In 2025, more than 18,000 students failed to pass the baccalaureate exam even after the autumn session, according to the data of the Ministry of Education. Many of them are required to access the labor market quickly, where the baccalaureate diploma can make the difference.
12,000 munic places for people without baccalaureate photo archive
What trades can high school graduates have who have not passed the exam? An analysis performed by Adevărul, based on the data offered exclusively by Ana Călugăru, EJobs Romania communication coordinator, shows that the employment options exist, but they are narrower and harder to access.
Entry-level jobs and difference to unskilled workers
Statistical data show that, from the beginning of summer and so far, the total number of jobs, posted by employers on the eJobs platform, is about 60,000. Of these, a percentage of up to 70% is those jobs, intended for the “entry level” segment.
These positions include both young people who have not completed their studies and adults of 35–45 who are willing to accept basic stability jobs. Among the most sought after entry-level positions are:
Commercial worker, Call-Center operator, courier.
“It is important to note that if we refer only to those who do not even have the baccalaureate diploma, the circle is quite restricted, because even for many of these entry-level positions, the employers require this. Aslets, enter the area of unskilled workers. For these the demand is slightly lower,” says Ana Călugaru.
What jobs remain for those without bachelor
Of the 60,000 jobs posted on the platform, there are only 11-12,000 that directly concern the unskilled workers.
“An entry-level job can also be in IT, where the salary starts from 4,500 lei ”specified the specialist, to make the difference between entry-level jobs and those intended for people without a baccalaureate diploma.
For the last category, jobs can be found especially in areas such as:
- Retail and deposits – merchandise manipulating, shelf worker; Physical jobs, with exchanges.
- Cleanliness and maintenance – maintenance of commercial spaces, hotels, offices;
- Transport and logistics – Delivery drivers or freight handling (if they hold category B or C).
- Food industry and Horeca -chef help, waiter, fast food worker;
Baccalaureate exam, an essential difference in employers’ eyes
Specialists argue that the difference in lightness with which those who have a baccalaureate diploma can find themselves.
“Although higher studies are no longer a criterion so often requested, the BAC diploma remains required by the employer,” says the communication coordinator of EJobs Romania.
Even positions such as Call-Center operator or cashier, usually, with the requirement of baccalaureate diploma. It is all the better because of the CV there is no experience, an important factor that increases the chances of the candidates.
“We live in times when employers look at the experience element. Because they have many applications, they are somehow tempted to go to those candidates who have at least a year of experience.”, said Ana Călugăru, for the truth.
A more competitive market compared to previous years
Experts draw attention to a slight recoil at the level of the whole market, which is obviously reflected on the mentioned category. The chances of candidiants without BAC are slightly lower as the competition is high. The same is often the waiting time for an answer.
“Employers have multiple options available from which they can choose“says Ana Călugăru.
The decrease in the number of available jobs is correlated with the economic fluctuations of 2024–2025, including inflation and lack of predictability for employers. Under these conditions, young people without a BAC enter into a fierce competition even on poorly paid jobs, where people with studies have also applied.
Fulminant growth of applicants in segment 18-24 years, over the past 5 years
In the first place for job applications, people in segment 25–35 are ranked.
“They apply the most. Then they are the ones between 18-24 years. This is where those who barely finished high school enters and may have taken or not took the baccalaureate“Ana Călugăru told us.
The specialists have observed a significant change compared to previous years. The lower age category comes quickly from the back, second in the number of applicants.
In 2019, the 18-24-year-old segment had the fewest platform applications. Compared to the situation before the pandemic, more and more young people start work early, immediately after finishing high school.
“Starting with 2020, the number has begun to grow brightly, and today, the segment is almost equal to 25–35 years. Next, they apply the most, but from the back comes the category 18–24.points out the communication coordinator of EJobs Romania.
How much does the BAC -free in 2025 win
Experts say that between the employees with the baccalaureate diploma and those without, the wage difference is by no means a substantial one, up to 500 lei. Offers, in both cases, start from the minimum wage on the economy.
“For those who do not have the BAC, we speak on average, of amounts somewhere between 2,600-3,000 lei. Let us not forget that we are talking about areas that in their entirety do not pay very well. The food industry, Horeca are not fields with very high salary and then, for the entry level or those who work right at the organizational chart, the salaries are the minimum.
In Horeca and Tourism, the advantage is that income can be rounded due to tips:
“If they work in Horeca, tourism and so on, they can supplement these revenues with tips. But the net salary, basic, is between 2,600–3,000 lei per month.”concludes Ana Călugăru.
The possibility of employment in military and intervention structures
In addition to the jobs in retail, construction or horeca, young people without a baccalaureate diploma can also consider certain options in military or intervention structures. However, the conditions differ depending on the position concerned.
Army (MApN – soldiers and professional grades)
One of the most accessible variants is recruitment as
soldier or professional gradedwhere the baccalaureate diploma is not required.
According to the conditions available on the MAPN recruitment website, for this category it is sufficient for a candidate to have graduated at least 10 classes (compulsory education).
In contrast, for those who aspire to non -commissioned officer or officer functions, the baccalaureate becomes an essential condition, along with post -secondary or university post -secondary studies.
Firefighters (ISU)
Starting with 2024, the Inspectorates for Emergency Situations (ISU) in Romania have expanded the possibilities of recruitment for the position of professional soldier (fireman), accepting candidates who have completed the 12 classes, regardless of the baccalaureate diploma. The initial salary is 3,800 lei a month.
Security agent
In the case of private security companies, the requirements may vary. In general, to hold the position of security agent in the private sector, you need to meet the following conditions:
- To be at least 18 years old;
- To be medical and psychological apt;
- Not to have a criminal record;
- To follow and promote a professional qualification course for an security officer, organized by authorized suppliers;
- Get a professional certificate issued by the competent authorities.
Although there may be a preference for candidates with a baccalaureate diploma, it is not always a mandatory requirement. Some sources mention the graduation of 10 classes as necessary.
The number of students without a bachelor’s bachelor in 2025
According to the Ministry of Education, the final rate of promotability at the 2025 baccalaureate (after the autumn session) was 76.4%, with over 18,000 rejected students. Most come from rural areas and technological high schools, segments that constantly feed the labor market with persons without diploma.
However, the figures are decreasing, compared to previous years. In 2024, about 25,500 candidates did not promote, while in 2023 the number of rejected was up to over 30,000, and in 2022 almost 35,000 high school graduates were left without a baccalaureate diploma.
