Italy’s pay system differs from that of many other European countries. There is no single legal minimum wage, while many employees receive their salary in 13 instalments rather than 12.
The latest available data show a stronger labour market and improving household incomes, although pay and living standards still vary widely by area and household type.
What is the average salary in Italy in 2026?
According to EP-Advisory, the average gross annual salary in Italy is €33,148. This equates to around €2,762 a month when divided into 12 payments.
However, many private-sector workers receive a 13th-month payment, known as the tredicesima. On this basis, the standard gross monthly payment is closer to €2,550.
EP-Advisory estimates average take-home pay at roughly €1,900 to €2,100 per month. The exact amount depends on income tax, employee social-security contributions, regional and municipal tax surcharges, and personal circumstances.
Employment and wage context in Italy in 2026
Italy had 24.363 million people in employment in the second quarter of 2026, according to ISTAT. The seasonally adjusted figure was up 1.0% from the same period in 2025.
The employment rate was 63.4%, while the unemployment rate stood at 5.9%. Total jobs increased by 1.3% year on year, with permanent employment rising by 1.0%.
Is there a minimum wage in Italy in 2026?
Italy does not have a statutory nationwide minimum wage set by law. Eurofound states that minimum wages in Italy are set by collective agreements and that most employees are covered by an agreement that sets wage levels.
Known as CCNLs (Contratti Collettivi Nazionali di Lavoro), these agreements are negotiated by trade unions and employer associations. They set a minimum contractual wage for different job grades in the sectors they cover.
Average household income in Italy
Household income is not the same as an individual employee’s salary, but it provides a useful indicator of overall living standards.
ISTAT estimated average net annual household income at €39,501 in 2024, equivalent to around €3,290 per month. It increased by 5.3% in nominal terms and 4.1% in real terms compared with 2023.
The median household income was €31,704 a year, or approximately €2,642 per month, meaning half of resident households were below that level. Despite the latest improvement, average household income in real terms remained 4.9% below its 2007 level.
Average income in Italy by area
The North-East had Italy’s highest median household income in 2024, at €37,086 a year, according to ISTAT.
Median income was:
- around 6% lower in the North-West
- 11% lower in central Italy
- 29% lower in the South and Islands
Real household income rose most in the North-East, increasing by 5.2%. It grew by 4.5% in the Centre and South, and by 2.7% in the North-West.
What is a good salary in Italy in 2026?
A good income depends mainly on where someone lives, housing costs and household circumstances. The same net salary can have a very different effect on living standards in a high-cost city and in a lower-cost area.
ISTAT’s data show the role household composition can play.
- Couples with children had a median household income of €49,894 a year, or around €4,160 a month.
- For people aged 65 and over who lived alone, half had a household income of no more than €18,614 annually, or about €1,550 per month.
These are household-level figures rather than individual salary thresholds, but they underline why no single amount can define a good salary throughout Italy.
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