The average monthly salary in Bulgaria grew with 2.7% during the first quarter of 2009, compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. The salary is now 563 leva.

The economic activities with the biggest registered increase of the average monthly salary are: “Sale and repairs of vehicles and motorcycles” – 14.5%; “Construction” – 10.1%; “Hotel and restaurant management” – 10.1% and “Estate business” – 9.1%.

The salaries in the following fields have been lowered for the first quarter of 2009: “National administration” – 10.9%; “Education” – 6.5%.

For the first quarter of 2009. the average monthly salary grew with 16.3% compared to the same period of the last year.