ZAGREB, 3 July (Hina) - Employees in the IT, telecommunications, and information sectors have the highest salaries in Croatia, with earnings on average 21% above the national average, while average salaries in state-owned companies remain below average, according to an analysis published by the job portal MojPosao.
According to data from the MojaPlaća (MySalary) service - managed by Alma Career Croatia, which also operates MojPosao - the average monthly net salary in Croatia, including bonuses, was €1,526 in the second quarter of 2025. This represents a 4% increase compared to the previous quarter and a 17% increase year-over-year.
The median salary, which better reflects actual income distribution, is slightly lower than the average at €1,410, indicating that more than half of employees earn less than the average salary.
Compared to the previous quarter, the median salary also rose by 4%, and is 18% higher than in Q1 2024.
Overall, the highest-paying sectors are IT, telecommunications, and information sectors, with earnings 21% above the average. On the other hand, the lowest salaries were recorded in tourism, where they are 10% below the average.
Aside from managerial positions, where salaries are double the national average and exceed €3,000, the best-paid jobs are in technology, development, and IT. Employees in technology and development earn 37% above average, or €2,098, while IT professionals earn 21% more than the average, or €1,850.
The lowest average salaries are found in support roles, earning 37% below the national average at €964, and in the textile industry, where salaries average €1,021, or 33% below the average.
State-owned companies still below average
Salaries in privately owned foreign companies are 9% above the average, amounting to €1,669 net. In contrast, employees in mostly domestically owned companies earn 1% less than the average, or €1,516, although these companies saw the most significant year-over-year salary growth at 21%.
Average salaries in state-owned companies are €1,493 net, or 2% below the average. Workers in public and local government earn €1,529 per month, which aligns with the national average.
Salaries highest in Zagreb, lowest in eastern Croatia
Salaries are the lowest in eastern Croatia: 17% below average in Vukovar-Srijem County, and 18% below average in Požega-Slavonia and Virovitica-Podravina counties.
The highest average salary is recorded in the City of Zagreb at €1,671—9% above average. The median salary there is €1,540, meaning half of the workers earn less and half earn more.
Compared to the same quarter last year, the highest salary increases were in regions with previously lower pay: Krapina-Zagorje County saw a 30% rise, while Osijek-Baranja and Požega-Slavonia counties saw 21% growth.
As expected, the analysis shows that workers with more experience and higher education earn more. Specifically, those with postgraduate or MBA degrees earn an average of €2,506 - 64% above average. Employees with a university degree earn 13% more than average (€1,719), and 31% more than those with secondary education, who earn €1,312 (14% below average).
The report also shows that workers with no experience earn €1,180 - 23% below average - while those with one to two years of experience earn €1,315, or 14% below average. Salaries approach the national average after three to five years of experience, and surpass it afterward.
The highest salaries are, as expected, earned by employees with over 10 years of experience - €1,672, or 10% above average.
Men still earn significantly more than women
In Q2 2025, men earned 15% more than women on average. Men's average monthly net salary was €1,640, compared to €1,426 for women.
MojaPlaća.hr is a service that tracks salaries for individual job positions across Croatia. The ongoing survey includes nearly 600 job roles in 36 industries. Respondents are continuously surveyed online, with over 35,000 currently participating.
