Understanding Salaries in Italy: A Guide for Expats and Newcomers (2025)

by Adriana ruiz

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If you’re an expat living in Italy or someone considering relocating, understanding the salary landscape remains a crucial element in planning your life in the country. This article provides an overview of average salaries in Italy, how they vary by profession, age, gender, education, and region, as well as how they compare to other European nations. Please note that while we strive for accuracy, data for the entirety of 2025 is still emerging, and these figures represent the latest available information and projections.

Average Salary in Italy

Early data and forecasts for 2025 suggest a slight upward trend in nominal wages. The average gross annual salary (RAL) in Italy for private sector employees is estimated to be around €30,800 – €31,500. However, salaries continue to exhibit significant variations based on the specific role:

• Executives: Likely to maintain high earnings, potentially averaging above €105,000.
• Managers: Expected to see a slight increase, possibly averaging around €56,500 – €57,500.
• Office Employees: A modest rise is anticipated, with averages potentially reaching €32,500 – €33,500.
• Manual Workers: Gradual increases are expected, potentially bringing the average to €26,000 – €26,800.

Net salaries (after taxes and deductions) continue to vary depending on the number of monthly payments (13 or 14) in a year and individual tax situations. Based on the projected gross figures, a manager might take home approximately €2,700 – €2,800 net on a 13-month plan, while an executive could earn around €4,550 – €4,650 net. Office employees and manual workers might typically see net monthly salaries in the range of €1,850 – €1,950 and €1,550 – €1,650 respectively.

Public vs. Private Sector Pay

The trend of public sector workers earning slightly more on average than their private sector counterparts is expected to persist in 2025. The average gross annual salary in the public sector is projected to be around €37,500 – €38,500.

Top-Paying Professions and Industries

Highly skilled sectors are anticipated to continue leading in terms of salary:

• Banking and Financial Services: Average salaries are likely to remain high, potentially exceeding €47,000 – €48,000.
• Engineering: With strong demand, average salaries could rise to over €41,000 – €42,000.
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotech: This sector is also expected to maintain high earning potential, possibly averaging above €40,000 – €41,000.
• Information Technology (IT): The tech industry continues to be a strong performer, with average monthly salaries for skilled professionals ranging from €3,000 to €3,700.

Conversely, sectors such as personal services, hotels, and restaurants are still expected to have lower average wages, reflecting the demand for specialized skills and the nature of the work.

Salary by Age

The pattern of salaries increasing with age, albeit at a slowing rate over time, is projected to continue:

• 15-24 years: Average annual salary potentially around €25,000 – €25,500.
• 25-34 years: Could see an average in the range of €27,500 – €28,500.
• 35-44 years: Might average between €30,000 – €31,000.
• 45-54 years: Potentially reaching an average of €32,500 – €33,500.
• 55-64 years: Could see averages around €34,500 – €35,500.

Regional Salary Differences

The geographical disparity in salaries between Northern and Southern Italy is expected to remain significant, with a gap of around 13-15% anticipated.

• Highest Salaries: Lombardy, Lazio, and Liguria are projected to continue offering the highest average salaries, with Lombardy potentially averaging around €34,000 – €35,000. At the provincial level, Milan, Trieste, Rome, and Bologna are likely to remain at the top.
• Lowest Salaries: Regions like Basilicata, Calabria, and Puglia are expected to maintain the lowest average salaries, potentially ranging from €26,500 to €27,800 annually. Matera, Crotone, and Ragusa will likely remain at the lower end of the provincial scale.

Comparing Italy with Europe

Italy’s average salary is still expected to be slightly below the overall European Union average. While countries like Luxembourg, Denmark, and Ireland continue to have average salaries exceeding €50,000 per year, Italy’s wage growth is projected to be more gradual.

Salary Growth and Real Wages

Following the projected recovery in 2024, real wage growth (adjusted for inflation) is expected to continue in 2025, although the precise full-year figure is yet to be determined. Current forecasts suggest a continued positive trend, which is crucial for maintaining living standards amidst potential inflationary pressures.

Education and Salary

The strong correlation between educational attainment and earning potential is expected to persist. Individuals with university degrees, particularly in high-demand fields such as Economics, Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacy, and increasingly, Computer Science, are projected to earn significantly more than those with lower levels of education – potentially still around 2.5 times more than those with only a middle school education.

Gender Pay Gap

Italy continues to grapple with the gender pay gap, particularly in the private sector, where it is expected to remain a significant concern, potentially still around 16-17%. The public sector, however, is likely to maintain one of the lowest gender pay gaps in Europe, around 4-5%. The average annual earnings for men are projected to remain higher than those for women.

Factors Influencing Salaries

The key factors influencing salary levels in Italy are expected to remain consistent:

• Location: Northern regions and major metropolitan areas will continue to offer higher wages due to economic activity and industry concentration.
• Industry: Highly specialized and in-demand sectors will continue to command higher salaries.
• Education: Higher levels of education and specialized skills will translate to increased earning potential.
• Experience: Years of professional experience will continue to be a significant factor in salary progression.

Hourly Wages and Cost of Living

Estimates for the average hourly wage in Italy in mid-2025 are around €12 – €12.50, but this varies considerably by sector and job type. The cost of living continues to be a significant factor, particularly in major cities like Milan and Rome, where expenses can be considerably higher than in smaller towns, especially in the south. While southern towns generally offer a lower cost of living, they also tend to have lower average wages.

Minimum Wage Considerations

As of May 2025, Italy still does not have a statutory national minimum wage. Wage floors are primarily determined through collective bargaining agreements at the sector level. Discussions regarding the introduction of a national minimum wage are ongoing at the political level, but no nationwide law has been implemented yet. The informal minimum wage established by these agreements often falls in the range of €7 – €9 per hour, depending on the industry and role.

In Summary

Salaries in Italy continue to exhibit considerable variation based on a multitude of factors, including location, profession, education, and experience. While a modest upward trend in nominal wages is anticipated for 2025, expats and newcomers should conduct thorough research into the specific salary ranges for their profession and the cost of living in their intended region. Understanding these nuances is crucial for making informed decisions about their financial well-being and overall quality of life in Italy.

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