TL;DR
This page is your “gross ↔ net translator” for Romania (FY2026 rules, as implemented on IT Jobs List).
Use it when:
- an employer tells you only the gross and you want to understand your take-home pay
- you have a net target and need a practical way to find the gross number to negotiate
- you want to compare compensation packages across different structures (12 vs 13 salaries, bonus-heavy packages, benefits)
If you’re choosing between CIM (employee) and B2B (contractor), use the dedicated comparison tool:
What “gross salary” means (and why it matters)
In Romania, offers are often communicated as gross because it’s the contractual amount. But what you care about day-to-day is net (what reaches your bank account).
Two common pitfalls:
- Comparing your net expectations to someone else’s gross offer (or vice versa).
- Assuming a gross increase translates 1:1 to net (it doesn’t).
That’s why this page is designed as a negotiation and comparison tool, not an accounting system.
Who this is for
- Candidates switching jobs and comparing offers that list gross only.
- Hiring managers who want to communicate compensation clearly and reduce back-and-forth.
- Anyone with net expectations who needs to translate them into gross contract numbers.
How to use it (fast and practical)
A) You have a gross offer and want net (most common)
- Enter the gross monthly salary.
- Read the estimated net.
- Compare it against your current net and your lifestyle budget.
B) You have a net target and want to estimate gross (use iterative search)
There isn’t one “universal” net→gross because contract terms can vary. A practical approach:
- Start with a guess (e.g., gross = net × 1.6 as a rough initial guess).
- Run the calculator, check the estimated net.
- Increase/decrease gross until you reach your target.
This takes 3–5 iterations and is usually enough for negotiation prep.
C) You’re comparing packages (salary + bonus + benefits)
Normalize to the same frame:
- monthly net (for cashflow)
- yearly net (for total value)
Then handle bonuses and benefits explicitly (don’t assume they behave like salary).
Worked examples (how people actually decide)
Example 1: “Gross only” offer
Offer letter: 22,000 RON gross.
You want to know:
- expected net each month
- whether the delta vs your current role is worth switching
Run it, then compare:
- net/month difference
- annual difference = net delta × 12
Example 2: Net target negotiation
You want ~14,000 RON net per month.
Use the iterative approach:
- Pick a gross guess.
- Run it.
- Adjust until the estimate lands close to your target net.
Then communicate in negotiation language:
- “My target is X gross (which corresponds to ~Y net under standard assumptions).”
Example 3: 12 months vs “13th salary”
Offer A: higher monthly gross, no 13th salary
Offer B: slightly lower monthly gross + a 13th salary
Compare:
- Monthly net (cashflow)
- Annual net (total value)
If the 13th salary is discretionary, treat it as uncertain and model a scenario (0% / typical / best case).
Example 4: bonus-heavy package
Offer A: 20,000 gross, no bonus
Offer B: 18,000 gross + performance bonus
You should compare:
- baseline monthly net (from salary)
- a separate “expected value” for the bonus (and its probability)
What can make gross→net differ in practice
This page gives an estimate, but real payroll can differ due to:
- deductions or special regimes
- benefit structures (some are taxed differently)
- partial months (start dates) or multiple income sources
- specific legal/exemption scenarios (validate with payroll/HR)
FAQ
Is gross the only number that matters?
No. Gross is the contract number, but your decision is driven by net and by your total compensation (benefits, equity, bonus reliability).
Can I compare CIM vs B2B with this page?
Not properly. Use:
How do I estimate gross from net quickly?
Use the iterative method (3–5 runs) and then confirm assumptions with HR/payroll.
Where should I go next?
Sources
Next steps (IT Jobs List)
After you get a number, the important part is interpretation: what it means for your offer, monthly budget, and comparing scenarios (employee vs contractor).
Quick recommendation
- Save your assumptions (rates, breaks, thresholds) so you can reproduce the result.
- If you use the output in an invoice/offer, include a short explanation (what’s included and what’s not).
Practical checklist (IT Jobs List)
- Compare gross vs net and write down assumptions (IT exemption, deductions, bonuses).
- Confirm whether the offer is employee (CIM) or contractor (B2B) and use the right scenario.
- Save a copy/paste summary for HR (net, gross, taxes, total cost).
