Israeli Salaries in the 40s: A Detailed Look at Income Across Professions

The average gross monthly salary for Israelis aged 40-49 is projected to reach approximately 20,700 shekels in 2026, reflecting a 5.2% increase from the first half of 2025. This age group earns about 22% more than those in their 30s, who average around 17,000 shekels, and significantly more than the overall average salary of 15,900 shekels. However, the median salary for those in their 40s is estimated at 15,200 shekels, indicating that half of the approximately 770,000 employees in this age bracket earn less than this amount. This substantial gap between the average and median salaries is driven by high earners in fields like high-tech, finance, and senior management, who can earn double or triple the income of others.

The salary growth also varies by profession. While the average salary increases by about 22% between the 30s and 40s, the median salary only rises by approximately 16%. In contrast, the high-tech sector saw a more significant average salary increase of 6.5%, reaching about 35,300 shekels per month. Overall, the average monthly salary across all employees rose by about 5.2% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, while consumer prices increased by only 1.9%, indicating a real wage increase of over 3% on average.

Significant disparities exist across different professions. Employees in their 40s in service, education, and welfare sectors earn considerably less, with customer service representatives earning an estimated 11,000-13,500 shekels, teachers 12,000-16,500 shekels, and social workers 13,000-16,500 shekels. In contrast, skilled trades like certified electricians and plumbers earn between 14,000-19,000 shekels. Professionals with academic degrees and certifications, such as nurses, accountants, and civil engineers, earn between 19,000-24,500 shekels.

The highest salaries are found in high-tech, where software developers in their 40s can earn 33,500-40,500 shekels, and specialists in areas like algorithm development, chips, and machine learning can reach 40,000-53,000 shekels, potentially earning three times more than those in service professions.

Gender pay gaps also widen in this age group. Men in their 40s earn an average of 25,300 shekels, while women earn approximately 16,300 shekels, a difference of about 9,000 shekels per month, with men earning 55% more. This gap is attributed to factors like differences in working hours, industry concentration, career breaks, part-time employment, and the impact of childcare, though the data does not isolate the exact contribution of each factor or reflect pay for identical roles.

After age 50, salary growth slows. The average salary for those aged 50-59 is projected to be around 21,300 shekels in 2026, a modest 3% increase from their 40s, with the median salary slightly decreasing to 15,000 shekels. Post-60, average salaries drop further to about 15,400 shekels, partly due to a shift towards part-time work, reduced hours, and early retirement.