Key Facts: Moldova Wages
- Country
- Moldova (MDA)
- Continent
- Europe
- Currency
- Moldovan leu (MDL)
- Minimum Wage
- L32.54 /hr ($1.90 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- L15,500 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- L186,000 /year
- Median Individual Income
- L84,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 40 hours
- Data Source
- Government of the Republic of Moldova / Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Moldova — Average Salary & Wages
Moldovan leu (MDL) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Moldova is
L186,000 a year
But half of all workers earn less than L84,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Moldova is L32.54/hr ($1.90 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is L15,500 ($905.90 USD). The median monthly income is L7,000 ($409.12 USD).
Estimates. Moldova remains one of the lowest-income countries in Europe. Remittances from workers abroad supplement many household incomes. Significant urban-rural divide.
Average gross monthly wage. The IT and financial sectors pay 2-3x the average. Private sector wages (~MDL 14,920) exceed public sector (~MDL 11,737). Net estimated after flat income tax (12%) and social contributions (~6% employee share). Chisinau wages are substantially above the national average.
Minimum Wage Trend
Since 2020, the minimum wage has grown +98% in nominal terms.
• PPP ADJUSTED
In Moldova, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $4.49/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 Moldova earns L5,640/mo. That is 36% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- L5,640 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 36% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $329.63/mo monthly
- Nominal growth
- +98% since 2020
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- L32.54
- Monthly
- L5,500
- Annual
- L66,00012 monthly payments
Salariu minim. Set by government decision. The 10% increase from MDL 5,000 to MDL 5,500 was adopted in December 2024 (Decision No. 846). Moldova unified its minimum wage system in 2022, eliminating the previous distinction between public and private sector minimums. Moldova does not mandate a 13th month salary.
Work Week
- Standard
- 40 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 48 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (35 hrs/week) for hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year (240 with employee consent). Overtime premium at least 50% for first 2 hours and 100% thereafter. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%.
How Moldova Compares
| Metric | Moldova | Europe Avg. | Europe Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $1.90/hr | $8.37/hr | $17.79/hr (Luxembourg) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $905.90/mo | $3,218.62/mo | $9,615.38/mo (Switzerland) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Honduras | $1.92 |
| Bolivia | $1.88 |
| Paraguay | $1.94 |
| Dominica | $1.85 |
| Ecuador | $1.96 |
| Moldova | $1.90 |
Related Wage Comparisons
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Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Moldova on our sister site.
Cost of living in Moldova on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Moldova?
The minimum wage in Moldova is L32.54/hr (approximately $1.90 USD), effective since 2025-01-01. Salariu minim. Set by government decision. The 10% increase from MDL 5,000 to MDL 5,500 was adopted in December 2024 (Decision No. 846). Moldova unified its minimum wage system in 2022, eliminating the previous distinction between public and private sector minimums. Moldova does not mandate a 13th month salary.
What is the average salary in Moldova?
The average gross monthly salary in Moldova is L15,500 (approximately $905.90 USD). Average gross monthly wage. The IT and financial sectors pay 2-3x the average. Private sector wages (~MDL 14,920) exceed public sector (~MDL 11,737). Net estimated after flat income tax (12%) and social contributions (~6% employee share). Chisinau wages are substantially above the national average. Source: National Bureau of Statistics of Moldova (NBS) (2025).
How many hours is the standard work week in Moldova?
The standard work week in Moldova is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Labour Code sets standard workweek at 40 hours (8 hrs/day). Reduced hours (35 hrs/week) for hazardous conditions. Overtime limited to 120 hours per year (240 with employee consent). Overtime premium at least 50% for first 2 hours and 100% thereafter. Night work (22:00-06:00) premium at least 50%.
How has the minimum wage in Moldova changed over time?
The minimum wage in Moldova has changed as follows: L2,775 in 2020, L2,935 in 2021, L3,500 in 2022, L4,000 in 2023, L5,000 in 2024, L5,500 in 2025. This represents 6 recorded adjustments.
What is the minimum wage in Moldova in USD?
The minimum wage in Moldova converts to approximately $1.90/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 Moldova in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Moldova is approximately $905.90 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Moldova's minimum wage compare to the Europe average?
Moldova's minimum wage ranks #36 out of 40 countries with statutory minimum wages in Europe, placing it below the median for Europe.
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