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Salaries in Malta 2026: average pay, tax and take-home salary

Last updated 26 June 2026 · 9 min read

The national average is a useful starting point, but it cannot tell you whether a particular offer is competitive. Salaries vary significantly with your occupation, industry, experience, qualifications and level of responsibility.

What is the average salary in Malta in 2026?

According to the NSO Labour Force Survey for Q1 2026, the average monthly basic salary across all employees was €2,270.

Basic salary is the regular pay an employee receives before tax and social security deductions. The NSO figure excludes overtime, bonuses and allowances.

Average salaries in Malta by occupation

Managers and professionals earn considerably more than the national average, while service, sales and elementary occupations sit at the lower end of the salary range.

Source: National Statistics Office, Labour Force Survey: Q1 2026, Table 11

These are broad job groups. For instance, accountants, lawyers, software developers and engineers are all professionals, yet they have very different salary levels.

Average salaries in Malta by industry

Where you work affects how much you earn. Financial and insurance activities had the highest average basic salary, according to the latest NSO industry classification.

Source: National Statistics Office, Labour Force Survey: Q1 2026, Table 9b

These figures are broad sector averages, not salary ranges for specific roles. The wholesale, retail, transport, accommodation and food services category, for instance, includes many different jobs and seniority levels, so salaries can vary widely.

Salary examples by profession and industry

The following examples are based on selected Konnekt vacancies advertised in June 2026. They provide an indication of current offers rather than definitive market averages.

iGaming and casinos

Malta has a large regulated iGaming industry, with opportunities in customer service, compliance, finance, payments, operations and technology. At the time of writing, current vacancies included:

• German-speaking customer care positions at approximately €24,000–€26,500
• Accounts executive positions at approximately €30,000–€35,000
• Senior MLRO and AML management positions at approximately €60,000–€90,000

Salary levels depend on the function, seniority, regulatory responsibility, language skills and previous gaming experience.

IT and software development

Technology salaries vary significantly by specialisation and experience. Support and junior development roles generally sit at the lower end, while experienced software, cloud, infrastructure, security and leadership positions pay more. Current advertised examples included:

• IT support roles at approximately €18,000–€30,000
• Junior software development roles at approximately €25,000–€30,000
• Mid-level software development roles at approximately €25,000–€50,000
• Senior developer and technical lead roles at approximately €45,000–€55,000

Skills in .NET, Go, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, automation and DevOps can improve earning potential.

Accounting and finance

Accounting and finance professionals are employed across almost every industry in Malta, including retail, manufacturing, technology, hospitality, corporate services and iGaming. Current advertised vacancies indicate that:

• Entry-level finance and accounts roles often pay around €18,000–€30,000
• Experienced accountants may earn approximately €35,000–€55,000
• Finance managers and financial controllers may earn around €45,000–€65,000
• Head of finance positions may reach €65,000–€80,000 or more

Qualifications such as ACCA, management experience and expertise in tax, audit, treasury and financial planning can increase earning potential.

Basic salary, gross salary and net salary

When looking at a job offer, it’s key to know which salary figure is quoted.

• Basic salary is the agreed fixed amount in your contract, before bonuses, overtime and allowances.
• Gross salary is your total taxable pay before any deductions. It may include bonuses, allowances, commissions and other taxable benefits, depending on your package.
• Net salary, or take-home pay, is what you receive after income tax, Social Security Contributions and other payroll deductions.

Before accepting an offer, check if the advertised amount refers to basic salary or total gross pay; includes statutory bonuses and allowances; includes commission or performance-related bonuses; includes taxable benefits; and contains guaranteed or variable components.

From gross salary to take-home pay

The two main deductions from an employee’s salary in Malta are income tax and Social Security Contributions (SSC). These are calculated separately — SSC is not deducted from your salary before the income tax bands are applied. The table below uses the 2026 single income tax rates and the standard 2026 employee SSC rates for a person born on or after 1 January 1962.

These figures are estimates. Your actual take-home pay may differ depending on age, tax status, bonuses, allowances, fringe benefits, other income and additional payroll deductions.

Malta income tax rates for 2026

Malta uses a progressive income tax system, so different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. The standard 2026 single tax rates published by the Malta Tax and Customs Administration are:

You do not pay the highest applicable rate on your entire salary. For example, someone with €30,000 in chargeable income would pay 0% on the first €12,000 (€0), 15% on the next €4,000 (€600) and 25% on the remaining €14,000 (€3,500) — a total of €4,100. Different tax bands apply to people who qualify for married or parent rates.

Social Security Contributions in Malta

Most employees pay Social Security Contributions of 10% of their basic weekly wage, with a maximum limit. Under the official 2026 Class 1 Social Security Contribution rates, employees born on or after 1 January 1962 pay a maximum of €55.93 per week once their basic weekly wage reaches €559.31 — a maximum annual contribution of about €2,908.36.

Employees born before 1 January 1962 have a different contribution cap, and different rules apply to some students and lower-paid workers. Your employer contributes extra, and this amount does not reduce your take-home pay.

Statutory bonuses and COLA

Employees in Malta are entitled to statutory bonuses and weekly allowances. A full-time employee receives up to €512.52 over a complete year, paid in four instalments. Employees who begin work part-way through the year remain eligible, with the amount calculated proportionately; part-time employees receive pro-rata payments.

For 2026, the Cost of Living Adjustment is €4.66 per week. COLA is added to existing basic wages, while part-time employees receive a proportionate adjustment. New employees should confirm whether their agreed salary already reflects the 2026 wage level. Read the official guidance on the 2026 minimum wage and COLA.

How to compare salary offers in Malta

Don’t just compare offers by the annual salary. Look at the full employment package, which includes:

• Fixed basic salary
• Statutory bonuses and allowances
• Performance-related bonuses and commission
• Health or life insurance and pension contributions
• Hybrid or remote working and flexible hours
• Additional annual leave
• Professional training and qualifications
• Transport, phone or internet allowances
• Relocation assistance

Also ask when your salary will be reviewed and what criteria the employer uses for increases or promotions. A slightly lower salary might offer better overall value if it comes with strong benefits, flexibility, career growth and a clear path for progression.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Malta

The national average provides a useful starting point, but it cannot tell you what your skills and experience are worth. The best comparison is between roles requiring similar expertise, responsibility and experience — check what is included in the package, calculate what you will receive after tax and SSC, and compare the offer with current opportunities in your field.