A person working in Bulgaria typically earns around 3,320 BGN. Salaries range from 840 BGN (lowest average) to 14,700 BGN (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Bulgaria vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Minimum Salary 840 BGN |
Median 2,970 BGN |
Maximum 14,700 BGN |
Salaries in Bulgaria range from 840 BGN (starting salary) to 14,700 BGN (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
The median salary is 2,970 BGN, which means that 50% of the population in Bulgaria earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Bulgaria earn less than 2,150 BGN while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 4,500 BGN while 25% earn more than that.
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Bulgaria. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 1,970 BGN to 5,060 BGN. Approximately 20% fall under the 1,970 BGN cap. Ten percent of wages are from 5,060 BGN to 6,460 BGN. Only 5% of people grossed 6,460 BGN or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Bulgaria, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.
Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.
After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.
These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.
The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?
We conducted a study in Bulgaria comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.
Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.
Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Bulgaria is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 16,600 BGN to 49,700 BGN and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.
Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Bulgaria, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 6% across all career fields.
Male | 3,410 BGN | |
Female | -6% | 3,200 BGN |
Employees in Bulgaria are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 7% 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
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 Bulgaria 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.
Finance | High | |
Architecture | High | |
Sales | High | |
Business Development | High | |
Marketing / Advertising | High | |
Information Technology | Moderate | |
Healthcare | Moderate | |
Insurance | Moderate | |
Customer Service | Moderate | |
Human Resources | Moderate | |
Construction | Low | |
Transport | Low | |
Hospitality | Low |
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.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 2,260 BGN |
Accounting Assistant | 1,830 BGN |
Accounting Manager | 4,920 BGN |
Bookkeeper | 1,620 BGN |
Chartered Accountant | 3,130 BGN |
Corporate Treasurer | 4,530 BGN |
Financial Analyst | 4,160 BGN |
Financial Manager | 6,480 BGN |
Internal Auditor | 3,080 BGN |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 1,710 BGN |
Office Manager | 2,920 BGN |
Receptionist | 1,610 BGN |
Secretary | 1,560 BGN |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 3,420 BGN |
Creative Director | 3,190 BGN |
Graphic Designer | 2,170 BGN |
Photographer | 1,850 BGN |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 4,230 BGN |
Air Traffic Controller | 3,760 BGN |
Flight Attendant | 2,360 BGN |
Pilot | 5,690 BGN |
Architecture | |
Architect | 3,950 BGN |
CAD Drafter | 1,730 BGN |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 1,310 BGN |
Service Advisor | 2,330 BGN |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 5,710 BGN |
Teller | 1,260 BGN |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 2,560 BGN |
Translator | 3,130 BGN |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 4,040 BGN |
Business Development Manager | 5,080 BGN |
Project Manager | 4,120 BGN |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 1,400 BGN |
Nursery Teacher | 1,210 BGN |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 2,980 BGN |
Construction Project Manager | 5,430 BGN |
Health and Safety Officer | 1,460 BGN |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 1,310 BGN |
Customer Service Manager | 4,690 BGN |
Customer Service Representative | 1,220 BGN |
Engineering | |
Civil Engineer | 3,040 BGN |
Electrical Engineer | 3,240 BGN |
Engineer | 3,010 BGN |
Mechanical Engineer | 3,020 BGN |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 7,850 BGN |
Chief Financial Officer | 6,890 BGN |
General Manager | 6,080 BGN |
Project Manager | 3,780 BGN |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 2,120 BGN |
Executive Chef | 2,370 BGN |
Hotel Manager | 6,090 BGN |
Receptionist | 1,200 BGN |
Travel Agent | 2,050 BGN |
Waiter / Waitress | 1,060 BGN |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 8,250 BGN |
Dietitian | 6,790 BGN |
Laboratory Technician | 2,400 BGN |
Nurse | 2,590 BGN |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 5,170 BGN |
Human Resources Officer | 1,930 BGN |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 2,460 BGN |
Database Administrator | 3,220 BGN |
Developer / Programmer | 3,210 BGN |
Information Technology Manager | 5,300 BGN |
Network Engineer | 2,830 BGN |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 1,960 BGN |
Legal | |
Attorney | 6,360 BGN |
Legal Assistant | 1,770 BGN |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 3,810 BGN |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 2,710 BGN |
Pharmacist | 4,330 BGN |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 1,280 BGN |
Sales Manager | 5,700 BGN |
Sales Representative | 2,220 BGN |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 2,400 BGN |
Secondary School Teacher | 2,630 BGN |
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 a person 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 |
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 | 3,140 BGN | |
Public Sector | +9% | 3,440 BGN |
It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Bulgaria would range anywhere between 2,970 BGN and 4,500 BGN.
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 in Bulgaria ranges from 840 BGN to 2,150 BGN. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, 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