Average salaries across Europe are often quoted as simple comparisons — but without context on methodology, taxation, and cost of living, those figures rarely tell the full story.
Disclaimer
The information and data presented in this article are based on the most recent publicly available statistical data from official European statistical sources, primarily Eurostat. All salary-related data are provided in aggregated form only and refer to statistical averages or medians calculated for specific worker profiles and defined reference periods. Individual earnings may differ significantly from the figures reported depending on, inter alia, sector of activity, occupation, geographic location, type of employment contract, working time arrangements, applicable tax regime, and personal circumstances. Gross salary figures do not constitute a measure of actual take-home pay. Net earnings depend on national tax and social security contribution systems and are subject to rules and parameters that vary across Member States.
This article is provided solely for informational, analytical, and comparative purposes. It does not constitute, and should not be construed as, financial, tax, or legal advice, nor does it represent a recommendation regarding employment, geographic mobility, residence, or any other individual decision. Reference years, data sources, and statistical methodologies may differ across countries, and the figures presented may be subject to subsequent revision by the competent statistical authorities.
Introduction
Average salary figures in Europe sound deceptively simple. One number, one comparison, a quick conclusion. In reality, the picture is far more layered.
Average salaries across Europe are frequently cited as shorthand for living standards, competitiveness, or income gaps between countries. What is often missing is the context behind those figures — whether they refer to gross or net pay, full-time workers only or a broader population, and which statistical definitions are being used.
This is where comparisons often break down.
In a European setting, there is no single, uniform “average salary” metric. Different datasets capture different aspects of earnings, are published with varying time lags, and are not always directly comparable across countries without careful qualification.
The purpose of this article is to explain average salaries across Europe using the latest available European statistical data, clarify what each measure does — and does not — represent, and show how interpretation changes depending on methodology. The focus is on transparency and comparability, not on producing a simple ranking.
Methodology and Data Sources
This article is based on publicly available European statistical data, primarily from Eurostat, supplemented where necessary by secondary institutional sources for contextual interpretation. The objective is to present comparable indicators of earnings across European countries while clearly distinguishing between different statistical concepts and their limitations.
There is no single, fully harmonised “average salary” measure in the European Union. Instead, this analysis draws on several complementary datasets, each capturing a different dimension of earnings.
Core salary indicators used
The main reference for gross salaries is Eurostat’s annual full-time adjusted salary dataset (nama_10_fte). This indicator reflects average gross annual earnings for full-time employees, adjusted to improve comparability across countries with different working-time structures.
The most recent data available range from 2023 final figures to early or provisional 2024 estimates, depending on the country and national reporting timetable.
To assess take-home pay, the article uses Eurostat’s net annual earnings indicators. These figures are model-based estimates based on OECD model using national sources and national tax/SSC parameters data and national tax and social contribution rules, calculated for standardised household profiles, typically a single worker without children. They are designed for cross-country comparison rather than as a measure of actual individual net income.
For distributional context, median gross hourly earnings from the Structure of Earnings Survey are referenced. Median indicators help illustrate typical earnings levels and reduce the influence of very high salaries on arithmetic averages. The most recent broadly comparable SES data currently relate to the 2022 reference year, with updates published on a staggered basis.
Important methodological distinctions
Several safeguards are applied throughout the article:
- Gross and net earnings are treated as distinct measures and are not used interchangeably.
- Annual salaries and hourly earnings serve different analytical purposes and are not directly compared without qualification.
- Labour costs are not treated as wages. Labour cost indicators include employers’ social contributions and other non-wage components and are referenced only where explicitly stated.
- Data availability and reference years vary across countries due to reporting lags. All figures are labelled accordingly.
Where purchasing power comparisons are discussed, purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustments are used to contextualise nominal salary differences. PPP-adjusted figures are presented as a supplementary analytical tool, not as a replacement for nominal earnings data.
Scope and limitations
All figures presented are aggregated national averages or medians. They do not reflect variation by region, occupation, sector, seniority, or individual tax circumstances. Salary distributions within countries can be wide, and comparisons should be interpreted with appropriate caution.
The term “average salary” is used in this article as a descriptive umbrella term. Each usage is supported by a clearly defined underlying indicator, dataset, and reference year to avoid ambiguity.
What “Average Salary” Means in a European Context
The term average salary is widely used, but it does not describe a single, uniform concept across Europe. In statistical terms, it is a shorthand — not a precise definition.
At its core, an average salary usually refers to the arithmetic mean of earnings within a defined group of employees over a given period. That group, however, can vary substantially. Some indicators include only full-time workers, others cover all employees. Some measure annual earnings, others hourly pay. The results are therefore sensitive to how the population is defined.
And that matters.
In countries with a high concentration of high-income roles, averages tend to be pulled upward by a relatively small number of top earners. In economies with a more compressed wage structure, the difference between average and typical pay is often smaller. As a result, two countries with similar median earnings can show very different averages.
Another layer of complexity comes from working-time patterns. Part-time employment is more prevalent in some European labour markets than others, particularly among certain age groups and sectors. Indicators that are not adjusted for working time can therefore understate or overstate earnings when used for cross-country comparisons.
This is why multiple measures are needed.
Throughout this article, the term average salary is used only as a general label. Each comparison is based on a clearly specified indicator — such as full-time adjusted annual earnings, net annual earnings for a standardised worker profile, or median hourly pay — depending on the analytical question being addressed.
In short, averages are informative, but only when the underlying definition is made explicit.
EU-Wide Salary Overview: EU-27 and the Euro Area
Before comparing individual regions, it is useful to step back and look at the EU as a whole. Aggregate figures provide a reference point — but not a benchmark for any single country.
According to Eurostat, the average annual full-time adjusted salary per employee in the EU-27 reached €39,800 in 2024, up from €37,800 in 2023. This represents a nominal increase of just over 5% year on year.
The corresponding figure for the euro area (20 countries) was higher, at €43,512 in 2024, reflecting the greater weight of higher-income economies within the monetary union.
One point matters here.
These EU-level figures are statistical aggregates, not representative salaries. They combine countries with very different income levels, labour market structures, and price environments. As a result, the EU average does not describe what a “typical” worker earns in any specific Member State.
Another distinction is often overlooked.
EU-wide averages are influenced disproportionately by larger economies and countries with higher wage levels. Smaller Member States — whether high-income or low-income — have a limited impact on the aggregate outcome. This makes EU-level figures useful for tracking broad trends over time, but less suitable for assessing relative living standards.
In practice, the EU average functions best as a trend indicator, not a point of comparison.
The regional sections that follow therefore focus on national data, presented within coherent regional groupings, where differences in labour market institutions and economic structure can be interpreted more meaningfully.
With these definitions in place, the next step is to look at how earnings levels differ across Europe in practice. To avoid mixing fundamentally different labour market structures, the figures are presented by broad European regions rather than as a single continent-wide comparison.
This regional approach allows for clearer interpretation of average salary levels while keeping institutional, economic, and reporting differences in view.
Average Gross Salaries in Western and Northern Europe
Western and Northern Europe report some of the highest average gross salary levels in the European Union. Taken at face value, however, these figures provide only a partial picture.
Labour markets in this region tend to combine high productivity with a relatively large share of full-time employment and well-established collective bargaining frameworks. At the same time, tax and social contribution systems are among the most comprehensive in Europe, which significantly affects how gross salary figures translate into take-home pay.
One clarification is necessary before looking at the numbers.
The table below presents average gross annual salaries for full-time employees, based on Eurostat’s annual full-time adjusted salary per employee indicator (nama_10_fte). Countries are listed in alphabetical order. The sequence is technical only and does not imply ranking or relative performance.
Table: Average Gross Annual Salaries – Western & Northern Europe
(Eurostat, nama_10_fte)
| Country | Average gross annual salary (€) | Eurostat reference year | Indicator used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | 58,600 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Belgium | 59,632 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Denmark | 71,565 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Finland | 49,428 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| France | 43,790 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Germany | 53,791 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Ireland | 61,051 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Luxembourg | 82,969 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Netherlands* | 56,000 | 2023 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (2023) |
| Sweden | 46,525 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
Source: Eurostat, Average full-time adjusted salary per employee (nama_10_fte). Data extracted on 29 January 2026.
Eurostat reference years reflect the most recent data available at the time of extraction. Figures may be revised as part of Eurostat’s regular data validation and update process.
Several caveats help avoid misinterpretation. These averages represent national-level outcomes and do not capture differences across regions, sectors, or income distributions within countries. In addition, higher gross salary levels in this region often coincide with higher effective tax and social contribution burdens — an issue examined later when net earnings are discussed.
High headline figures, paired with a more complex institutional and fiscal context.
Average Gross Salaries in Southern Europe
Southern Europe shows a distinct salary profile within the EU. Average gross salary levels are generally lower than in Northern and Western Europe, but the internal variation across countries is substantial.
Labour markets in this region are shaped by a higher prevalence of services, tourism, and small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside more fragmented collective bargaining structures. Employment patterns also differ, with a higher share of temporary and part-time contracts in several countries, which influences aggregate earnings outcomes.
One point needs to be stated clearly.
The table below presents average gross annual salaries for full-time employees, based on Eurostat’s annual full-time adjusted salary per employee indicator (nama_10_fte). Countries are listed in alphabetical order. The sequence is technical only and does not imply ranking or relative performance.
Table: Average Gross Annual Salaries – Southern Europe
(Eurostat, nama_10_fte)
| Country | Average gross annual salary (€) | Eurostat reference year | Indicator used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | 27,611 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Greece | 17,954 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Italy | 33,523 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Malta | 33,499 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Portugal | 24,818 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Spain | 33,700 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
Source: Eurostat, Average full-time adjusted salary per employee (nama_10_fte). Data extracted on 29 January 2026.
Eurostat reference years reflect the most recent data available at the time of extraction. Figures may be revised as part of Eurostat’s regular data validation and update process.
Several caveats are important when interpreting these figures. National averages mask significant differences between metropolitan areas and less urbanised regions, as well as between sectors such as tourism, manufacturing, and public administration. In addition, lower nominal salaries in parts of Southern Europe are often accompanied by different cost-of-living dynamics, which are addressed later through purchasing power comparisons.
Lower headline figures, but a far from uniform regional reality.
Average Gross Salaries in Central and Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern Europe display the widest salary dispersion within the EU. Average gross salary levels remain below the EU average, but the pace of change over the past decade has been uneven — and in some cases substantial.
Labour markets across the region have been shaped by a combination of structural convergence, foreign direct investment, and rising labour shortages, particularly in manufacturing and export-oriented services. At the same time, differences in productivity, sectoral composition, and institutional frameworks remain pronounced.
One clarification is essential.
The table below presents average gross annual salaries for full-time employees, based on Eurostat’s annual full-time adjusted salary per employee indicator (nama_10_fte). Countries are listed in alphabetical order. The sequence is technical only and does not imply ranking or relative performance.
Table: Average Gross Annual Salaries – Central & Eastern Europe
(Eurostat, nama_10_fte)
| Country | Average gross annual salary (€) | Eurostat reference year | Indicator used | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulgaria | 15,387 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Croatia | 23,446 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Czechia | 23,998 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Estonia | 26,546 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Hungary | 18,461 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Latvia | 22,262 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Lithuania | 29,104 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Poland | 21,246 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Romania | 21,108 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Slovakia | 20,287 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
| Slovenia | 35,133 | 2024 | Annual full-time adjusted salary | Eurostat reference year (subject to revision) |
Source: Eurostat, Average full-time adjusted salary per employee (nama_10_fte). Data extracted on 29 January 2026.
Eurostat reference years reflect the most recent data available at the time of extraction. Figures may be revised as part of Eurostat’s regular data validation and update process.
Several points help put these figures into context. National averages in this region often conceal sharp internal differences between capital cities and other regions, as well as between export-oriented sectors and domestically focused services. In addition, faster nominal wage growth in recent years does not necessarily translate into equivalent gains in purchasing power.
Lower averages, rapid change, and persistent internal divergence.
Gross vs. Net Salaries: Why Take-Home Pay Tells a Different Story
Gross salary figures are the most commonly cited — and the most easily misinterpreted. What employees actually receive, however, depends on a different set of variables.
The gap between gross and net earnings varies widely across Europe. Income taxes, employee social contributions, tax allowances, and family-related benefits all play a role. As a result, two countries with similar gross salaries can produce very different take-home pay outcomes.
This is not a marginal detail.
To illustrate this, Eurostat publishes net annual earnings indicators alongside gross salary data. These figures are model-based estimates, derived from the Structure of Earnings Survey and national tax and contribution rules, calculated for standardised worker profiles — most commonly a single employee without children earning an average wage in the business economy (NACE B–N).
According to Eurostat, the average net annual earnings for this standardised profile in the EU amounted to €29,573 in 2024, compared with a gross full-time adjusted salary of €39,800. The difference reflects the combined impact of taxes and employee social contributions across Member States.
Eurostat’s net annual earnings figures are taken from the earn_nt_net dataset and represent model-based estimates using OECD tax-benefit methodology, applying national tax and social contribution rules. The figures refer to standardised household profiles — typically a single employee without children earning the average wage — and should not be interpreted as observed take-home pay.
And this is where comparisons become tricky.
In countries with high statutory tax rates and comprehensive social systems, the reduction from gross to net pay is more pronounced. In others, lower income taxes or social contributions result in a smaller gap. Importantly, neither outcome is inherently “better” or “worse” — they reflect different policy choices and social models.
Another complication is comparability.
Net earnings indicators are not observed wages. They are simulations based on a defined household structure and cannot capture individual circumstances such as additional income, deductions, or region-specific taxes. For households with children, second earners, or atypical contracts, actual net income can diverge substantially from the modelled figures.
The takeaway is straightforward.
Gross salaries are useful for comparing labour costs and productivity across countries. Net salaries are more informative when discussing disposable income. Confusing the two — or switching between them without explanation — is one of the most common sources of error in cross-country salary comparisons.
Different measures. Different questions. Different answers.
Salaries Adjusted for Purchasing Power (PPP)
Nominal salary figures show what people earn in euros. They do not show what those euros can actually buy.
This is where purchasing power parity (PPP) adjustments come in.
PPP is a statistical method that accounts for differences in price levels between countries. When salaries are adjusted for purchasing power, they are expressed in a way that reflects relative domestic buying power, not nominal income. In simple terms, a lower salary in a cheaper country may go further than a higher salary in a more expensive one.
The implications are significant.
When gross salaries are adjusted for PPP, cross-country comparisons often change noticeably. Several Central and Eastern European countries appear closer to the EU average, while some high-income countries move down relative to their nominal position due to higher price levels. The direction of change is systematic, not accidental.
According to Eurostat, PPP-adjusted indicators are designed to improve comparability across economies with different cost structures. They are widely used in EU income and productivity comparisons for this reason.
However, PPP is not a perfect solution.
PPP adjustments are based on average national price levels, not individual consumption patterns. Housing costs, in particular, can vary widely within countries and are not always fully reflected in aggregate price indices. As a result, PPP-adjusted salaries describe relative purchasing power on average, not the lived experience of specific households.
Another limitation is interpretational.
PPP-adjusted figures are useful for understanding relative standards of living, but they are less suitable for analysing labour costs, tax bases, or cross-border wage competition. Using PPP-adjusted salaries to draw conclusions about labour market “competitiveness” can therefore be misleading.
The distinction matters.
Nominal salaries answer the question: How much is paid?
PPP-adjusted salaries answer a different one: What can that pay buy, on average, at home?
Different questions. Different metrics.
How Salary Levels Compare Across European Regions
Looking across the three regional groupings, several consistent patterns emerge — but none lend themselves to a single, simple conclusion.
In Western and Northern Europe, nominal gross salaries are generally higher, reflecting higher productivity levels, a larger share of full-time employment, and mature labour market institutions. These higher headline figures, however, are closely linked to more comprehensive tax and social contribution systems, which significantly affect net take-home pay.
Southern Europe occupies a middle position. Average gross salaries are lower than in the northern part of the continent, but internal variation is substantial. Differences between metropolitan areas and smaller regions, as well as between sectors, play a larger role in shaping national averages than regional labels alone suggest.
In Central and Eastern Europe, average salary levels remain below the EU-wide figures, yet the picture is more dynamic. Faster nominal wage growth, structural convergence, and labour shortages in certain industries have narrowed gaps over time, even as internal disparities — particularly between capital cities and other regions — remain pronounced.
What becomes clear is that regional comparisons depend heavily on the metric used. Gross figures highlight differences in productivity and labour costs. Net earnings reflect national tax and contribution systems. PPP-adjusted measures reduce some of the apparent gaps but introduce their own limitations.
The regions differ — but not along a single, easily ranked dimension.
Common Interpretation Mistakes
Most misinterpretations of European salary data stem from mixing indicators that answer different questions.
The most frequent mistake is treating gross and net salaries as interchangeable. Gross figures describe labour market outcomes and productivity; net figures reflect tax and contribution systems. Switching between the two without explanation produces misleading comparisons.
Another common error is using EU-wide averages as a proxy for typical earnings. EU aggregates are weighted statistical constructs. They do not represent what most workers in any given country earn and should not be read that way.
A third issue is ignoring differences in reference years and datasets. Salary indicators are released on staggered schedules, and not all countries publish final data at the same time. Comparing figures from different years or from different statistical frameworks without adjustment undermines comparability.
Finally, PPP-adjusted figures are often overextended. Purchasing power measures are useful for contextualising cost-of-living differences, but they are not suitable for analysing labour costs, tax bases, or wage competitiveness.
Different questions require different indicators. Treating them as interchangeable is where most comparisons break down.
Conclusion
Average salary figures across Europe are widely cited because they appear simple. In practice, they are anything but.
Once definitions, tax systems, cost-of-living differences, and statistical methods are taken into account, the idea of a single, comparable “European salary” dissolves. What remains are several valid measures, each answering a different question.
The uncomfortable reality is that most headline comparisons say less about what people actually earn or can afford than they initially suggest. The value of salary data lies not in the number itself, but in understanding what it measures — and what it does not.
That distinction, more than any ranking, is what makes European salary comparisons meaningful.
Key Takeaways
- There is no single, fully harmonised “average salary” measure in Europe.
- Gross salaries, net earnings, and PPP-adjusted figures describe different aspects of income and are not directly interchangeable.
- EU-wide averages are best understood as trend indicators, not representative salaries.
- Regional patterns exist, but internal variation within countries often exceeds differences between regions.
- Purchasing power adjustments change the comparison, but do not eliminate structural differences.
- Transparent use of datasets, reference years, and definitions is essential for meaningful comparison.
FAQ: Average Salaries Across Europe
There is no single “European average salary.” EU-wide figures published by Eurostat are statistical aggregates that combine countries with very different income levels and labour market structures. They are best used to track trends over time, not to describe typical earnings.
Differences reflect variations in productivity, economic structure, labour market institutions, taxation, and price levels. National averages are also influenced by sectoral composition and the share of full-time employment.
No. The average (mean) can be pulled upward by high earners, while the median represents the middle of the income distribution. Median earnings often provide a better picture of what a “typical” worker earns, but are not always available for all countries and years.
It depends on the question. Gross salaries are useful for analysing labour market outcomes and productivity. Net salaries are more relevant for disposable income. Comparing one while drawing conclusions about the other leads to misleading results.
EU averages are weighted aggregates, not representative values. Larger and higher-income countries have a disproportionate influence, while smaller Member States affect the result only marginally.
It refers to earnings adjusted to a full-time equivalent basis, allowing better comparison between countries with different shares of part-time work. It does not describe actual take-home pay.
PPP-adjusted figures are better for comparing relative purchasing power across countries. Nominal figures are more appropriate for analysing wages, labour costs, and tax bases. Neither is universally “better.”
Statistical data are released on staggered schedules. Some countries publish final figures earlier than others, and some years may still be subject to revision at the time of publication.
No. National averages mask large internal differences between regions, cities and rural areas, and across sectors. In many countries, internal variation exceeds differences between national averages.
Only partially. Living standards depend not just on income, but also on prices, housing costs, public services, and household composition. Salary data need to be interpreted alongside these factors.
Matias Buće has a formal background in administrative law and more than ten years of experience studying global markets, forex trading, and personal finance. His legal training shapes his approach to investing — with a focus on regulation, structure, and risk management. At Finorum, he writes about a broad range of financial topics, from European ETFs to practical personal finance strategies for everyday investors.