A good salary can vary greatly depending on the profession, training and personal expectations. ‘Euronews Business’ analyzes what constitutes a good salary in the main European capitals.
It is not as simple as it seems to find out what is considered a good salary in each country. According to Chris Chasteen, Director of Research at ERI Economic Research Institutethe answer depends on factors such as place of residence, experience, training, sectorneeds and lifestyle.
Based on estimates from placement agencies and expert opinions, ‘Euronews Business’ finds out in this article what would be considered a good salary for the different European capitals.
According to Chasteen, any salary above average can be considered good. Anubha Verma, in her blog on the job search platform Indeed, emphasizes that earning an above-average salary can help comfortably cover basic needs and, at the same time, leave enough for personal enjoyment, such as travel and leisure or savings.
Between 40,000 and 60,000 euros gross per year in Berlin
According to Talentup, a gross annual salary of between 64,000 and 70,000 euros is considered a good salary in Germany. This translates into about 40,000 to 43,000 euros net per year or between 3,300 and 3,600 euros net per month for a single person. Salaries tend to be moderately highest in Berlin compared to other German cities if we look at the different professions.
“Although the cost of living in Berlin has risen in recent years, it is still more affordable than in other large European capitals such as London and Paris“, explains to Euronews Business Michael Stull, CEO of ManpowerGroup in the United Kingdom. “Berlin offers mid-career professionals salaries of between 40,000 and 60,000 euros gross per year.”
In London, mid-career professionals typically earn between £50,000 (€59,455) and £70,000 (€83,235) gross per year.
According to HousingAnywherethe average net monthly salary in the United Kingdom is 2,297 pounds (2,725 euros). In 2023, with a cost of living of 1,950 pounds (2,314 euros), an average monthly net salary of between 2,500 pounds (2,962 euros) and 3,300 pounds (3,915 euros) was considered a good salary in the UK.
Given that, according to the ONS, the median weekly gross earnings in London was a 23% higher than the UK averagea good salary in the capital should be at least between 3,643 and 4,815 euros. However, it should be between 3,922 and 5,183 euros in central London, which includes the City of London and thirteen districts.
Since salaries vary greatly depending on the sector, Michael Stull offers a wide range. “A good gross salary for a mid-career professional in London is usually between £50,000 (€59,455) and £70,000 (€83,235) a year,” he said.
A good salary for a comfortable life in France
In 2024, the average monthly net salary in France is 2.587 euroswhile the average salary is 1,940 euros, according to HousingAnywhere. Normally, a good salary for a comfortable life in France is around 3,200 euros per month for a single person or 5,600 euros per month for a family of three members.
However, due to the higher cost of living in Paris, you will need approximately 3,400 euros per month to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in the capital.
A good monthly net salary in Spain is around 2,700 euros
According to HousingAnywhere, the average net salary in Spain in 2024 is 1,785 euros per monththat is, 2,250 euros gross. To lead a comfortable life, it is estimated that a good monthly net salary in Spain is about 2.700 euros for a single person or 4,000 euros for someone with a dependent family.
Since the average salary in Madrid It is 18% higher than the national average, a good monthly net salary in the capital for a single person It should be at least 3,185 euros.
“A mid-career professional in Madrid can reasonably expect to earn between 35,000 and 55,000 euros gross per year,” says ManpowerGroup’s Stull. “While lower than London or Paris, this range is in line with the city’s more moderate cost of living.”
What is considered a good salary in Ireland?
In Irelanda gross salary of between 4,100 and 6,000 euros per month It is considered good for a comfortable life, according to Instarem. The average gross salary of full-time workers in the country is 3,220 euros per month.
Rome salaries lag behind northern Europe
According to ManpowerGroup, a good salary for a mid-career worker usually ranges between 35,000 and 50,000 euros gross per year. “Salaries in Roma They are usually lower compared to the northern European citiesbut this is partly offset by a lower cost of living,” says Stull.
ADVERTISINGa good gross salary in Rome It usually ranges between 3,750 and 5,690 euros, according to Salary Explorer. Salary Explorer offers the following estimates of a good monthly gross salary for other capitals:
- Athens: between 2,250 and 3,410 euros.
- Helsinki: 4.510- 6.830 euros.
- Copenhagen: 5.400- 8.180 euros.
- Stockholm: 3.900-5.900 euros.
a good salary It does not consist only of the base salary. “Consider the entire compensation package, including bonuses, stock options, health insurance, pension contributionspaid vacations and other benefits,” says Michael Stull.
“In some cases, these benefits can make a base salary more attractive Pawel Adrjan, head of EMEA research at Indeed Recruiting Lab, also stressed that the world is navigating through a historical transformation of work.
“Our data shows that searches for remote and hybrid work are at or near all-time highs in France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom“he told ‘Euronews Business’.
ADVERTISINGThe 2023 Survey on quality of life in European citiesof the General Directorate of Regional and Urban Policy of the European Commissionreveals significant variations in the economic satisfaction of EU households.
The percentage of people satisfied with the economic situation of their home ranges between 39% from Athens and 87% from Luxembourg. In general, satisfaction is higher in cities located in the northern and western EU countries.
