Average net median wage up by 0.7 pct in October, reaching RON 2,392

In October 2017, the average net nominal earnings were RON 2,392, increasing by RON 16 (0.7 percent) from the previous month, according to data released today by the National Institute of Statistics. The gross average salary increased to RON 3,327.

The highest values of the average net earnings were recorded in computer programming, consultancy and related activities (RON 6,504), and the lowest were in accommodation and food service activities (RON 1,415).

Compared to October 2016, the average net earnings increased by 13.5 percent. Fluctuations during the year were mainly determined by annual premiums and holiday bonuses.

The real earnings index, calculated as the ratio between the net nominal earnings index and the consumer prices index, in relation with the same period of previous year was 110.6 percent, and 99.4 percent in relation to the previous month.

In October, the average net earnings were higher in the majority of activities in the economic sector. The increases were due to the granting of occasional bonuses (including quarterly, annual or performance bonuses, payments in kind and other allowances, amounts from the net profit and other funds (including meal vouchers and gift tickets), production achievements or higher receipts (depending on contracts).

The most significant increases in average net earnings were in insurance, reinsurance and pension funding (+5.0 percent), publishing activities and manufacture of basic metals (+4.0 – 4.5 percent), financial service activities, mining and quarrying, furniture manufacturing, scientific research and development, metal ore mining, other manufacturing, water collection, treatment and supply, tobacco products manufacturing, sewerage (all between +2.0 – 3.5 percent).

The most significant decreases have been recorded in October in: crude petroleum and natural gas extraction (-19.0 percent); mining and support service activities, manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products, telecommunications (by 7.0 – 12.5 percent); activities auxiliary to financial services and insurance, manufacture of textiles, manufacture of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations, crop and animal production, hunting and related services, manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products (by 1.5 – 2.5 percent).

In the budgetary sector, increases were registered against September 2017 in education (+4.4 percent) due to the amounts representing hourly payments of teaching staff, in public administration (+0.9 percent), and in health and social assistance (+0.6 percent).