In Romania in 2026, a university degree no longer automatically guarantees an attractive salary. Official data and labor market analyzes show that certain majors continue to bring modest incomes even five years after graduation, while technical and IT fields offer much better prospects, they note Click.ro.
According to studies based on the national register of graduates and university monitoring, the average salary of a graduate after approximately five years of professional experience is around 5,000-6,000 lei. However, there are specializations where incomes remain well below this level, even after several years of activity.
Low-paying fields: from sports and the arts to theology and the environment
Among the lowest paid specializations are sports and physical education programs, where graduates often become teachers or coaches, and salaries start at approximately 3,700 lei per month.
The situation is similar in the field of ecology and environmental protection, where specialized jobs are few and the average income in the first year after graduation is approximately 3,150 lei.
In the artistic area, graduates of arts, acting or cultural specializations encounter difficulties in finding a stable job. Many work on temporary projects or in related fields, and average earnings remain between 4,000 and 5,000 lei even after several years of experience. Theology faces a similar situation, with graduates having to look for alternatives in administration, sales or other sectors.
Humanities and Communication: Big Challenges, Low Pay
Specializations in letters and philology remain among the most modestly paid, with the majority of graduates becoming teachers with incomes below 4,500 lei in the first years. Sociology, social work, political science or international relations offer moderate salaries and income increases are slow, especially in the public sector and NGOs.
Journalism and communication sciences attract hundreds of students every year, but the field remains demanding and poorly paid at the beginning of a career. Starting salaries in newsrooms start from 3,500–4,000 lei, and many young people combine journalistic activity with PR or marketing to supplement their income. Economics and management can bring decent salaries in big companies, but in the first years the initial income is around 4,000–4,200 lei.
Lack of direction in high school: Bad decisions and unrealistic expectations
Another factor contributing to this situation is the lack of career counseling in high schools. Many students choose colleges just to “go to university”without knowing what real perspectives the chosen field offers. This lack of professional orientation leads to overcrowding in certain specializations and to the disappointment of young people when real wages do not meet expectations. Experts recommend the introduction of effective counseling programs in high schools to guide students in choosing a college and reduce the wide income gap between graduates.
Actual versus Expected Revenues
Even after five years of experience, a salary between 2,300 and 5,000 lei can no longer be considered attractive, especially in big cities, where the cost of living is high. The difference to the technical and IT fields is increasingly evident, and for young graduates the choice of faculty becomes a strategic decision, not just one based on passion or interest. The standard of living and financial stability in the first years of a career largely depend on the chosen specialization.
