A good salary can vary widely depending on an individual's profession, education, and personal expectations. Euronews Business takes a closer look at what constitutes a good salary across major European capitals.
ADVERTISEMENTWhat makes a good salary in your country? It's not as simple as it sounds. According to Chris Chasteen, Research Director at ERI Economic Research Institute, the answer depends on factors such as where you live, your experience, education, industry, needs, and lifestyle.
Based on estimates from recruitment agencies and insights from experts, Euronews Business examines what constitutes a good salary in some European capitals.
Any salary above the average could be considered good, according to Chris Chasteen's insights shared with Euronews Business.
Anubha Verma, in her blog on Indeed, highlights that earning an above-average salary can help you comfortably cover your basic needs while still having enough left over for personal enjoyment, such as travel and entertainment, as well as setting aside savings.
Berlin offers mid-career white-collar professionals between €40,000 and €60,000 gross per year
According to Talentup, a gross annual salary between €64,000 and €70,000 is considered a good salary in Germany. This translates to approximately €40,000 to €43,000 net per year or between €3,300 and €3,600 net per month for a single person.
Salaries tend to be moderately higher in Berlin compared with other German cities when we look at various professions.
"While Berlin's cost of living has risen in recent years, it remains more affordable than other major European capital cities like London and Paris," Michael Stull, managing director at ManpowerGroup UK, told Euronews Business.
"Berlin offers mid-career white-collar professionals salaries between €40,000 and €60,000 gross per year."
Mid-career professionals in London typically earn between £50,000 (€59,455) and £70,000 (€83,235) gross per year
HousingAnywhere reported that the net average monthly earnings in the UK were £2,297 (€2,725). In 2023, with a cost of living at £1,950 (€2,314), an average monthly net salary ranging between £2,500 (€2,962) and £3,300 (€3,915) was considered a good salary in the UK.
Given that the median gross weekly earnings in London was higher 23% higher than the UK average according to the ONS, a good salary in the capital should be at least between €3,643 and €4,815. However, this should be between €3,922 and €5,183 in Inner London, which comprises of the City of London and 13 boroughs.
As salaries vary significantly depending on the sector, Michael Stull provided a broad range. "A good, representative white-collar gross salary for a mid-career professional in London typically falls between £50,000 (€59,455) and £70,000 (€83,235) per year," he said.
A good salary for a comfortable life in France is around €3,200 per month for a single person
As of 2024, the average net monthly salary in France is €2,587, while the median salary is €1,940, according to HousingAnywhere. Typically, a good salary for a comfortable life in France is around €3,200 per month for a single person or €5,600 per month for a family of three.
However, due to the higher cost of living in Paris, you'll need approximately €3,400 per month to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in the capital.
A good monthly net salary in Spain is estimated to be around €2,700 for a single person
According to HousingAnywhere, the average net salary in Spain in 2024 is €1,785 per month, or €2,250 gross. For a comfortable life, a good monthly net salary in Spain is estimated to be around €2,700 for a single person or €4,000 for someone supporting a family.
Given that the average salary in Madrid is 18% higher than the national average, a good monthly net salary in the capital for a single person should be at least €3,185.
ADVERTISEMENT"A mid-career professional in Madrid can reasonably expect to earn between €35,000 and €55,000 gross per year," ManpowerGroup's Stull said.
"While lower than in London or Paris, this range aligns with the city's more moderate cost of living."
A gross salary ranging between €4,100 and €6,000 per month is considered good for a comfortable life in Ireland
In Ireland, a gross salary ranging between €4,100 and €6,000 per month is considered good for a comfortable life, according to Instarem.
The gross average salary for full-time workers in the country is €3,220 per month.
ADVERTISEMENTRome's salaries lag behind northern European cities
According to ManpowerGroup, a good salary for a mid-career white-collar worker is typically in the range of €35,000 to €50,000 gross annually. "Salaries in Rome are generally lower compared to Northern European cities, but this is partially balanced by a lower cost of living," Stull said.
A good gross salary in Rome typically ranges between €3,750 and €5,690, according to Salary Explorer.
Salary Explorer provides estimates of a good gross monthly salary for other capitals as follows:
- Athens: €2,250-€3,410.
- Helsinki: €4,510-€6,830
- Copenhagen: €5,400-€8,180.
- Stockholm: €3,900-€5,900.
ADVERTISEMENT"Consider total compensation, not just salary"
A "good salary" isn't just about the base pay. "Consider the entire compensation package, including bonuses, stock options, health insurance, pension contributions, paid leave, and other perks," said Michael Stull.
"In some cases, these benefits can make a lower base salary more attractive."
Pawel Adrjan, head of EMEA research at the Indeed Hiring Lab also underlined that the world is navigating through a historic 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 UK," he told Euronews Business.
Greater salary satisfaction in northern and western EU Countries
The European Commission's Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy's 2023 Survey on the Quality of Life in European Cities reveals significant variations in household financial satisfaction across the EU.
ADVERTISEMENTThe share of people satisfied with their household's financial situation ranges from 39% in Athens to 87% in Luxembourg. Satisfaction is generally higher in cities located in northern and western EU countries.
