Wages in Cyprus increased by 3% in the second quarter of 2026, reaching an average gross monthly salary of €2,548, but the figures mask significant differences in earnings across the workforce.
Data from the Statistical Service show that around one in three employees still earns less than €1,500 gross per month. Meanwhile, 75% of workers earn below €3,000, while just 5.6% receive €6,000 or more.
The figures highlight the uneven distribution of salaries in Cyprus, despite the overall increase in average earnings.
Foreign workers more likely to earn below €1,500
The data reveal considerable differences between Cypriot and foreign employees.
Almost half of foreign workers, or 46.3%, earn less than €1,500 gross per month, compared with 27% of Cypriot workers.
At the other end of the scale, 8.1% of foreign employees earn €6,000 or more, compared with 4.3% of Cypriots. The figures point to a concentration of foreign workers at both ends of the salary distribution.
Gender pay gap remains at €363 per month
The gap between male and female earnings also persists, although women’s salaries rose at a faster rate during the period.
Men earned an average of €2,708 per month, compared with €2,345 for women, leaving a monthly difference of €363.
Women’s average earnings increased by 4.1% year-on-year, while men’s rose by 2.1%, narrowing the gap.
Wage growth slows compared with 2025
The pace of wage growth has also eased. Annual growth in average gross monthly earnings stood at 3% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 4.2% during the same period in 2025.
Whether higher salaries translate into greater purchasing power remains uncertain. The impact of inflation must also be taken into account to determine whether workers can afford more with their earnings.
Also read: Cyprus average salary masks €4,082 sector pay gap
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