Where in Montenegro Are the Highest Salaries: An Analysis by Region and Industry
Montenegro continues to demonstrate steady growth in salary levels, as confirmed by the latest data from the MONSTAT Statistical Office. In December 2024, the average salary in the country amounted to 1,012 euros (excluding taxes and contributions), which is 1,...
Montenegro continues to show steady wage growth, as confirmed by the latest data from the Statistical OfficeMONSTAT. In December 2024, the average salary in the country amounted to 1,012 euros (excluding taxes and contributions), which is 1.9% higher than in November and 24.3% higher than in December of the previous year. However, income levels are not the same across all regions and industries. Let’s take a look at where you can earn the most today.
Cities leading in salary levels
Among Montenegro’s 25 municipalities, only four have an average salary above 1,000 euros:
In other cities, average income remains below the national figure. For example, in popular regions such asKotor (982 euros), Bar (936 euros), and Herceg Novi (963 euros), salaries remain below the 1,000-euro mark.
The lowest incomes were recorded in the following municipalities:
The distribution of salaries across economic sectors shows that the highest incomes are earned by specialists in the following fields:
Financial activities and insurance– 1,685 euros (despite a decline compared with November, when the average income was 1,906 euros).
Real estate– 1,436 euros.
Information technology and communications– 1,401 euros.
Energy (electricity, gas, steam)– 1,389 euros.
Mining– 1,155 euros.
Public administration and defense– 1,053 euros.
Healthcare and social protection– 1,002 euros.
Scientific and technical activities– 1,007 euros.
Industries with the lowest salaries:
Agriculture, forestry and fishing– 858 euros.
Manufacturing– 846 euros.
Trade and vehicle repair– 919 euros.
Administrative and support services– 891 euros.
Salary growth: statistics and outlook
Experts note that in 2024 real wages grew by 7.1%, despite inflation of 3.3%. This points to positive trends in the labor market and rising purchasing power among the population.
Particularly notable income growth was recorded in the following sectors:
Administrative and support services– up 10.4%.
Real estate– +9.3%.
Public administration and defense– +4.5%.
Agriculture– +3.5%.
At the same time, salary declines were seen in the following areas:
Financial activities and insurance– down 11.6%.
Construction– down 2.9%.
Healthcare and social protection– down 1.1%.
Where is it more profitable to work in Montenegro?
If we talk about which cities and industries offer the highest income, the picture becomes clear. People working in
the financial sector, IT, and real estate
have the highest salaries, especially in major cities –
Tivat, Podgorica, Budva, and Zeta
.
At the same time, in
tourist areas
such as Bar and Herceg Novi, incomes remain below the national average despite the active development of the service sector.
Thus, if your goal is a high salary and stable growth prospects, it is worth considering work in finance, IT, or real estate, as well as focusing on the central regions of the country, where the average income exceeds 1,000 euros. Montenegro’s labor market continues to evolve, and specialists with in-demand skills have good prospects for career growth and a higher standard of living.
Prospects for further salary growth
According to experts’ forecasts, salaries in Montenegro will continue to rise in 2025, although the pace may slow. The main factors affecting income levels will be:
Economic stability and investment inflows– the more foreign companies come to Montenegro, the greater the demand for qualified specialists.
Rising cost of living– higher prices for housing and basic goods will require employers to raise wages.
Technological progress– the development of the IT sector and digital services will contribute to salary growth in these areas.
Thus, if your goal is a high salary and stable growth prospects, it is worth considering work in finance, IT, or real estate, as well as focusing on the central regions of the country, where the average income exceeds 1,000 euros. Montenegro’s labor market continues to evolve, and specialists with in-demand skills have good prospects for career growth and a higher standard of living.
Where in Montenegro Are the Highest Salaries: An Analysis...
