570 BGN |
Energy Engineer | 3,170 BGN |
Engine Assembler | 1,380 BGN |
Engineer | 3,010 BGN |
Engineering Account Manager | 3,430 BGN |
Engineering Chief Designer | 3,220 BGN |
Engineering Consultant | 4,030 BGN |
Engineering Key Account Manager | 4,040 BGN |
Engineering Lab Technician | 2,840 BGN |
Engineering Planning Manager | 4,020 BGN |
Engineering Production Manager | 5,470 BGN |
Engineering Project Analyst | 3,500 BGN |
Engineering Project Coordinator | 3,590 BGN |
Engineering Project Director | 6,050 BGN |
Engineering Project Manager | 4,130 BGN |
Engineering Research and Development Manager | 4,950 BGN |
Engineering Safety Coordinator | 2,380 BGN |
Engineering Sales Manager | 4,150 BGN |
Engineering Technician | 2,290 BGN |
Engineering Technologist | 2,410 BGN |
Environmental Engineer | 2,890 BGN |
Equipment Engineer | 2,780 BGN |
Equipment Engineering Manager | 3,750 BGN |
Estimator | 2,470 BGN |
Fabrication Specialist | 2,040 BGN |
Fabricator | 1,360 BGN |
Facade Engineer | 2,830 BGN |
Fiber Analyst | 1,640 BGN |
Field Engineer | 3,060 BGN |
Field Engineering Manager | 5,140 BGN |
Fire Engineer | 2,960 BGN |
Fitter and Turner | 980 BGN |
Forestry Strategic Planner | 3,530 BGN |
Generation Engineer | 3,050 BGN |
Genetic Engineer | 3,290 BGN |
Geological Engineer | 3,010 BGN |
Geotechnical Engineer | 3,030 BGN |
Heavy Equipment Mechanic | 1,540 BGN |
Highway Engineer | 2,930 BGN |
HSE Professional | 2,800 BGN |
HVAC Engineer | 3,240 BGN |
HVAC Supervisor | 2,830 BGN |
Industrial Engineer | 2,740 BGN |
Industrial Engineering Technologist | 2,860 BGN |
Instrument Engineer | 2,930 BGN |
Instrumentation and Control Engineer | 2,850 BGN |
Instrumentation Engineer | 2,830 BGN |
Instrumentation Manager | 3,040 BGN |
Irrigation Engineer | 2,850 BGN |
Licensed Aircraft Engineer | 3,100 BGN |
Locomotive Engineer | 2,810 BGN |
Maintenance Engineer | 2,850 BGN |
Maintenance Fitter | 1,020 BGN |
Maintenance Manager | 3,060 BGN |
Manufacturing Engineer | 2,730 BGN |
Marine Engineer | 2,950 BGN |
Materials Engineer | 2,970 BGN |
Materials Researcher | 2,880 BGN |
Materials Technician | 2,140 BGN |
Mechanical and Electrical Engineer | 3,030 BGN |
Mechanical Design Engineer | 3,170 BGN |
Mechanical Designer | 2,650 BGN |
Mechanical Engineer | 3,020 BGN |
Mechanical Engineering Manager | 4,110 BGN |
Mechanical Inspector | 2,790 BGN |
Mechatronics Engineer | 3,190 BGN |
Mining Engineer | 2,880 BGN |
Oil and Petrochemical Engineer | 3,090 BGN |
Optical Engineer | 2,860 BGN |
Optical Instrument Assembler | 1,540 BGN |
PCB Assembler | 1,090 BGN |
Photonics Engineer | 3,320 BGN |
Photonics Technician | 2,530 BGN |
Pipeline Engineer | 2,820 BGN |
Piping Designer | 1,560 BGN |
Piping Engineer | 2,720 BGN |
Planning Engineer | 3,010 BGN |
Pressure Vessel Inspector | 1,470 BGN |
Principal Cost Engineer | 2,880 BGN |
Principal Engineer | 3,000 BGN |
Principal Support Engineer | 3,100 BGN |
Process Engineer | 2,900 BGN |
Process Operator | 1,680 BGN |
Product Development Engineer | 3,150 BGN |
Product Development Technician | 2,070 BGN |
Product Engineer | 2,940 BGN |
Product Safety Engineer | 2,840 BGN |
Production Engineer | 2,960 BGN |
Project Engineer | 3,090 BGN |
Proposal Manager | 3,710 BGN |
Purchasing Engineer | 2,780 BGN |
Quality Assurance Engineer | 2,990 BGN |
Rail Engineer | 2,840 BGN |
Robotics Engineer | 3,450 BGN |
Robotics Technician | 2,340 BGN |
Safety Engineer | 2,910 BGN |
Safety Inspector | 2,340 BGN |
Safety Manager | 3,440 BGN |
Safety Officer | 1,550 BGN |
Sales Engineer | 3,180 BGN |
Scheduling Engineer | 2,750 BGN |
Service Engineer | 3,130 BGN |
Solar Engineer | 3,200 BGN |
Staff Engineer | 2,910 BGN |
Static Equipment Engineer | 2,770 BGN |
Stationary Engineer | 2,650 BGN |
Stress Engineer | 2,630 BGN |
Structural Analysis Engineer | 2,870 BGN |
Structural Designer | 2,550 BGN |
Structural Engineer | 2,970 BGN |
Structural Technician | 1,820 BGN |
Supply Chain Specialist | 2,840 BGN |
Surveyor | 2,180 BGN |
Technical Affairs Officer | 1,500 BGN |
Technical Assistant | 1,500 BGN |
Technical Engineer | 2,500 BGN |
Technical Support Engineer | 2,630 BGN |
Tender Engineer | 2,630 BGN |
Test Development Engineer | 2,970 BGN |
Transportation Engineer | 2,860 BGN |
Validation Engineer | 2,680 BGN |
Verification Engineer | 2,740 BGN |
Wastewater Engineer | 2,930 BGN |
Wind Energy Engineer | 3,120 BGN |
Wind Energy Operations Manager | 3,820 BGN |
Work Planner | 1,990 BGN |
![]() 880 BGN |
![]() 2,530 BGN |
![]() 5,900 BGN |
Salaries in Engineering in Bulgaria range from 880 BGN (starting average salary) to 5,900 BGN (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). To clarify, the number presented is not the legally mandated minimum wage. Rather, it represents the lowest figure reported in a salary survey that involved thousands of participants and professionals from across the entire country.
The median income in the field of Engineering is 2,530 BGN, implying that half of the workforce in Bulgaria earns less than this figure, and the other half earns more. It represents the central value of salaries. As a rule of thumb, you would prefer to be part of the group earning above the median wage, situated on the right-hand side of the salary distribution chart.
Two values that are highly correlated with the median are the 25th and 75th percentiles. By examining the salary distribution diagram, it is possible to determine that 25% of individuals employed in Engineering in Bulgaria earn less than 1,890 BGN, while 75% of them earn more. Additionally, the diagram reveals that 75% of individuals earn less than 3,130 BGN, while 25% earn more than that.
Data was regrouped into brackets to provide a better understanding of what salaries can be expected. This approach was deemed more accurate than relying solely on the average salary, as it offers greater insights into the distribution of salaries in the field of Engineering in Bulgaria. The analysis revealed that roughly 65% of all reported salaries fell within the range of 1,300 BGN to 2,410 BGN. Approximately 20% of salaries were below the 1,300 BGN mark, while 10% ranged from 2,410 BGN to 2,920 BGN. Only 5% of individuals earned a gross salary of 2,920 BGN or higher.
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally, the more years of experience the higher the wage.
Generally speaking, employees in Engineering in Bulgaria having experience from two to five years earn on average 32% more than freshers and juniors across all industries and disciplines.
Professionals with experience of more than five years tend to earn on average 36% more than those with five years or less of work experience.
As you hit the ten years mark, the salary increases by 21% and an additional 14% for those who have crossed the 15 years mark.
Those figures are presented as guidelines only. The numbers become more significant if you consider one job title at a time.
It is well known that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income?
We compared the salaries of professionals at the same level but with different college degree levels across many jobs in Engineering in Bulgaria, below are our findings.
Workers with a certificate or diploma earn on average 17% more than their peers who only reached the high school level.
Employees who earned a Bachelor's Degree earn 24% more than those who only managed to attain a certificate or diploma.
Professionals who attained a Master's Degree are awarded salaries that are 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, PhD holders earn 23% more than Master's Degree holders on average while doing the same job.
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Bulgaria costs anywhere from 16,500 BGN to 49,500 BGN and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
Employees can't expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming they already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch to a higher-paying job. The numbers seem to support this tactic. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
The decision really depends on the situation and experience among many other factors. Putting all variables aside, if a person can afford the costs of higher education then the return on investment is definitely worth it. Degree costs can be recovered roughly in a year or so.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In the field of Engineering in Bulgaria, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 6%.
Male | 2,860 BGN | |
Female | -6% | 2,690 BGN |
Professionals working in Engineering in Bulgaria are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 8% every 19 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 7% granted to employees every 20 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Banking | 6% | |
Energy | 3% | |
Information Technology | 9% | |
Healthcare | 6% | |
Travel | 3% | |
Construction | 9% | |
Education | 6% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Bulgaria for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
49% of surveyed staff in Engineering reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 51% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 6% of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | 51% | |
No Bonus | 49% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Average Salary 2019 | 2,470 BGN | |
Average Salary 2020 | +4% | 2,570 BGN |
Average Salary 2021 | +3% | 2,640 BGN |
Average Salary 2022 | +2% | 2,690 BGN |
Salaries for individuals working in Engineering in Bulgaria are rising in the year 2023 based on recently submitted salaries and reports. The trend suggests a slow yet continuous increase in pay in 2024 and future years. These numbers may vary from one industry to another.
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The minimum pay rate per hour for people working in Engineering in Bulgaria is 5 BGN. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
City | Average Salary |
Burgas | 2,910 BGN |
Plovdiv | 3,140 BGN |
Rousse | 2,850 BGN |
Sofia | 3,250 BGN |
Stara Zagora | 2,730 BGN |
Varna | 3,020 BGN |
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Bulgaria is 9% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 3,130 BGN | |
Public Sector | +9% | 3,420 BGN |
A good and competitive compensation would range anywhere between 2,530 BGN and 3,130 BGN. This is a very rough estimate. Experience and education play a very huge part in the final earnings.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
The base salary for jobs in Engineering in Bulgaria ranges from 1,890 BGN to 3,130 BGN. The base salary depends on many factors including experience and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary