Same Job, Very Different Pay: Europe's Salary Gap by Role

The same job title can carry a very different salary depending on where in Europe the role is based. NewLuxJob's own job-board data shows the spread between the highest and lowest advertised pay across its listings, role by role. The gaps are wide - and for some roles, they are striking.

Tech and Professional Roles

For software developers, Germany leads at 65,000 EUR per year while Czechia sits at 36,658 EUR - a gap of 77%. Engineers see a sharper divide: Germany tops out at 70,000 EUR against Czechia's 26,069 EUR, a gap of 169% according to NewLuxJob's engineer salary data.

Data analysts show a smaller spread - Germany at 61,450 EUR versus Czechia at 36,702 EUR, a 67% gap. Consultants see Germany reaching 53,128 EUR compared to France at 30,500 EUR, a 74% difference.

Finance, Sales, and Marketing

Finance is the closest-run race in NewLuxJob's listings. The finance salary comparison shows Germany highest at 48,500 EUR and the Netherlands lowest at 45,300 EUR - a gap of just 7%, unusually tight across the roles covered here.

Sales is the opposite story. Sales roles in the Netherlands reach 42,420 EUR while Czechia lists them at 12,414 EUR - a gap of 242%, the widest across the roles in this data. Marketing follows a similar pattern: 46,900 EUR in Germany against 17,876 EUR in Czechia, a 162% gap. Accountant and auditor roles show Germany at 50,200 EUR and Czechia at 17,822 EUR, a gap of 182%.

Trades: Electricians, Welders, and Mechanics

Skilled trades are not exempt from the divide. Electricians earn up to 40,650 EUR in the Netherlands and as little as 19,118 EUR in Czechia - a 113% gap. Welders range from 39,600 EUR in the Netherlands down to 17,380 EUR in Czechia, a 128% gap. Mechanics show a 97% gap: 36,120 EUR in Germany versus 18,373 EUR in Czechia. Construction trades run from 31,777 EUR in Germany to 15,493 EUR in Czechia, a 105% spread.

Healthcare, Hospitality, and Care

The gaps in care and service roles are some of the sharpest. Nurses and healthcare workers in Germany can expect 46,905 EUR; the same role in Czechia lists at 16,138 EUR - a 191% gap. Security roles range from 40,920 EUR in Germany to 12,414 EUR in Czechia, a 230% difference.

In hospitality, cooks and chefs see Germany at 31,752 EUR and Czechia at 13,159 EUR, a 141% gap. Waiting and hospitality roles reach 28,728 EUR in the Netherlands versus 13,655 EUR in Czechia, a 110% spread. Cleaning roles show the Netherlands at 27,359 EUR and Czechia at 11,123 EUR, a gap of 146%.

How to Use This Before You Apply

These figures come directly from NewLuxJob's live job listings, not from national statistics offices, so they reflect what employers are actively advertising. For most roles covered here, Germany or the Netherlands appears at the top of the pay range, while Czechia frequently appears at the lower end.

If you are comparing opportunities across borders, the NewLuxJob salary compare pages let you check the spread for your specific role before you decide where to apply.