Key Facts: Bulgaria Wages
- Country
- Bulgaria (BGR)
- Continent
- Europe
- Currency
- Bulgarian Lev (BGN)
- Minimum Wage
- лв7.30 /hr ($4.40 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- лв2,200 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- лв26,400 /year
- Median Individual Income
- лв14,400 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Labour and Social Policy; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-04
Bulgaria — Average Salary & Wages
Bulgarian Lev (BGN) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Bulgaria is
лв26,400 a year
But half of all workers earn less than лв14,400 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Bulgaria is лв7.30/hr ($4.40 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is лв2,200 ($1,325.30 USD). The median monthly income is лв1,200 ($722.89 USD).
Bulgaria's minimum wage is among the lowest for Europe, ranking #30 out of 40 countries with statutory minimum wages. Over the past 6 years, the minimum wage has increased by 99% in nominal terms. The standard work week is 40 hours.
Average gross monthly earnings for employees. Net estimated after 10% flat income tax and 13.78% employee social/health contributions.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2020, the minimum wage has grown +99% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Bulgaria, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $9.61/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Bulgaria earns лв1,265/mo. That is 57% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- лв1,265 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 57% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $762.05/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +99% since 2020
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- лв7.30
- Monthly
- лв1,213
- Annual
- лв14,556Based on 12 monthly payments
Minimalna rabotna zaplata. 2026 rate of BGN 1,213/month (~€620) effective January 1, 2026 — 12.6% increase from 2025's BGN 1,077. Set by the Council of Ministers. Bulgaria's minimum wage has been increasing rapidly as part of EU convergence. The BGN is pegged to the EUR at a fixed rate of 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 75% for weekends, 100% for public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 150 hours.
How Bulgaria Compares
| Metric | Bulgaria | Europe Avg. | Europe Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $4.40/hr | $8.37/hr | $17.79/hr (Luxembourg) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $1,325.30/mo | $3,218.62/mo | $9,615.38/mo (Switzerland) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Montenegro | $4.41 |
| Macau | $4.34 |
| Bahrain | $4.60 |
| North Macedonia | $3.95 |
| Oman | $4.88 |
| Bulgaria | $4.40 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Belgium Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Bulgaria on our sister site.
Cost of living in Bulgaria on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Bulgaria?
The minimum wage in Bulgaria is лв7.30/hr (approximately $4.40 USD), effective since 2026-01-01. Minimalna rabotna zaplata. 2026 rate of BGN 1,213/month (~€620) effective January 1, 2026 — 12.6% increase from 2025's BGN 1,077. Set by the Council of Ministers. Bulgaria's minimum wage has been increasing rapidly as part of EU convergence. The BGN is pegged to the EUR at a fixed rate of 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR.
What is the average salary in Bulgaria?
The average gross monthly salary in Bulgaria is лв2,200 (approximately $1,325.30 USD). Average gross monthly earnings for employees. Net estimated after 10% flat income tax and 13.78% employee social/health contributions. Source: National Statistical Institute (NSI) (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in Bulgaria?
The standard work week in Bulgaria is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 40 hours over 5 days. Overtime premium: 50% for weekdays, 75% for weekends, 100% for public holidays. Annual overtime limit of 150 hours.
How has the minimum wage in Bulgaria changed over time?
The minimum wage in Bulgaria has changed as follows: лв610 in 2020, лв650 in 2021, лв710 in 2022, лв780 in 2023, лв933 in 2024, лв1,077 in 2025, лв1,213 in 2026. This represents 7 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Bulgaria in USD?
The minimum wage in Bulgaria converts to approximately $4.40/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Bulgaria in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Bulgaria is approximately $1,325.30 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Bulgaria's minimum wage compare to the Europe average?
Bulgaria's minimum wage ranks #30 out of 40 countries with statutory minimum wages in Europe, placing it below the median for Europe.
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