The average monthly salary in Bulgaria stood at 510 leva (260 euros) in Q2, according to preliminary data released by the National Statistics Institute (NSI).

This is 26 leva (5.4%) up compared with the preceding quarter. The hike in the public sector is by 40 leva and in the private by 22 leva.

Employees in the sectors of “financial intermediation” and “production and distribution of energy, gas and water” have the highest average salaries in Bulgaria - 1,280 and 892 leva respectively , according to the Q2 report.

On the other hand, workers in the sectors “hotels and restaurants” and “agriculture, forestry and fishing” are the lowest paid in Bulgaria, with average monthly wages of 326 and 381 leva.

The average salary in Bulgaria is up by 99 leva (24.1%) compared with Q2 in 2007. The hike in the public sector is by 24.6% and in the private sector by 24.9%.

Photo: BGNES