Understanding Salaries in Italy: A Guide for Expats and Newcomers
by Adriana ruiz
If you’re an expat living in Italy or someone considering relocating, understanding the salary landscape is key to planning your life in the country. This article provides an overview of average salaries in Italy in 2024, how they vary by profession, age, gender, education, and region, as well as how they compare to other European nations.
Average Salary in Italy
The average gross annual salary (RAL) in Italy for private sector employees is around €30,284, according to data from the JobPricing Observatory. Salaries can differ greatly depending on your role:
- Executives: €103,418
- Managers: €55,632
- Office Employees: €32,174
- Manual Workers: €25,522
Net salaries (after taxes and deductions) vary depending on the number of monthly payments (13 or 14) in a year. For example, a manager may take home €2,668 on a 13-month payment plan, while an executive earns €4,473. Office employees and manual workers typically earn around €1,818 and €1,524 net respectively.
Public vs. Private Sector Pay
Public sector workers in Italy earn slightly more than their private sector counterparts, with an average gross annual salary of €37,073.
Top-Paying Professions and Industries
Highly skilled sectors lead the way in terms of salary:
- Banking and Financial Services: Average salary €46,354
- Engineering: Average salary €40,372
- Pharmaceuticals and Biotech: Average salary €39,209
On the other end, lower-paying sectors include personal services, hotels, and restaurants, where specialized skills are less in demand.
Salary by Age
Salaries in Italy increase with age, though the rate of growth slows over time. Here’s a breakdown by age group:
- 15-24 years: €24,588
- 25-34 years: €27,028
- 35-44 years: €29,831
- 45-54 years: €31,926
- 55-64 years: €34,057
Regional Salary Differences
There’s a notable 14% gap between salaries in Northern and Southern Italy. The highest salaries are found in Lombardy (€33,452), Lazio (€32,360), and Liguria (€32,156). Meanwhile, regions like Basilicata, Calabria, and Puglia offer the lowest average salaries, ranging from €26,055 to €27,261 annually.
At the provincial level, Milan, Trieste, Rome, and Bologna top the list for the highest salaries, while Matera, Crotone, and Ragusa are at the bottom.
Comparing Italy with Europe
In comparison to other EU countries, Italy’s average salary is slightly below the European average. The average gross annual salary in Italy is around €34,736, while the OECD average stands at €45,217. In comparison to neighboring European countries, Italy falls behind nations like Luxembourg, Denmark, and Ireland, where salaries exceed €50,000 per year.
Salary Growth and Real Wages
While nominal wages have seen slight increases over recent years, real wages (adjusted for inflation) are expected to start recovering only from 2024, with a projected growth of 1.3%.
Education and Salary
The more educated you are, the higher your potential salary in Italy. A degree, particularly in fields like Economics, Engineering, Medicine, and Pharmacy, significantly increases earning potential. On average, university graduates earn around 2.5 times more than those with only a middle school education.
Gender Pay Gap
Italy still faces challenges with the gender pay gap, especially in the private sector where the gap stands at 16.5%. In the public sector, however, the gap is one of the lowest in Europe at 4.1%. Men earn an average of €31,286 annually, compared to €28,565 for women.
Factors Influencing Salaries
Several factors influence salary levels in Italy:
- Location: Northern cities like Milan and Rome offer higher wages.
- Industry: Highly specialized industries such as finance and pharmaceuticals pay the most.
- Education: Higher education translates to higher earnings.
- Experience: Salaries grow steadily with years of experience.
Hourly Wages and Cost of Living
The average hourly wage in Italy is €11.69. However, the cost of living, especially in cities like Milan and Rome, can be steep. In contrast, smaller southern towns offer lower living expenses but also lower wages.
In Summary
Salaries in Italy vary significantly depending on multiple factors such as location, profession, and experience. If you’re planning to relocate to Italy, it’s important to research the local salary ranges, the cost of living, and the industries with the best prospects to make an informed decision about your financial future.
Source: Forbes
Subscribe to our newsletter to access content and updates to help navigate life as an expat in Italy. If you need help with your citizenship process, language courses, or general expat life in Italy, email us at info@expatslivinginrome.com.
Bringing Your Family to Italy: A Guide for Non-EU Citizens
For non-EU citizens residing in Italy, having your family with you is a tangible goal. Italian law provides a framework for family reunification, allowing you to bring close relatives to live with you under specific conditions. This guide outlines the key requirements, procedures, and rights to help you navigate the process. Who Can Apply for […]
How to Become a Self-Employed Worker in Italy
Are you a non-EU citizen wishing to work as a self-employed worker in Italy? This guide explains the conditions you must meet, the procedures to follow, and the rights you can enjoy during your stay. Conditions for Self-Employment To legally engage in independent work in Italy, non-EU citizens must satisfy several conditions and obtain the […]
Transport strikes scheduled across Italy in September 2025
September is shaping up to be a turbulent month for travelers in Italy, with more than 14 national strikes scheduled. Widespread protests are expected to cause significant disruption across trains, flights, and local public transport networks. Rail and Air Travel Disruption Commuters and long-distance travelers on trains should be aware of a major nationwide strike […]
Buying Property in Italy: Understanding Judicial Real Estate Auctions or Aste Immobiliari
As a resident in Italy, you may already be familiar with the dynamics of the local housing market and perhaps have contemplated purchasing property. However, there exists a lesser-known yet potentially advantageous avenue worth exploring: Aste Immobiliari, or judicial property auctions. What Are Judicial Auctions? Judicial auctions in Italy are public sales of assets, including […]
Important Update: Changes to Shipping from Italy to the U.S.
If you live in Italy and need to send packages to the United States, there are new rules you should know about. Starting August 29, 2025, all goods shipped from Italy to the U.S. will be subject to customs duties before arriving. Until now, parcels valued under $800 could be sent duty-free, but this exemption […]
Italy’s Passport Ranks Among the World’s Most Powerful in 2025 rankings
The Italian passport remains one of the most powerful in the world, ranking third in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. This prestigious position is shared with passports from Germany, France, Spain, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark, allowing holders to travel to 189 out of 227 destinations without a pre-approved visa. The index, widely regarded as a […]
Rome Takes a Historic Step Toward Autonomy
Rome is undergoing a significant transformation with the recent approval of a constitutional bill aimed at elevating its status and granting it greater autonomy. This historic reform, championed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, seeks to address the unique challenges of governing Italy’s capital. The proposed changes are designed to improve Rome’s ability to manage its own […]
Constitutional Court Rejects Limits on Italian Citizenship by Bloodline
Rome, July 31, 2025 – Italy’s Constitutional Court has confirmed that the current rules for obtaining Italian citizenship by descent (iure sanguinis) remain valid, rejecting attempts to limit automatic citizenship for descendants of Italians born abroad. Under the existing law (Law 91/1992), anyone with an Italian mother or father is automatically an Italian citizen at […]
