The average gross monthly salary in the Azores rose to €1,862 in December 2025, an increase of €118 compared with the same month in 2024, according to new data released by the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA).

The figure represents a 6.8% year-over-year increase, up from €1,744 in December 2024. The data point to steady wage growth across the archipelago, with gains reflected in total, regular, and base pay.

Average gross regular monthly pay — which excludes seasonal components such as holiday and Christmas bonuses and therefore provides a clearer picture of underlying wage trends — rose 7.0%, from €1,247 to €1,335. Base monthly pay, which reflects salary before additional supplements, also increased 7.0%, climbing from €1,165 to €1,247.

After adjusting for inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), real wages also posted solid gains. In December 2025, real year-over-year growth reached 4.4% for total pay and 4.7% for both regular and base salary components.

Wages varied significantly by sector. Average gross total pay ranged from €1,163 in agriculture, animal production, forestry, hunting, and fishing to €3,482 in electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply. Year-over-year growth in those sectors reached 16.3% and 3.2%, respectively.

Regular pay ranged from €919 in agriculture to €2,367 in energy-related industries, with increases of 16.1% and 4.3%. Base pay varied between €889 in agriculture and €2,081 in education, where annual growth reached 9.2%.

Employer size also played a role. Companies with one to four employees reported average gross total pay of €1,201, while firms with 500 or more workers averaged €2,729. The sharpest wage growth — 8.7% — occurred among the smallest businesses. A similar pattern was observed in regular pay, with smaller firms posting the strongest annual increase.

In the public sector, average total pay rose 8.1%, from €2,243 in December 2024 to €2,424 in December 2025. Regular pay increased 8.4%, and base salary climbed 8.1%.

Private-sector wages grew more modestly but still posted solid gains. Average total pay rose 6.3%, from €1,610 to €1,713. Regular pay increased 6.6%, while base salary climbed 6.7%, reaching €1,174.

Pay levels also differed depending on technological intensity and knowledge concentration. In medium- and high-technology manufacturing, average gross pay reached €1,489, a 5.8% increase. Low-technology manufacturing averaged €1,605, up 5.0%. Across manufacturing as a whole, wages averaged €1,580, reflecting 5.1% growth.

Knowledge-intensive services posted significantly higher pay levels, with average gross wages reaching €2,307, up 6.8%. Less knowledge-intensive services averaged €1,486, a 6.0% increase. Across the services sector overall, average wages stood at €1,948, up 6.5%.

The data are based on administrative records from the Monthly Earnings Declaration submitted to Social Security and contribution records from public-sector retirement subscribers, compiled by Portugal’s National Statistics Institute and covering employers based in the Autonomous Region of the Azores.

In Correio dos Açores- Natalino Viveiros, director

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.