The highest gross salary recorded this year in Montenegro amounts to 187,308.22 euros, with four additional employees earning over 100 thousand euros, according to data from the Tax Administration.

According to the data portal submitted to the tax administration by Bankar, the top earner this year was a Montenegrin national, whose taxable income was just under 140 thousand euros. This salary was registered under the sector code for “Non-specialized wholesale trade.” Due to tax confidentiality regulations, further information on this income is unavailable; however, given the uniqueness of this figure for the year, it likely includes a bonus.

The most recent data as of October indicates that the average salary was 944 euros, which implies that the highest earners this year received an amount equivalent to 148 average monthly salaries.

In order to obtain that level of income, an employee earning the average salary would have to work for over 12 years. Additionally, considering that many citizens of Montenegro earn a minimum of 600 euros, it would take them nearly 20 years to reach this amount, or half of their working life. Those earning just above the minimum, at 800 euros, would need approximately 15 years.

The minimum salaries of 600 or 800 euros were established following the European USA 2 program that became effective in November.

The report from Bankar reveals that the list of the top ten highest wages is comprised of four Montenegrin citizens and six foreigners.

In addition to the wholesale sector, the real estate industry shows significant pay, alongside banking and hospitality. A foreigner involved in renting either owned or leased properties reported a gross salary of about 176 thousand euros, with net income around 130 thousand euros.

Ranking third is a Montenegrin citizen occupied in monetary mediation with gross earnings of 152,456 euros, translating to a net figure of around 113 thousand euros. Closely behind is another foreigner in the hotel and accommodation sector, with a calculated salary of 147,749 euros, equating to approximately 110 thousand euros after taxes.

Additional high salaries in this field have also been recorded. Another foreigner achieved gross income of 126,474 euros, resulting in a net salary of about 94 thousand euros.

A Montenegrin citizen also made it to the top ten, earning around 90 thousand euros for their work. Additionally, another foreigner employed in the hotel and hospitality sector earned about 85 thousand euros, and another received approximately 81,000 euros from real estate leasing activities.

Moreover, those working in wholesale trade, particularly liquid and gas fuels, are also well-compensated. One foreigner reported earnings of 93,707 euros, netting around 70 thousand euros. The tenth spot is held by a Montenegrin in the retail sector, with gross earnings of 93,493 euros and a net amount slightly below 70 thousand euros.

For the top ten highest salaries in 2024, total calculated taxes reached approximately 200,000 euros.