Part of the series on working in Italy
Work in Italy 2026: general guide
Lavoro Autonomo: residence permit for freelancers
Partita IVA: how to open a sole proprietorship
Cost of living by city
Contents
- Italian labor market 2026 - north vs south, salaries by city
- Working in Milan 2026 - capital of business and IT
- Working in Rome 2026 - public sector, tourism, diplomacy
- Bologna - universities, startups, Motor Valley
- Turin - industry, aerospace, family option
- Southern Italy - Naples, Bari, Palermo
- Remote work from small Italian towns
- Where Russian is needed in Italy 2026
- Salaries in Italy by city and profession 2026
- Conclusions - which city to choose
Italian labor market 2026 - salaries by city and region
This analysis focuses on the criterion of high salary. The full list of criteria is here.
Which Italian cities are actually suitable for work in 2026 — and where do salaries differ the most from the cost of living?
Working in Italy for Russian-speakers in 2026 is primarily a matter of choosing the right city. Salaries in Italy vary enormously by city: the difference between Milan and Palermo can be 40–60% for the same position. Working in Milan and working in Rome are two completely different markets, with different rules and opportunities.
The national average salary is 1300–1700 EUR net per month. But that number means little unless tied to a specific city. In the north a specialist earns 1800–2200 EUR net, in the south 1100–1400. At the same time, the cost of living also differs, and a high salary doesn’t always mean more money left in your pocket.
Comparison with other countries
"In Austria everything costs more, but salaries are higher too. In Italy nepotism is well developed, and getting in is possible only if you’re a top specialist."
Community member with experience living in several European countries
The main feature of the Italian labor market is nepotism and cronyism. Connections here often matter more than a résumé. Especially in the south and in the public sector. This is not a stereotype — it’s reality that every immigrant faces. Without Italian at least at B1–B2 level, chances of getting a contract job are close to zero in most sectors. Exceptions are IT and international companies where English is the working language.
Real salaries
"Average salary in Italy is 1300 EUR, pensions are roughly the same. You can live on that in the south, but in large northern cities it’s hard."
Community member with experience living in several Italian regions
By sector: IT is the only industry where salaries approach European levels. Traditional sectors (construction, tourism, agriculture) pay 1000–1500 EUR net. Fashion and design in Milan are a separate story, ranging from 1200 to 3000+ depending on brand and position.
What this article is about
Detailed breakdown of working in Italy by city in 2026: where they pay more, where life is cheaper, where Russian is useful. With real salary numbers by profession and concrete recommendations from the community.
Working in Milan 2026 - capital of business, IT, fashion and finance
Why is working in Milan considered the best option for a career in Italy — and how much do Russian-speaking specialists actually earn?
Working in Milan is the first choice for those coming to Italy to build a career. Milan is the country’s business capital, home to headquarters of the largest companies, banks, fashion houses and IT firms. Salaries in Milan are on average 20–30% higher than elsewhere in Italy.
The IT sector in Milan pays best: an experienced developer earns 3000–4500 EUR net, middle positions 2200–3000, juniors 1400–1800. These are the highest IT salaries in Italy. Amazon, Microsoft, Google operate here, as well as dozens of major Italian IT companies.
Junior: 1400-1800 EUR net. Middle: 2200-3000 EUR. Senior: 3000-4500 EUR. DevOps, data science, AI at the top end. Working language often English.
Analyst: 1800-2500 EUR net. Manager: 3000-4000 EUR. UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, Mediobanca — all in Milan. Italian B2 required.
Assistant: 1200-1600 EUR. Designer: 1800-2800 EUR. Brand manager: 2500-3500 EUR. Gucci, Prada, Armani — all based in Milan.
Specialist: 1500-2000 EUR. Manager: 2200-3000 EUR. Digital marketing is a growing segment with many international agencies.
The Russian-speaking community in Milan is one of the largest in Italy. There are Russian schools, restaurants, cultural centers. Job search uses agencies: Umana, Adecco, Randstad, Manpower. LinkedIn works great for IT and corporate positions.
Finding work through agencies
"Once I found a decent job at a wine factory through Umana in Bolzano. Professional, everything clear by contract. Agencies in northern Italy actually work, unlike in the south."
Community member with experience finding work through an agency
The main downside of Milan is the cost of living. Rent for a one-bedroom in the center is 1000–1500 EUR, outskirts 700–1000. Competition for housing is huge: 20–30 people apply for a decent listing. With a 2000 EUR net salary, there’s not much left after rent and utilities.
| Expense item | Milan (center) | Milan (outskirts) |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom rent | 1000-1500 EUR | 700-1000 EUR |
| Utilities | 150-250 EUR | 120-200 EUR |
| Transport (ATM pass) | 39 EUR | 39 EUR |
| Groceries | 300-450 EUR | 250-400 EUR |
| Total without leisure | 1500-2240 EUR | 1110-1640 EUR |
For a comfortable life alone in Milan you need a salary of at least 2000–2500 EUR net. For a family — from 3500.
Russian school in Milan
"We go to the Harmonia school in Milan. Education is good, helps children develop an unconventional approach. For families with kids this is an important plus of the city."
Community member, mother of two in Milan
Working in Milan - lifehack
Consider suburbs with good transport links: Monza, Bergamo, Brescia. Work in Milan, live outside the city — save 300–500 EUR/month on rent. Trenord trains run regularly, season pass 50–80 EUR.
Worker requirements
"A banconista is needed for a gelateria in Milan. Italian from B2 and up. Without the language they don’t hire properly even in food service."
Announcement from the community chat
Working in Rome 2026 - public sector, tourism and diplomacy
How does working in Rome differ from Milan — and why are salaries lower even though the city is larger?
Working in Rome is a completely different story compared to Milan. Rome is the capital of bureaucracy, the public sector and tourism. IT salaries here are 15–25% lower than Milan: 2700–3800 EUR net for experienced specialists, 1800–2500 for middle positions. But the cost of living is also lower, especially rent.
Main sectors in Rome: government institutions (ministries, RAI, INPS), international organizations (FAO, IFAD, WFP), tourism, diplomacy. For Russian-speakers a niche is tourism services: guides, hotels, restaurants with Russian-speaking staff.
Architect salary in Rome
"Architect-visualizer in Rome: 1100-1300 EUR net per month for lavoro a progetto. This is reality for many non-IT specialists."
Community member, architect in Rome
The tourism sector in Rome is huge. The city receives 15+ million tourists each year. For Russian-speakers this creates opportunities: tour guides, transfers, boutique hotels, Russian restaurants. Work is seasonal — peak from April to October, quieter in winter.
Competitions (concorsi pubblici) for civil service. UN organizations in Rome: FAO, IFAD, WFP. Salaries 2500-5000+ EUR net, but competition is huge.
Guides: 100-200 EUR/day in season. Hotels: 1200-1800 EUR net. Restaurants: 1000-1500 EUR. Strong seasonality. Russian language is a plus.
IT sector is growing, but far from Milan. Junior: 1300-1700 EUR. Middle: 1800-2500 EUR. Senior: 2700-3800 EUR. Many public contracts.
Agents selling/renting to Russian buyers. Translators, lawyers. Niche but stable work.
Student work in Rome
"A working student in Rome received Naspi benefits, CUD with good income. Combining study and work is possible, but you must be ready for bureaucracy."
Community member, student in Rome
Rent in Rome is 15–20% cheaper than Milan: one-bedroom in the center 800–1200 EUR, outskirts 500–800. Bureaucracy in Rome is worse than in the north — affecting everything: from opening a bank account to obtaining documents at the questura. Allow extra time for paperwork. Popular areas among young immigrants: Trastevere, San Lorenzo, Pigneto.
Bureaucracy in Rome
The questura in Rome is one of the slowest in the country. Waiting for an appuntamento (appointment) can take months. Work-related issues (contracts, INPS) are also resolved more slowly than in Milan or Bologna. Build in extra time for all paperwork.
Bologna 2026 - universities, startups and Motor Valley
Why is Bologna considered the best balance of salary/cost of living in Italy — and what is Motor Valley?
Bologna is often underestimated. But by salary/cost-of-living ratio it’s one of the best options in Italy for Russian-speakers in 2026. The University of Bologna is the oldest in Europe, and the city revolves around education, startups and the food industry.
Salaries in Bologna are 5–10% lower than in Milan, but rent is 25–30% cheaper. One-bedroom: 600–900 EUR in the center, 400–600 on the outskirts. For IT specialists: 2000–3500 EUR net. For the food industry: 1400–2000.
Job ads in the north
"A full-time cost estimator is needed in an office in northern Italy. Salary from CCNL, permanent contract. In the north you can realistically find decent work in your specialty."
Announcement from the community chat, Emilia-Romagna
Motor Valley is a unique feature of Emilia-Romagna. Within about 50 km of Bologna are the factories of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, Maserati, Pagani. This is thousands of jobs for engineers, designers and technicians. Salaries in the automotive industry: 2000–3500 EUR net for engineers, 1500–2200 for technicians.
- Ferrari (Maranello) — engineers, designers, test drivers. Salaries above market by 20–30%
- Lamborghini (Sant’Agata Bolognese) — manufacturing, R&D, IT. Part of Volkswagen group
- Ducati (Bologna) — motorcycles, engineering. Part of Audi/VW group
- Maserati (Modena) — premium segment, transition to electric
- Dallara (Parma) — race cars, aerodynamics, composites
Bologna is a major university city (100,000+ students). This creates a market for part