The average salary reaches 90 thousand lek at the beginning of the year / Construction marks the strongest growth among economic activities
The average gross monthly salary for an employee in Albania reached 90,119 lekë during the first quarter of 2026, according to the latest INSTAT data. Compared to the same period a year earlier, the average salary has increased by 9.6%, reflecting the continued upward trend in labor income.
The data shows that financial and insurance activities continue to remain the best in terms of salaries, with an average salary of around 157 thousand lek per month. In second place is the information and communication sector, where the average salary reaches around 131 thousand lek, remaining significantly above the national average.
On the other hand, the construction sector has recorded the highest wage growth during this period. Compared to a year ago, the average wage in this activity has increased by 22.2%, reflecting the high demand for labor and the continuous development of the industry. In contrast, the lowest growth was recorded in the activities of art, entertainment, recreation and other services, where wages have increased by only 5.5%.
Even by professional group, the differences remain significant. The highest salaries are recorded among managers, legislators and executive directors, who benefit on average with 136 thousand lek per month. Meanwhile, specialists with higher education or professionals are paid an average of 116 thousand lek, also ranking above the national average.
Regarding the rate of wage growth by occupation, the best performance was recorded by craftsmen, artisans and related occupations, with an increase of 15.7%. They are followed by workers in elementary occupations, where the average wage increased by 15.3%.
The data for the first quarter of 2026 also show a greater concentration of employees at the ends of the wage distribution. This means that both the number of employees paid the minimum wage and that of employees with high wages has increased. A direct impact on this development has been the increase in the minimum wage in the country from 40,000 lek to 50,000 lek, which entered into force on 1 January 2026 by decision of the Council of Ministers.
Overall, the figures show that the labor market in Albania continues to be accompanied by wage increases, although differences between sectors and professions remain visible.
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