OBJECTIVES: After Hungary joined to the European Union in 2004, health care professionals were allowed to enter onto the European labour market. The higher salaries in Western European countries are important motivating factors for Hungarian health care professional to go abroad. The aim of our study was to analyze the changes in the income of health care professionals in Hungary. METHODS: Data derive from the database of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. The following health care professional – working in hospitals – were included into the analysis: physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, dieticians, physiotherapists, midwifery, optometrists, health visitors, and occupational health professionals. We calculated the average increase in monthly income between 2003-2012. RESULTS: In 2003, we observed the highest income for pharmacists (287397 Hungarian Forint, HUF per month), specialist physicians (271220 HUF) and occupational health professionals (223836 HUF). We found the highest income in 2012 for specialist physicians (319765 HUF), pharmacists (370194 HUF) and general practitioners (319765 HUF). Between 2003-2012 the average increase of the income of all health care professionals was 39 %. We observed the highest increase in the income of optometrists (76 %) pharmacists (73 %) and specialist physicians (64 %), while we found the lowest increase in the income of health visitors (18 %), occupational health professionals (19 %) and dentists (21 %). CONCLUSIONS: Between 2003-2012 there was a remarkable increase in the income of health care professionals in Hungary. However, this increase showed significant differences among different professions. In order to prevent well trained health care professionals leaving Hungary for working abroad, futher increase of salaries is needed.