The minimum wage and average salary in Italy in 2026

As one of the biggest European economies, Italy is a popular country for expats to move to. It has several thriving industries, including tourism, hospitality, and car manufacturing, with strong labor laws protecting workers.

So, what will you be earning once you move there? And how can you make the most of your Italian salary, especially if you need to manage money across borders? Some foreign workers in Italy use services like Wise to handle their finances between Italy and their home country, managing multiple currencies efficiently. 

Here’s what you need to know about wages and salaries in Italy:

What is the minimum wage in Italy in 2026?

Italy is one of only six countries in the European Union (EU) without a statutory minimum wage. While the Constitution includes workers’ rights to a liveable wage for them and their families (sect. 36), the details of this have never been set out in law.

Instead, national collective agreements (contrattazione collettiva nazionale di lavoro – CCNL) protect around 95% of workers in Italy across many industries. However, this doesn’t cover all sectors, and not all of these agreements include salaries. Because of this, Italy has one of the highest proportions of the ‘working poor’ in the EU.

There have been moves by some political parties in Italy to introduce a minimum wage (salario minimo) in line with EU standards. A minimum wage bill was put forward in parliament in 2019, looking to set a national minimum of around €9/hour, but this has yet to succeed. Average minimum wage estimates are currently around €7–9/hour (2026).

The current Italian wage rates, protected by collective bargaining, are adjusted annually according to inflation and are usually renegotiated every few years. You can check the details of existing agreements here (in Italian).

Similar to wages, employers also set minimum annual leave in Italy through a collective bargaining process. The current minimum for most sectors is four weeks per year. However, the country follows the EU law stipulation to set the maximum number of hours in a working week (48).

What is the average salary in Italy?

According to Eurostat, the average gross salary in 2024 Italy was around €33,523 per year (roughly €2,794 per month), below the EU average of €39,808. Meanwhile, Salary Expert reports that the average salary in 2026 is more like €39,747 per year (i.e., €3,312 per month).

Regarding net incomes, OECD data shows that the average Italian household has US$38,700 (€33,098) disposable income per year after taxes and living expenses. This is slightly above the OECD average of US$38,300 (€32,755).

Average salary by sector in Italy

Salaries in Italy vary between job sectors as well as within industries. The most recent earnings report (2022) by Istat shows that average gross wages plus social contributions are highest in industrial sectors (€38,760) and lowest in construction (€32,202). On average across the economy, employees in industry also tend to have higher average hourly earnings than those in sectors such as services, reflecting differences in work patterns and pay structures across sectors.

According to the Talent (2026), median salary across some of the main job sectors in Italy are:

Job sector	Average annual salary
Accounting and admin	€31,012
Banking and finance	€60,837
Childcare and education	€52,067
Construction	€25,674
Engineering	€42,692
Healthcare and social services	€46,449
Hospitality and travel	€32,350
IT	€34,014
Journalism and translation services	€51,284
Retail	€56,524
Manufacturing and transport	€29,200

Average salary by region in Italy

There have long been regional disparities in earnings in Italy, with those in the south of the country earning less.

According to 2022 Istat figures, the average net annual household income is:

• €39,240 in the Northwest
• €41,224 in the Northeast
• €37,259 in the center
• €29,451 in the South
• €28,511 on the islands

Istat suggests that Italy’s highest-paying jobs can be found in Bolzano (€45,931 annual net household income) and the lowest in Campania (€26,603).

Highest paying jobs in Italy

Unfortunately, there’s no real fast way to earn lots of money. Some of Italy’s most lucrative job opportunities require specialized qualifications, skills, and experience.

The highest-paying jobs in Italy include:

• Chief Executive Officer
• Investment Banker
• Medical Specialist (e.g., surgeon)
• Senior Notary
• Senior Engineer
• Data Scientist/AI Specialist
• Airline Captain

For those roles, you can expect to earn in excess of €70,000 per year.

Salary checker in Italy

There are many salary checker websites, for example, Glassdoor, where you can check what salary you are likely to earn and compare it to other wages.

The gender pay gap in Italy

Italy has one of the lowest gender pay gaps in the EU, measured at 2.2% in 2023 (compared to an EU average of 12%). Only Luxembourg and Belgium score better.

Meanwhile, when it comes to women’s rights and gender equality, the country ranks 87^th on the WEF 2025 Global Gender Gap Report. The survey finds that 29% of women do not participate in the workforce. Only 15% of companies have female top managers, and 39% of senior and managerial staff are women.

Problems include the persistence of gender stereotypes regarding financial provision, with many still seeing the woman’s role as a housewife and caregiver rather than an economic provider. These attitudes are more prevalent in the south of the country.

Fortunately, there is an indication of progress. Italy ranks 16^th on the 2025 Glass Ceiling Index, just above the OECD average. The government also introduced an equal pay law in 2022 aimed at fixing any unexplained discrepancies.

Salaries and wages for expats in Italy

Italy has around 2.5 million foreign workers, around 10.5% of the total workforce. The distribution of international workers is spread across sectors and job levels.

According to the Italian government’s latest annual report on foreigners in the labor market (2025), foreign workers are concentrated in blue-collar and medium-skill occupations, with relatively low representation in senior managerial and executive roles.

The employment rate of non-EU foreigners is 57.6%, lower than the rate for Italians (61.6%). The gender pay gap is also much larger among expat workers than Italian nationals.

Sectors with the highest percentages of expat workers are:

• Collective and personal services: 30.9%
• Agriculture: 20%
• Hotels and restaurants 18.5%
• Construction: 16.9%

However, not all is bad news. Roughly 33% of foreigners find employment within three months of moving to Italy. Just 22% take between three to six months to find work.

Managing your Italian salary as an expat

If you’re an international worker in Italy, managing your finances across borders can be challenging. Many expats need to send money back to their home country to support family, pay bills, or maintain financial obligations. Others want to save in their home currency or manage money in multiple currencies simultaneously.

When converting your EUR salary to another currency, it’s important to understand the costs involved. Banks in Italy often use their own exchange rate, which includes a markup on top of the mid-market exchange rate (the rate you see on Google). They may also charge transfer fees, which can significantly reduce the amount that reaches your destination account.

One alternative is to use a multi-currency account like Wise. Wise is a payment institution (not a bank) that allows you to hold, convert, and send money in over 40 currencies. When you convert money or send it abroad, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees shown upfront. Pricing varies by provider and route. Wise shows the mid‑market exchange rate and fees upfront—compare providers to find the best option for your transfer.

Key features for expats:

• Hold EUR alongside your home currency in one account
• Convert money at the mid-market exchange rate
• Send money internationally with transparent fees
• Spend with a Wise card in Italy and abroad with fees shown upfront.

Wise Europe is a payment institution licensed by the National Bank of Belgium. Your money is safeguarded according to European regulations, though it is not covered by deposit guarantee schemes like those provided by banks.

For more information about pricing for specific currency routes, visit the Wise pricing page.

What to do if your salary is too low?

Although most workers in Italy have their wages protected by collective agreements, this doesn’t always happen in practice. As such, an estimated 10% of workers in wage-protected sectors are paid around 20% less than the agreed minimums.

If your wage is below the agreed minimum wage for your sector, or you feel you are not sufficiently paid for your work, you should first speak to your employer. If you are still unhappy with the outcome, you should talk to a trade union (sindacato) representative or your local public labor office (centri per l’impiego).

The biggest labor unions in Italy are:

• Italian General Confederation of Labor (Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro – CGIL)
• The Italian Confederation of Trade Unions (Confederazione Italiana Sindacati Lavoratori – CISL)
• Italian Labor Union (Unione Italiana del Lavoro – UIL)

The next step is to take your employer to a labor court (tribunale del lavoro). These courts operate within Italy’s civil court (corte civile) structure, which you can access for various employment disputes. You may need to get legal help for this. If the judge rules in your favor, the employer must set your wage at an amount fixed by the judge. In addition, the employer may have to pay a fine, damages, and/or legal costs.

If the labor court rules against you, you can take the case to the Court of Appeal (Corte d’Appello) and, eventually, the Supreme Court (Corte Suprema di Cassazione). However, bear in mind that this can be an expensive process if you lose. Because of this, it’s advisable to seek sound legal advice from an employment law specialist in Italy.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Italy

Do I need an Italian bank account to receive my salary in Italy?

Most Italian employers require you to have an Italian bank account (IBAN) to receive your salary. This is standard practice, as Italian companies typically pay wages through direct bank transfer.

However, you’re not limited to using only Italian banks. You can also use other payment accounts that provide Italian IBANs. Additionally, some employers may accept international IBANs from banks or payment institutions licensed in the European Economic Area (EEA), though it’s best to check with your employer first.

For managing your money beyond receiving your salary, you have various options including multi-currency accounts that can help you hold and convert different currencies efficiently.

How can I send money from Italy to my home country without high fees?

When sending money internationally from Italy, costs can vary significantly depending on the method you use. Banks in Italy typically charge transfer fees and use exchange rates that include a markup above the mid-market rate, which can make transfers expensive.

To reduce costs, consider using a payment institution like Wise. Fees and exchange rates vary by provider and route. Wise uses the mid‑market exchange rate and shows fees upfront—compare providers to find the best option for your transfer.

Before sending money, always compare:

• The exchange rate being offered
• Any transfer fees
• How much will actually arrive in the destination account
• The transfer speed

Check Wise’s pricing page to see fees for specific currency routes.

What’s the most cost-effective way to convert my EUR salary to another currency?

The cost-effectiveness of currency conversion depends on several factors: the exchange rate used, conversion fees, and how frequently you need to convert money.

Key considerations:

• Exchange rate: Some providers add a markup to the mid‑market exchange rate. This hidden cost can significantly reduce the amount you receive.
• Fees: Some services charge flat fees, while others charge percentage-based fees. Small transfers may be better with percentage-based fees, while larger transfers might benefit from flat fees.
• Timing: Converting larger amounts less frequently can sometimes reduce overall costs compared to many small conversions.

Using a multi-currency account like Wise can be cost-effective because you can convert at the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees. You can also hold multiple currencies and convert only when rates are favorable or when you need to make a payment.

Wise Europe is a payment institution licensed by the National Bank of Belgium. Always compare different services and calculate the total cost before converting your money.

Useful resources

• Ministry of Labor and Social Policies (Ministero del lavoro e delle politiche sociali) – government ministry in charge of labor policy in Italy
• National Agency for Active Labor Policies (Agenzia Nazionale per le Politiche Attive del Lavoro – ANPAL) – government agency, part of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies