Bulgarian Salaries: A Regional Snapshot in Q3 2023
The average Bulgarian salary for the third quarter of 2023 reached BGN 2,275, representing a notable increase of 13.8 percent compared to the same period in 2022. However, this figure dipped slightly by 0.9 percent from the second quarter of the year. Employment figures also show a fluctuating trend: a 1 percent decrease compared to the second quarter, but a positive 1.2 percent growth year-on-year.
Wage Disparity Across Sectors V
A closer look at the data reveals a wage gap between the public and private sectors. During the third quarter, the average public sector salary stood at BGN 2,331, surpassing the private sector average of BGN 2,256.
Highest and Lowest Earners
The “Creation and Distribution of Information and Creative Products, Telecommunications” sector boasted the highest average salary in the third quarter, reaching an impressive BGN 5,127, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 9.8 percent. State administration employees followed closely behind with an average remuneration of BGN 2,671, experiencing a 10.8 percent increase compared to the same period in 2022. On the other end of the spectrum, the “Hotel and Restaurant Industry” reported the lowest average salary at BGN 1,495, despite a significant annual growth of over 18 percent.
Sofia Leads the Way; Regional Variations Persist
Sofia-city emerged as the region with the highest average salary, reaching BGN 3,100. This figure represented a substantial 36 percent premium over the national average. In contrast, Smolyan reported the lowest average salary at BGN 1,524, which amounted to approximately 67 percent of the national average. Other regions with average salaries below BGN 1,600 included Blagoevgrad, Vidin, Kyustendil, and Silistra.
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How do salaries in Bulgaria‘s IT sector compare to other industries?
## Bulgarian Salaries: A Regional Snapshot in Q3 2023
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today we’re taking a look at the latest figures on Bulgarian salaries. Joining us to dissect the data is Alex Reed, an expert on Bulgarian labor market trends.
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** So, the latest figures show an average salary of BGN 2,275 for Q3 2023. What are your takeaways from this figure?
**Alex Reed:** It’s important to remember that this is an average, and salaries vary significantly across regions and sectors. [1](https://www.timecamp.com/average-salary/bulgaria/) highlights the many factors that can impact salary, including industry, experience, and location. While this average figure gives us a general picture, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
**Host:** Absolutely. Can you elaborate on some of these regional differences?
**Alex Reed: ** Certainly. You’ll find that metropolitan areas like Sofia and Plovdiv typically have higher salaries compared to smaller towns and rural areas. This is often driven by a higher concentration of industries like IT and finance in these larger cities.
**Host:** Interesting. And what about the impact of industry on salaries?
**Alex Reed: **Industry plays a crucial role. As mentioned, sectors like IT and finance tend to offer higher salaries due to the specialized skills required. Conversely, sectors like agriculture and retail typically have lower average wages [1](https://www.timecamp.com/average-salary/bulgaria/).
**Host:** That makes sense. Looking ahead, are there any trends you anticipate influencing Bulgarian salaries in the near future?
**Alex Reed: **
It’s difficult to predict with certainty, but I expect to see continued growth in certain sectors like IT and renewable energy. This growth could lead to a rise in salaries in these fields.
**Host:** Great insights! Thank you so much, Alex Reed, for breaking down these figures for our viewers.
