Bulgaria is an excellent outsourcing destination due to its cost-effective labor and skilled workforce. Employers thinking of hiring in the region may wonder, what is the average salary in Bulgaria? This article will provide all the information you need to make a fair offer.

The average salary in Bulgaria is 2275 BGN (Bulgarian Lev), which translates to approximately USD 1210. However, this number provides limited insight. You must also consider how education, experience, location, and profession impact salaries in the region.

This article will explore all aspects of salaries in Bulgaria and provide the information you need to know.

What is the Average Salary in Bulgaria?

The average salary is calculated by adding salaries from across the country and dividing the total by the number of workers. Average Bulgaria salary is 2,275 BGN, approximately $1,270. Bulgaria median salary and salary range provide more insight.

Median Income

The median salary is also known as the ‘middle salary.’ Bulgaria’s median monthly income is about 2,000 BGN (approximately $1,120). That means 50% of Bulgarian workers make more than this amount, and 50% earn less.

Salary Range

The salary range spans from the lowest to the highest in the country. Low-paid Bulgarian workers can earn as little as 840 BGN monthly (approximately $470), while high-paid workers can earn close to 14,700 BGN (roughly $8,200).

Salary Comparison by Profession

Salaries vary among industries, with skilled workers making more than manual laborers. This salary comparison chart lists salaries in Bulgaria across various sectors.

Profession
Annual Salary (BGN)
Lead Developer
8,505
IT Director
8,189
Chief Executive Officer
7,804
IT Architect
7,752
IT Manager
6,328
Technical Director
6,211
Call Center Director
6,134
Financial Manager
5,541
Sales Director
5,538
DevOps Engineer
5,215
Customer Service Rep
2,208
Data Entry Specialist
1,500
Clothing Technologist
1,429
General Laborer
1,378
Medical Orderly
1,343
Machine Operator
1,184
Tailor
1,137
Porter
1,113
Fabric Cutter
1,094

Average Wage in Bulgaria by Education

Education has a direct impact on the salary of Bulgarian workers. It also affects employment levels.

Just 47% of 25- to 34-year-olds without an upper secondary qualification are employed, compared to 79% in the same age group with an upper secondary, post-secondary, or non-tertiary qualification.

Workers without a secondary qualification are also at risk of earning low salaries. 42% of 25—to 64-year-olds with just a primary education receive earnings at or below the median income, compared to 17% of workers with an upper secondary and post-secondary qualification and 8% with a non-tertiary qualification.

Salary Comparison by Experience

Bulgaria’s work economy honors a ‘length of service pay’ or an incremental increase of .6% every year employees have worked at a company or a similar profession. Salary offers typically consider the ‘length of service’ pay amount.

Salary Comparison by Location

Location also affects salary. Workers in major cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna may make more than workers in rural areas due to the higher cost of living and more job opportunities. Average salaries for urban workers may be around 3,100 BGN, while workers in rural areas earn closer to 1,900 BGN.

How Much is Minimum Wage in Bulgaria?

The minimum wage in Bulgaria increased to 1,213 BGN per month (equivalent to €620.20) effective January 1, 2026, up from 1,077 BGN in 2026 — a 12.6 % increase set by the Council of Ministers. The minimum hourly wage was raised to 7.31 BGN (about €3.74) as part of the same decision.

This increase reflects government efforts to boost earnings for nearly 600,000 workers but has faced mixed reactions from employers and industry groups, some of whom argue the hike may not fully consider broader economic conditions and could impact competitiveness.

Average Salary in Bulgaria vs. the Rest of the World

The following sections compare Bulgarian wages to those of developed, developing, and underdeveloped countries worldwide, helping you better understand the country’s salary.

Bulgaria vs. Developed Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Bulgaria Salary
United Kingdom
£3,000 (approx. $4,100)
− 69%
United States
$5,220
− 76%
Norway
50,000 NOK (approx. $4,700)
− 73%
Germany
€4,300 (approx. $4,470)
− 72%
Austria
€3,700 (approx. $4,050)
− 69%

Bulgaria vs. Developing Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Bulgaria Salary
Romania
4,000 RON (approx. $835)
52%
Russia
73,700 RUB (approx. $700)
81%
Albania
83,330 ALL (approx. $860)
29%
Kazakhstan
342,000 KZT (approx. $645)
97%
Ukraine
18,000 UAH (approx. $500)
154%

Bulgaria vs. Undeveloped Countries

Country
Average Salary
Comparison to Average Bulgaria Salary
Thailand
15,000 Baht (approx. $420)
202%
Philippines
15,000 PHP (approx. $265)
379%
Vietnam
7.5 million Dong (approx. $300)
323%
Egypt
3,900 EGP (approx. $125)
916%
Pakistan
60,000 PKR (approx. $210)
505%

Bulgaria is a developing country with a market-based economy. It offers cost-effective labor, a skilled workforce, and a business-friendly environment. The time zone aligns well with Central and Western European countries. 

Bulgaria’s work economy is driven by construction, mining, agriculture, and service-based industries. It is the largest electricity exporter in southeastern Europe, and its economy has grown significantly since the fall of the Soviet Union.

What are the Most Common Outsourced Industries in Bulgaria?

Employers considering outsourcing to Bavaria may seek workers in the following sectors.

IT Services

Bulgaria boasts a large pool of skilled IT professionals with significant growth in software development. It is home to various startups and innovation hubs, particularly near the capital city of Sofia. The government actively supports the IT sector through initiatives that foster innovation.

IT workers in the region typically earn between 2,146 BGN (approximately $1,200) and 6,288 BGN (roughly $3,520). This rate compares to American workers earning about $5,058 a month, resulting in significant employer savings.

Customer Support

Bulgari offers a thriving customer support industry, particularly in the call center sector, due to its strong multilingual capabilities and well-educated workforce. Many businesses praise Bulgarian call center services, noting reps’ abilities to handle complex technical support issues. Its zone alignment with other European countries also ensures accessibility.

A skilled customer service rep can make around 2,218 BGN monthly (approx. $1,240). American reps make closer to $3,300 monthly.

Finance and Accounting

Bulgaria’s finance and accounting outsourcing industry is experiencing significant growth thanks to its competitive costs, multilingual workers, and business-friendly regulations. Tax incentives streamline registration, and EU regulations like GDPR ensure compliance and data security.

Accountants in Bulgaria make an average of 2,717 BGN per month (approx. $1,520) as compared to American accountants who make closer to $5,700. The cost savings make Bulgaria an ideal destination for financial services.

Conclusion

Bulgaria offers a highly skilled workforce, a convenient European location, and a low cost of living that contributes to affordable average salaries. Companies that hire regional employees can access a wealth of talent while reducing human resource expenses, which benefits both the hirer and the hiree.