Average salary in Cyprus exceeds €2,600. But almost one in three earns less than €1,500

Behind the record figures lies a very different picture: most workers earn significantly less than the average salary.

The average gross salary in Cyprus reached €2,601 per month in the first quarter of 2026 before taxes and contributions — 3.7% more than a year earlier. However, this impressive figure does not reflect the real situation: almost one in three workers earns less than €1,500.

Preliminary data were published by the Statistical Service of Cyprus and analysed by Cyprus Mail.

Why the average salary is misleading

A year earlier, the average salary was €2,508. After seasonal adjustment, the figure rose to €2,652 — 0.8% more than in the previous quarter. Without this adjustment, the figure is lower because thirteenth-month salaries and bonuses are traditionally paid at the end of the year.

The average earnings of men amounted to €2,776, while women earned €2,378. At the same time, women’s salaries grew slightly faster over the year — by 4.2% compared with 3.3% for men.

But the main problem with the average salary is that it is significantly boosted by the incomes of a small group of highly paid specialists.

One in three earns less than €1,500

The income distribution looks much more modest:

• 33.9% of workers earn less than €1,500;
• 40.9% earn between €1,500 and €2,999;
• 13.1% earn between €3,000 and €4,499;
• 6.4% earn between €4,500 and €5,999;
• only 5.7% earn €6,000 or more.

The median salary provides a more objective picture. According to the latest annual data for 2023, it was €1,792, compared with an average of €2,363 — a difference of almost €570.

For comparison, as of 1 January 2026, the minimum wage in Cyprus is €979 during the first six months of employment and €1,088 thereafter.

Foreigners are more likely to be at both ends of the scale

Among Cypriot citizens, 27.4% of workers earn less than €1,500, compared with 46.7% of foreigners.

At the same time, foreigners are also more strongly represented among the highest-paid employees: 8.5% of foreigners earn more than €6,000, compared with 4.3% of Cypriots.

Foreign women remain the most vulnerable group: half of them (50.3%) earn less than €1,500. Among foreign men, the figure is 44.5%.

The situation is gradually improving

Compared with the third quarter of 2025, the share of workers earning less than €1,500 fell from 36.5% to 33.9%. Among foreigners, the figure decreased from 49.1% to 46.7%, while among Cypriot citizens it fell from 30.2% to 27.4%.

At the same time, the share of foreigners earning more than €6,000 increased from 7.6% to 8.5%.

The published data are preliminary and reflect gross salaries before taxes and social insurance contributions. The Statistical Service will later revise them based on final data from the Social Insurance Services.