According to Demostat, educators in Croatia, Hungary and Romania enjoy the highest salaries in Eastern Europe, while those in North Macedonia and Serbia rank at the bottom.
In Serbia, despite ongoing strikes and protests, teachers have yet to secure salaries that meet the national average. Even with a proposed raise of 12% for teaching staff and 8% for extracurricular personnel, effective January 1 next year, their salaries will remain below the average. As of July, the national average salary in Serbia was 836 euros, while the starting salary for teachers is just 739 euros—almost 100 euros lower.
North Macedonia has similar challenges, with an average salary of around 666 euros for teachers. In primary education, they earn approximately 545 euros, and in secondary education, about 563 euros, excluding an additional 150 euros received during the summer months.
In comparison, teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina earn 650 euros in primary education and 730 euros in secondary education, contributing to an average salary of around 690 euros. In Republika Srpska, the average salary is slightly higher at approximately 730 euros.
In Albania, the average salary is 763 euros, with primary education teachers earning 736 euros, which is nearly on par with Serbia. However, secondary school teachers in Albania earn above average, at 811 euros.
Bulgaria has also seen an increase in education funding, with teachers’ basic salaries around 920 euros, as the average salary has risen to approximately 1,000 euros. Discussions are underway for a further 15% increase starting next January.
Montenegro’s teachers recently received a salary increase to 862 euros, surpassing the national average. In Romania, educators have starting salaries of 1,295 euros, significantly higher than the overall average of 1,024 euros reported in May.
In Hungary, the average salary for all employees is about 1,100 euros, but teachers earn between 1,383 and 2,828 euros, depending on their qualifications.
In Croatia, the average salary in August was 1,349 euros, with starting teachers in primary education earning 1,542 euros and those in secondary education making 1,559 euros.
Overall, while some countries are making strides in supporting their educators, teachers in Serbia and North Macedonia continue to face significant challenges in achieving competitive salaries.
