According to the latest data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics, the average paid net salary of employees in legal entities of the Republic of Croatia for May this year amounted to 1,451 euros.

Compared to the previous month, April 2025, this represents a slight increase of 0.8 percent nominally, or 0.5 percent in real terms. Although the pace of growth is not dramatic, the trend is positive, wages in Croatia have been rising for months, not only nominally, but also in real terms after removing the effects of inflation.

A similar situation is recorded with gross salaries, which in May averaged 2,019 euros. Compared to April, an increase of 1.1 percent nominally, or 0.8 percent in real terms, was recorded. Annual growth rates are even more pronounced. Compared to May 2024, the average net salary is higher by 9.6 percent nominally, while real growth amounted to 5.9 percent. Gross salary grew even more, by 10.2 percent nominally and 6.5 percent in real terms.

Huge differences between sectors

As in previous months, the highest salaries in Croatia continue to be paid in the air transport sector. The average gross salary in this activity for May amounted to an impressive 3,314 euros, while the average net salary reached 2,280 euros.

At the other end of the spectrum is the clothing manufacturing activity, where average net salaries in May were only 921 euros, and gross salaries 1,205 euros. These figures clearly illustrate how significant the differences in earnings are among different activities of the Croatian economy.

The median better shows the real picture

In addition to averages, the bureau also published data on median salaries, which often more realistically show how most citizens live. Thus, the median net salary in Croatia for May amounted to 1,236 euros, which means that half of workers earn less than that amount, and half earn more. The median gross salary was 1,686 euros. Both figures are showing year-on-year growth, the median net salary is higher by 10.2 percent, and the gross by 10.9 percent compared to May 2024.

Hourly data: Salaries are growing more strongly when viewed at the hourly level

The average net hourly salary in May amounted to 8.11 euros, while the gross hourly salary was 11.28 euros. This represents annual growth of a high 13.9 and 14.5 percent, respectively, nominally. This is an indicator that is particularly pronounced for part-time workers or seasonal jobs.

On average, each worker had 174 paid hours for May, which is the same value as in the previous month. The highest number was recorded in the water transport sector, 184, while social care activities without accommodation had the fewest, averaging 162 paid hours.

Tax-free receipts and supplements vary among sectors

Also interesting is the list of tax-free receipts that employers pay to workers in addition to regular salaries. In May, workers in Croatia received an average of 177 euros in tax-free receipts, while the average per employees who received both these and a salary was somewhat lower, 111 euros. The most generous were sectors such as transport and communications, where these additional compensations exceeded the average and amounted to over 200 euros. In contrast, employees in education and public administration received far less, only 29 and 31 euros respectively.

Quartile and decile distribution confirm inequality

The statistics also reveal the distribution of salaries among employees. The first quartile, below which one quarter of workers fall, for net salary amounts to 945 euros, while as many as one quarter of employees receive more than 1,680 euros net. At the same time, 10 percent of workers earn less than 816 euros, while the top 10 percent, the so-called tenth decile, receive more than 2,220 euros. The distribution clearly indicates pronounced differences in salaries, but also the fact that alongside average growth, a significant number of Croatian citizens receive earnings below the mentioned median and average values.

Growth exists, but it is not even

Although the growth of average and median salaries in Croatia continued during May 2025, the data indicate that the benefits of this growth are not shared evenly. Sectoral dispersion and differences in earnings between different parts of the economy remain pronounced.

Despite this, the fact that real, and not only nominal, salaries are increasing brings a certain stability for most workers, especially in light of inflationary pressures and rising living costs.