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Who is paid the most in Albania? Finance, technology and administration top the list
2026-03-16 09:38:22 / EKONOMI&SOCIALE
Anyone who chooses a profession or job does so, ultimately, with one clear goal: to maximize income.
In a rapidly changing job market, with increasing demand for some occupations and a shortage of workers in others, wages are becoming a clear indicator of where the economy is moving.
In Albania, the average gross monthly salary reached 84 thousand lekë in 2025, increasing by 8.6% compared to the previous year. The increase has been reflected in almost all sectors of the economy and in most professions, but some of them have benefited more than others from recent economic developments.
Sectors that pay the most
According to economic activities, financial and insurance activities continue to remain the highest-paid sector in the country. In 2025, the average salary in this sector reached a record of 161 thousand lek per month, with an increase of 6.3% compared to the previous year.
Another sector that is consolidating among the highest-paying is information and communication technology. This sector, driven by technological developments and the lack of qualified specialists, pays an average of 127 thousand lek per month, with an increase of 8.5% in 2025.
Public administration and defense marked another symbolic moment. For the first time, the average salary in this activity reached 100 thousand lek per month, making it the third highest-paid sector in the country, with an annual growth of 9.2%.
Meanwhile, real estate activities are rapidly increasing wages, in line with the rapid developments in the construction sector. The average wage in this activity reached about 90 thousand lek per month, ranking it as the fourth highest-paid activity in the economy. Many young people are encouraged to work in the sale and purchase of apartments due to the fast and high returns it has.
Construction and tourism increase wages faster
In percentage terms, the sector that has seen the highest wage increase is construction, with an increase of 14%, reaching around 69 thousand lek per month. This is related to the high demand for workers in this sector, as a result of the construction boom in the country.
The sector that includes trade, transport, accommodation activities and food service also experienced high growth, where the average salary reached almost 69 thousand lekë, with an increase of 10.3%. This is mainly related to the increasing demand for employees in the tourism and services sector.
In other sectors, the growth was more moderate. Industry pays an average of 70 thousand lek per month, while arts, entertainment and recreation reach around 81 thousand lek. At the bottom of the list remains agriculture, forestry and fishing, where the average salary is 55.5 thousand lek per month, although this sector also marked an increase compared to a year ago.
The highest paid professions
According to occupational groups, the best paid continue to be managers, legislators, senior civil servants and executive directors, with an average salary of 132 thousand lek per month in 2025, or 6.7% more than a year ago.
Education continues to be an important factor in income. Specialists with higher education are paid an average of 111 thousand lek per month, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2024.
The armed forces with the highest growth
One of the most notable developments of the year was the increase in salaries for the armed forces. The average salary for this profession reached 107 thousand lek per month, crossing the 100 thousand lek mark for the first time and marking the largest increase among professions, with 16% on an annual basis.
The increase in salaries in this sector is also related to Albania's growing commitments within NATO and the need to strengthen the country's defense capabilities. Albania has already reached the Alliance's objective of spending over 2% of Gross Domestic Product on defense, one of NATO's main standards for member countries.
In addition to the budget increase, the salary policy also aims to attract more young people to the army and retain qualified personnel, at a time when the country is increasing its participation in Alliance missions and operations. In this context, the government has launched a program of gradual salary increases for military personnel, which at some levels is expected to reach an increase of up to 60-70% for basic salaries in the coming years, as part of the reform to bring the Albanian army closer to NATO standards.
Growth also for technical professions and services
Technical and enforcement-related professions are also seeing salary improvements. Technicians and enforcement specialists are paid an average of 93,000 lek per month, while clerks receive around 85,000 lek.
In the services sector, sales and service employees are paid around 64 thousand lek per month, while employees assembling and operating machinery and equipment receive an average of 63 thousand lek.
Salaries are lower for workers in elementary occupations, at around 54 thousand lek per month, as well as for qualified agricultural workers, where the average salary is around 52 thousand lek.
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