Employers in Bulgaria are paying more for labor. In the second quarter of 2026, the cost per hour worked was 9.9 percent higher than in the same period of 2025. That's according to preliminary data from the National Statistical Institute. In industry, the cost per hour of labor jumped by 12.2 percent, while in services it rose by 11.5 percent.

The pace is slower than in the previous quarter. Labor costs per hour worked were also climbing at the start of 2026. In the first three months, they were 13.4 percent higher than a year earlier. In industry, the increase was 14.1 percent, while in services it stood at 12.5 percent.

Looking at the breakdown by sector, labor costs rose fastest in "Mining and quarrying," where expenses grew by 18.7 percent. Next came "Other activities" with 17.5 percent and "Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply" with 14.3 percent.

Wages per hour worked increased by 9.9 percent, while other costs not directly tied to pay grew slightly faster, at 10 percent. Across sectors, the differences in wage growth were significant: from 21.5 percent in "Mining and quarrying" to just 0.3 percent in "Public administration."