Regional study by wherewework: Moldovan employees’ expectations vs. company offerings, 70% earn under €1,000, and nearly 29% haven’t received a salary increase in the past two years

Only 19% of companies in the Republic of Moldova are considering significant salary increases in the next 12 months.

- A better compensation package (salary and benefits) is the main reason for job change in all five countries included in the study: Republic of Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, and Hungary;

- Hungary has the highest percentage of employees dissatisfied with their salaries;

- 48% of employees in the region expect salaries to stagnate in the next two years;

- 8% of Moldovan employees have no benefits at all.

Nearly half of Moldovan employees (48%) say they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their current salary. For 70% of them, a better compensation package is the main reason they would change jobs. Although employers are aware of this reality, only 19% of companies are planning significant salary increases in the next 12 months, and another 17% are considering only punctual adjustments. These findings come from the study “Salaries and Benefits – Balancing Expectations and Offerings”, conducted by wherewework, one of the most prominent employment platforms in Central and Eastern Europe, also present in Republic of Moldova, where it was previously known as Undelucram.md.

The survey was conducted between April 15 and June 1, 2025, with responses from 8,898 employees aged 18–65 in Romania, the Republic of Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, and Hungary. In addition, 990 HR specialists from the same countries participated to provide deeper insights into the dynamics between employees and employers.

The full report, which includes comparative data, strategic insights, and relevant visual materials for all five countries, is available for download at this link.

“The study highlights the growing gap between employee expectations and company realities. In the Republic of Moldova, 91% of employees say a salary increase would convince them to stay long-term, while only 17% of employers plan to increase their benefits budgets. Open dialogue and alignment between the two parties are essential for building a sustainable work environment in the coming years,” said Costin Tudor, CEO of wherewework.

Salary package: a top priority in job selection

For 70% of Moldovan employees, the main criterion when choosing a new job is a more attractive compensation package (salary and benefits). Remote or flexible work options rank second (16%), followed by a more pleasant work environment (10%).

At the same time, 37% of respondents stated they are actively looking for a new job, and 42% would consider changing if a great opportunity arises.

This trend is mirrored across the region, where a better salary package is also the main factor when choosing a new job: 63% in Romania, 64% in Bulgaria, 65% in Greece, and 66% in Hungary.

The second most important factor in Romania, Republic of Moldova, and Bulgaria is remote or flexible work (16% in Romania and Republic of Moldova, 13% in Bulgaria), while in Greece (17%) and Hungary (15%), a more pleasant work environment carries more weight.

Current salaries don’t reflect employees’ perceived value of their work

70% of Moldovan employees earn under €1,000 per month, and 21% fall within the €1,000–1,500 range. However, 40% believe that a fair salary for their role and experience should be between €1,000–1,500, while 23% feel they should earn between €1,500–2,000.

Similar situations are observed in other countries in the region: 49% of employees in Bulgaria, 46% in Greece, and 35% in Hungary earn under €1,000. When it comes to perceived fair salaries, most employees in Romania (27%), Bulgaria (32%), and Hungary (36%) expect to earn between €1,500–2,000, while in Republic of Moldova, 40% believe €1,000–1,500 is appropriate.

Salary dissatisfaction remains high

48% of Moldovan employees are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their current pay, while only 15% say they are satisfied. Meanwhile, 29% have not received any salary increase in the last two years.

Regionally, salary dissatisfaction is even higher in Hungary (59%) and Bulgaria (56%). In Greece and Republic of Moldova, the dissatisfaction level is identical, at 48%. Greece stands out for having the highest percentage of employees (44%) who have not received a raise in the past two years.

Extra-salary benefits: limited and of low value

19% of Republic ofMoldovan employers offer no benefits at all, and 57% provide benefits valued at under €100 per month. The most common perks include performance bonuses (39%), extra vacation days (38%), flexible/remote work (37%), and meal vouchers (33%).

Only 17% of employers plan to increase the benefits budget in the next two years, while 60% do not foresee any change. Meanwhile, employees would like flexible benefit budgets (58%), holiday cards or cultural vouchers (53%), and more flexible work arrangements (46%).

Regionally, more employers in Bulgaria (24%) and Hungary (25%) offer no benefits, while in Greece the proportion is significantly lower (10%). Regarding future plans, most companies do not anticipate major changes: 62% in Greece, 54% in Bulgaria, and 65% in Hungary.

What would convince employees to stay?

91% of respondents from the Republic of Moldova say that a salary increase would convince them to stay long-term with their current employer. Additionally, 54% point to career advancement opportunities, and 46% wish for higher performance bonuses.

Around 21% of employees emphasized the importance of empathetic, professional leadership, free from micromanagement and based on open communication, as a key factor in their long-term stability within a company.

This trend is consistent across the region: 85% of employees in Romania, 87% in Bulgaria, 94% in Greece, and 88% in Hungary cite salary increases as the main reason to stay. Also, between 41% and 57% of employees believe career advancement can strengthen loyalty.

Study information:

The study “Salaries and Benefits – Balancing Expectations and Offerings” gathered responses from 8,898 employees aged 18–65 and 990 HR professionals from Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, and Hungary.

The survey was conducted between April 15 and June 1, 2025.

Participants represented various sectors, including IT&C, BPO & services, manufacturing, engineering, non-food retail, healthcare & pharma, banking, industrial production, consulting, food retail, telecommunications, hospitality, insurance & financial institutions.

In Moldova, 34% of employees are senior-level, 33% hold mid-level roles, 17% work in management, and 16% are entry-level. Regarding employment type, 86% have permanent contracts, 6% are on fixed-term contracts, 4% are freelancers, and 3% work on a project or partnership basis.

The complete report, including comparative data, strategic insights, and visuals for the five analyzed countries, can be downloaded via this link.

The study reflects a complex reality in which employees across the region, particularly in the Republic of Moldova, feel an increasingly pronounced gap between the effort they invest and the rewards they receive. While dissatisfaction and high expectations regarding salaries and benefits are evident, there is also a shared desire for balance and adaptability. In this context, building a work environment that is empathetic, flexible, and open to feedback becomes essential for long-term employee retention and motivation. The future belongs to those who understand that success is measured not only in numbers but also in an organization’s ability to align its policies with the real needs of its people.