Average salary in Europe: country ranking 2026

What are the average salaries in the European Union? The differences between Member States are significant, making international salary comparisons particularly interesting. The latest Eurostat data provide a better understanding of differences in income levels across European countries.

For a current comparison, it is useful to look at data from Eurostat. The table below shows average annual gross salaries on a full-time adjusted basis. Countries are ranked in descending order by average income.

📊 EU average: Average income in the European Union amounts to €39,800 gross per year. The data are based on the Eurostat Average full-time adjusted salary per employee indicator.

Luxembourg's leading position is particularly striking: at around €82,969 gross per year, the average annual gross income is more than twice the EU average.

Denmark and Ireland are also clearly above the European average. They are followed by Belgium and Austria. For employees considering working in another European country, the table therefore highlights significant differences between labour markets.

For the Franco-German labour market, the difference is particularly interesting:

• Germany: sectors and regions"): €57,408
• France: €43,356
• EU average: €39,800

The average salary in Germany is therefore around 30% higher than in France. Both countries are also above the European average.

However, these figures should not be confused with the actual net salary received. Taxes, social security contributions, working hours, the share of part-time employment and the cost of living can have a significant impact on a person's actual financial situation.

Differences in income cannot be explained by a single factor. Several elements play a role, including:

• productivity and economic performance
• the sectoral structure of each economy
• the proportion of highly qualified workers and managers
• working hours and the share of part-time employment
• collective bargaining agreements and salary structures
• taxes and social security contributions
• regional differences within individual countries
• the cost of living

A high gross salary therefore does not automatically mean proportionally higher purchasing power. Between countries where price levels differ significantly, the gap in disposable income may be considerably smaller.

An average can provide a first indication of salary levels in a country, but it does not show precisely how much a typical employee actually has available.

The difference between the average and the median is also important. Very high incomes can push up the arithmetic average. Median income, by contrast, represents the income level located exactly in the middle of the distribution.

To assess a labour market more comprehensively, it is therefore important to consider not only average gross salary, but also net salary, purchasing power, the cost of living and median income.

📌 Good to know: The full-time adjusted average salary is particularly useful for international comparisons, but it should not be interpreted as the typical salary of an individual employee. Region, occupation, sector, professional experience and qualifications can lead to significant differences.

Find out more:

• Minimum wage in Europe: country ranking
• Careers in France: Guide for international professionals
• Sales salaries in France and Germany

Olivier Geslin