Average Salary Comparison in European Countries in 2026: Table and Overview

Average Salary in Europe: Overview

The average salary shows the general level of workers’ incomes in a country. It is calculated as the mean of all salaries and is often used to compare countries in Europe. However, it is important to remember that the average salary can be higher than what most people actually earn, because a few very high salaries can raise the average.

Average salaries in Europe differ a lot. In Western and Northern Europe, incomes are usually higher due to strong economies, high productivity, and higher living costs. In contrast, in Eastern and parts of Southern Europe, average salaries are much lower.

When comparing countries, keep in mind that these figures are before tax (gross), and the cost of living also varies. So, similar salaries in different countries can mean different standards of living.

Average salary helps to compare countries in Europe, but to truly understand living standards you should also consider taxes, median salary, and expenses.

Table of Average Salaries in Europe 2024

Below is a table showing average salaries in European countries according to the latest official data for 2024. The figures are given in euros per month before tax (gross), which makes it easier to compare general income levels between countries.

Note: The average salary may not reflect what most workers actually earn, and it does not take into account differences in taxes or cost of living.

Table 1: Average Monthly Salaries in European Countries in 2024 ¹

The table shows that Germany is among the countries with high average salaries, but it is still behind some Northern European countries and small but economically strong states. At the same time, the difference with Eastern Europe remains large and can be several times higher.

Comparing Average Salaries

Comparing average salaries across Europe shows a big gap between groups of countries. Depending on income level, countries can be roughly divided into several categories.

Highest average salaries — more than 5,600 € per month:

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway

Middle range — 2,500 - 5,600 € per month:

Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

Lowest average salaries — less than 2,500 € per month:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic

The difference between countries is still significant: in leading countries, average salaries can be more than 3.6 times higher than in countries with the lowest incomes. This shows the differences in economic development and productivity.

The chart below gives a clear picture of these differences for 2024. You can see how countries are grouped by income level: Germany is among those with high salaries, but it is still behind leaders like Switzerland and the Nordic countries. The chart makes it easy to see the gap between countries and just how big the differences are in income levels.

Chart 1. Comparison of Average Salaries by European Country
in 2024

Germany has a stable position among countries with medium-high incomes and is one of the largest economies in Europe with high pay levels. It is well ahead of Eastern European countries but still behind some leaders, especially the Nordic countries and Switzerland.

Gross and Net Salary

When comparing average salaries, it’s important to remember that the amounts shown are before tax and social contributions (gross). The real income a worker receives is what they get “in hand” (net), which can be very different depending on the country.

Tax rates vary across Europe: in some countries workers pay higher income tax and social contributions, while in others these are lower. For example, taxes are relatively high in Germany, so the net income can be much lower than the gross salary.

The cost of living is also important: expenses for housing, food, and services can vary a lot. So even with similar salaries, people’s real standard of living can be quite different.