We all know that Sofia is the main hub, and center of most big tech-company offices. But cities like Plovdiv and Varna also have great IT communities and they offer great opportunities.
Understanding these regional differences can help candidates (or employers) make smarter decisions about where to look for jobs, what to expect in terms of roles and compensation, and how to approach career growth or relocation.
In this article, we’ll compare Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna – types of companies, typical roles, salary differences, remote-work patterns, and what candidates should know before choosing.
City Profiles: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna
Sofia – Capital, full-stack ecosystem, outsourcing & product companies:
● A report by Red Jumpers+2Agency Partners+2 shows that Sofia remains the center of large international companies, product teams, outsourcing/BPO centers, and startups. Many international tech-giants and outsourcing shops are headquartered or have major offices there.
● Because of high demand and volume of opportunities, you’ll find almost every tech specialization here: backend/frontend development, DevOps, data, infrastructure, security, management, etc.
Plovdiv – Growing outsourcing and BPO cluster, mid-size companies, stable teams:
● A report by acs-bulgaria.com+1 shows that Plovdiv has become an attractive city for outsourcing, BPO and sourcing companies. According to the report, Plovdiv district hosts dozens of sourcing firms and has seen steady growth in office space and investments in IT/BPO.
● For many companies – especially smaller or mid-size – Plovdiv offers a balance: lower costs than Sofia, but still access to well-educated workforce and reasonable infrastructure. That’s why some Scandinavian and Western outsourcing/product companies choose to operate there.
● Roles are often in outsourcing/BPO context, product support, mid-level development, QA, and more stable, long-term assignments rather than high-risk startup gigs.
Varna – Emerging tech and outsourcing hub and lifestyle appeal:
● Varna is gradually growing as a tech/outsourcing hub: there are a number of sourcing/IT firms there, contributing to the trend of decentralization of the tech industry in Bulgaria.
● For many remote-friendly or BPO companies, Varna offers lower overhead and appealing lifestyle benefits – proximity to sea/coast, lower living costs – which attract both local and remote-oriented professionals.
● Typical roles may include support, maintenance, outsourcing projects, remote-first teams, and hybrid roles.
Salary & Compensation Differences by Region
Because of differences in demand, cost of living, and types of companies, salaries vary across these cities.
● According to a 2025 salary guide nextjob.bg+1, senior developers in Sofia tend to earn more – with ranges higher than in Plovdiv or Varna.
● As a rough benchmark: senior-level roles in Plovdiv and Varna tend to offer lower compensation compared to Sofia (reflecting 20–30% difference) while still offering competitive benefits and lower living costs.
● For some roles (especially infrastructure, DevOps, backend, specialized roles), compensation remains strong across all regions — but in Sofia you’ll more often find the highest-end offers and bonuses.
● At the same time, companies outside Sofia often offer a better quality-of-life tradeoff: living costs, commute times, work-life balance.
Takeaway: if you’re after maximum pay and variety, Sofia gives more choices. If you value stability, lower cost of living, and fewer pressures, Plovdiv or Varna can be a solid choice.
Remote Opportunities & Outsourcing Trends
● Many remote-friendly and outsourcing companies in Bulgaria are based in Sofia, but remote work opens the door for people living anywhere in Plovdiv, Varna, or other cities.
● Plovdiv and Varna are increasingly seen as viable alternatives for outsourcing or remote-first companies. Some outsourcing clusters already operate there, benefiting from lower overhead while still accessing skilled talent.
● For developers: this means you don’t necessarily need to relocate to Sofia to work in a good tech job, remote-first positions, outsourcing roles, or hybrid formats are increasingly common outside the capital.
What This Means for Candidates – How to Choose Where and Why
Bulgaria’s tech ecosystem is not one-dimensional, it has multiple centers, each with its unique strengths. Choosing where to work, Sofia/Plovdiv/Varna, depends on your personal priorities: salary, work-life balance, stability, lifestyle, or remote flexibility.
The smart candidate doesn’t just chase the highest paycheck. They evaluate things like what kind of company they want to work for (outsourcing, product, remote, hybrid), what lifestyle fits them best, and what long-term career and growth they aim for.