According to the latest data published by the Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia, the average net salary in Serbia for May 2026 amounted to RSD 118,398, while the average gross salary reached RSD 163,470. At the same time, the median net salary, which provides a more accurate picture of the earnings of the majority of employees, stood at RSD 93,277.
Key trends for the January – May 2026 period:
Average net salaries increased by 11.3% in nominal terms and 8.2% in real terms compared to the same period in 2025;
Compared to May 2025, net salaries rose by 9.9% nominally and 6.2% in real terms, while gross salaries increased by 9.8% nominally and 6.1% in real terms.
Broader Economic Context:
Wage growth continued to outpace inflation, resulting in a stronger increase in employees’ real purchasing power compared to the previous year. The gap between the average net salary (RSD 118,398) and the median net salary (RSD 93,277) confirms that a significant share of employees still earn below the national average, making the median a more representative indicator of the earnings of the “typical” employee.
The continued increase in wages reflects stable labour market conditions, while also highlighting the ongoing pressure on employers to adjust compensation policies in response to rising labour costs and the need to retain skilled employees;
For employers, these figures provide an important benchmark for salary planning, budgeting, compensation strategies and maintaining competitiveness in the labour market;
For employees, although real wage growth is a positive development, the persistent gap between average and median earnings suggests that income distribution remains uneven and should be assessed using multiple statistical indicators.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.