Have you ever wondered which place in the world grants you the most tees, coffees, and vacations per wage? Do you often daydream about living a life of abundance and getting paychecks that match your skills? Well, you’ve come across the blog that will give you the info to make your dreams come true!
We, too, want you to succeed and afford all the beauty life offers, so today, we’ll spill the beans on the top-paying countries with the highest average salary in the world. Helpful tip: It’s better to sit in your comfy chair because you’re about to hear of numbers that could make you dizzy!
Check out this video for a more visual presentation:
10. The Netherlands – $4,581
If making a fortune in an office feets below sea level excites you, hit the Netherlands! This fascinating European spot of breathtaking windmills and canals can fill your pockets with more than $4600!
Highest-paying professions? Try being a psychiatrist ($159,600/year), lawyer ($106,400/year), compliance officer ($126,700/year, or surgeon ($138,000/year)! And with such salaries, the costs of living are bearable. With $4,600+ a month, you’ll afford a $16 quick bite, a utility bill of $240, and a comfy one-bedroom for about $1,400 a month.
Here’s a more detailed look at the average monthly salaries in the Netherlands by profession:
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Accountant | $2,383.20 – $5,758.85 |
| Architect | $3,027.71 – $7,742.70 |
| Customer support | $2,417.13 – $4,212.75 |
| Data analyst | $3,583.72 – $6,845.72 |
| Digital marketing specialist | $2,929.35 – $5,025.96 |
| Doctor | $4,241.37 – $9,961.09 |
| Financial analyst | $3,027.83 – $7,743.02 |
| HR generalist | $3,071.46 – $5,581.59 |
| Mechanical engineer | $3,342.83 – $6,115.57 |
| Nurse | $1,924.72 – $5,580.23 |
| Receptionist | $2,058.12 – $3,971.82 |
| Software engineer | $3,768.30 – $9,554.29 |
| Waiter/waitress | $2,288.11 – $4,483.20 |
Finally, below is a table of the average yearly salaries in the Netherlands by industry:
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Mining and quarrying | $98,453.72 |
| Financial institutions | $76,852.34 |
| Electricity and gas supply | $72,179.70 |
| Information and communication | $67,309.78 |
| Other specialized business services | $62,965.45 |
| Public administration and services | $60,109.29 |
| Manufacturing | $56,027.84 |
| Water supply and waste management | $55,469.86 |
| Construction | $53,205.11 |
| Renting, buying, and selling real estate | $52,187.34 |
9. Ireland – $4,665
Welcome to the country of racehorses, music, and dance! In Ireland, you can get $50 more (or more!) for your invaluable services. That is especially true if you’re a chief financial officer ($127,800-$425,630/year), chief actuary ($148,970-$340,452/year), or sales director ($25,121-$158,997/year).
Yes, be a badass chief of sorts and white-mustache yourself with a $1.33 regular milk, sculpt your glutes at the gym for $50.47 a month, and then show it off in your newest Levi’s for $88.68!
You can find more info about the average monthly salaries in Ireland in the table below:
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Air traffic controller | $9,346.54 |
| Call center director | $12,803.36 |
| Chief executive officer | $14,187.18 |
| Country manager/director | $11,730.21 |
| Economic/financial manager | $10,221.68 |
| General laborer | $2,642.93 |
| Housekeeper | $2,483.22 |
| Lead developer | $10,537.83 |
| Nursery school teacher assistant | $2,120.04 |
| Pilot | $11,019.16 |
| Seamstress | $2,437.28 |
| Social counselor | $2,360.70 |
| Tailor | $2,330.07 |
To get a better gist of the annual earning potential in Ireland, check out the following table:
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Management | $81,969.27 |
| Leasing | $72,209.23 |
| Law & legislation | $61,893.47 |
| Journalism, printing arts & media | $45,310.58 |
| Insurance | $55,213.93 |
| Information technology | $73,832.62 |
| Human resources | $53,175.94 |
| General labor | $31,744.75 |
| Electrical & power engineering | $53,857.46 |
| Education, science & research | $47,618.77 |
8. Greenland – $4,665
Nesting yourself amidst the tundra and glaciers has never been so appealing! Greenland is among the top countries with the highest average salary in the world, and it sure deserves a place on this list.
If you can juggle big tasks, you could try your luck as a managing director ($143,266/year), director of accounting and finance ($106,257/year), or as a member of a company’s technical staff ($97,636/year). Sounds compelling? It’ll sound even better when you learn that your yearly income will cover for a $14.38 Big Mac & Coke combo, a kilo of onions worth $4.06, a $56.90 mobile data plan, and more!
Check out the average monthly salaries in the country here:
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Civil engineer designer | $5,642.16 |
| Construction engineer | $5,952.16 |
| Consultant | $5,929.66 |
| Director of accounting & finance | $8,854.75 |
| Managing director | $11,938.83 |
| Member, technical staff | $8,136.33 |
| Purchasing manager | $6,780.16 |
| Quality assistance analyst | $6,422.75 |
| Senior corporate accountant | $5,683.25 |
| Senior team lead | $6,754.33 |
| Superintendent | $6,088.91 |
| System test engineer | $7,736.91 |
| Team leader | $6,608.66 |
If you’d like to know what the yearly salaries in Greenland are in different industries, the answer lies below:
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Management | $64,508.56 |
| Marketing, advertising, PR | $44,336.04 |
| Mechanical engineering | $44,869.18 |
| Medicine & social care | $41,880.69 |
| Mining, metallurgy | $47,214.87 |
| Pharmaceutical | $49,662.30 |
| Production | $39,517.41 |
| Public administration, self-governance | $46,709.29 |
| Quality management | $47,834.21 |
| Security & protection | $41,287.01 |
7. Canada – $5,081
Ever dreamed of getting Niagara Falls dew on your fancy flat’s windows? With the country’s average monthly wage surpassing $5,000, your hydrating plans are perfectly achievable!
That is if you are a medical anesthesiologist ($391,568/year) who can snooze others safely, a cardiologist with a big heart ($386,757), or a surgeon not afraid to stitch it ($378,634). Holding one of these jobs will be more than enough for the $3.70 cappuccinos, $28.25 hourly taxi rates, and gasoline ($4.37 for a gallon).
Curious about more average Canadian salaries? Check out how other professions are paid!
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Babysitter | $1,957.69 |
| Cashier | $5,232.41 |
| Civil engineer | $4,566.10 |
| Computer engineer | $5,323.05 |
| Customer service representative | $2,533.78 |
| Data scientist | $6,051.38 |
| Doctor | $8,954.26 |
| Electrical engineer | $4,823.78 |
| Lawyer | $7,081.00 |
| Scientist | $4,829.68 |
Here’s how much you could earn if you were employed in one of the industries in the table below:
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Accounting, administration & HR | $65,474 |
| Architecture & creative arts | $58,501 |
| Banking, finance & insurance | $86,547 |
| Childcare & education | $62,658 |
| Construction & maintenance | $58,580 |
| Engineering | $117,967 |
| Food services | $42,159 |
| Healthcare, pharmaceutical & social Services | $122,983 |
| Hospitality & travel | $59,444 |
| Information technology | $95,496 |
6. Denmark – $5,642
The modern and baroque has never looked more attractive! If you want to move to Denmark, you’ll have a big salary blast as an IT and software professional ($132,816/year), thrive in the STEM industry ($130512/year), or grace the accounting and finance sector ($168,432/year).
Start earning a living there and cool yourself off with a $2.95 bottle of water, have a banana for $1.37, or rent a tennis court for $26.93/hour.
How much can you earn for providing different services in Denmark? Let’s see!
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Cashiers | $2,047.69 |
| Cleaners | $2,193.95 |
| Doctors | $5,558.02-10,238.45 |
| IT specialists | $3,656.59-5,850.54 |
| Lawyers | $5,558.02-10,238.45 |
| Managers | $2,150.08 |
| Medical staff | $2,705.88 |
| Secretaries | $3,802.85-4,022.25 |
Here are some industry-specific average yearly salaries you might want to take a look at:
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing | $78,856.19 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation activities | $77,554.56 |
| Construction | $77,083.11 |
| Financial and insurance | $114,657.95 |
| Information and communication | $98,809.72 |
| Manufacturing, mining and quarrying, and utility services | $87,581.69 |
| Other business services | $84,234.15 |
| Public administration, education, and health | $76,057.83 |
| Real estate | $79,797.68 |
| Trade and transport etc. | $72,776.59 |
5. Norway – $5,665
Norway’s emerald-green forests and beautiful fjords are worth a visit or a longer stay. Everyone there can enjoy a decent wage, from college professors ($71,670/year) to physicians ($53,760-247,931/year) and bank managers ($60,847-210,696/year).
Do you wish to transfer your wardrobe and your best self here? If so, get ready to refresh yourself with $3.03 coke, buy a square meter of your new city center flat for $6,160.07, or hit the cinema for $13.67!
In Norway, you could make some amazing ciphers a month!
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Clerical support workers | $4,137.93 |
| Craft and related trades workers | $4,074.86 |
| Elementary occupations | $3,483.99 |
| Managers | $7,265.73 |
| Managing directors and chief executives | $8,648.76 |
| Plant and machine operators and assemblers | $4,144.43 |
| Professionals | $5,563.62 |
| Service and sales workers | $3,595.30 |
| Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers | $3,758.55 |
| Technicians and associate professionals | $5,492.20 |
The average yearly income is pretty high as well.
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Accommodation and food service activities | $42,831.93 |
| Administrative and support service activities | $54,296.82 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing | $55,343.13 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | $54,430.39 |
| Construction | $58,827.12 |
| Education | $59,305.75 |
| Electricity, gas, and steam | $85,608.21 |
| Financial and insurance activities | $89,092.20 |
| Human health and social work activities | $57,669.50 |
| Information and communication | $81,155.83 |
4. Iceland – $6,441
Want to stop running in circles and see the light at the end of the financial tunnel instead? If so, you’re an Iceland person. Surgeons there know the best cut-throughs in life ($100,152-347,064/year). The judges wiggle their gavels with ease ($79,596-274,920), and lawyers handle cases with pleasure ($71,520-246,936).
If you want a future in one of the highest paying countries in the world, go to Iceland! Then, stretch yourself on the sofa of your rented one-bedroom ($1,714), and wear $148.22 Nikes or $175.50 business shoes!
Iceland is a nice place to live in, and the salaries are fantastic regardless of the profession.
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Architect | $5,483.05 |
| Chef | $2,829.02 |
| Chief executive officer | $11,082.76 |
| Computer technician | $3,616.48 |
| Corporate treasurer | $6,525.70 |
| Dentist | $11,520.23 |
| Developer / programmer | $4,469.56 |
| Electrical engineer | $4,578.93 |
| Financial analyst | $6,263.22 |
| Flight attendant | $3,186.29 |
And what about the industry-specific earnings? Let’s find out!
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Accommodation and food services | $45,935.16 |
| Construction | $57,047.04 |
| Education | $53,459.76 |
| Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply | $82,508.16 |
| Financial and insurance activities | $90,907.8 |
| Human health and social work activities | $59,234.4 |
| Information and communication | $70,521.36 |
| Manufacturing | $57,484.56 |
| Public administration and defense | $71,483.76 |
| Transportation and storage | $61,946.76 |
3. United States – $6,455
New York or NASA? Don’t lose the hope of commuting to work with the American flag as a backdrop one day! Help life grace the planet as a gynecologist ($239,200/year), invest in the population’s mental well-being as a psychiatrist ($226,800/year), or be a nurse anesthetist ($203,090/year).
Whichever high-paying path you choose, a healthy lettuce salad will cost you about $2.16. Local transportation costs about $2.50, and you’ll need about $2,420.89 for a three-bedroom outside the city center.
Does living in the US and doing your dream job pay off? Check the table below!
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Architect | $11,667 |
| Artist | $3,821 |
| Chemist | $4,995 |
| Civil engineer | $7,500 |
| Cook/chef | $3,084 |
| Copywriter | $5,833 |
| Data analyst | $6,914 |
| Doctor/physician | $16,250 |
| Economist | $9,922 |
| Graphic designer | $4,389 |
Which industries are most profitable in this country? Find your answers in the next table!
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Accounting, administration & HR | $64,024 |
| Architecture & creative arts | $58,942 |
| Banking, finance & insurance | $82,611 |
| Childcare & education | $58,667 |
| Construction & maintenance | $52,251 |
| Engineering | $99,818 |
| Food services | $44,245 |
| Healthcare, pharmaceutical & social services | $88,053 |
| Hospitality & travel | $50,914 |
| Information technology | $91,487 |
2. Luxembourg – $6,633
Castles inspire you, and you’re also into multiculturalism. Then, Luxemburg is the place to build your life in. Imagine judging everyone in the courtroom for a whopping minimum salary, even after taxes ($300,156). Or, you could be a world-class surgeon ($107,712-357,756)! And if you want a lawyer here, the trial better be worth it (up to $242,796)!
Settling in this country grants you a kilo of potatoes for $1.61, a mobile monthly plan for $19.15, and an hour of loves and 15s at an excellent tennis court for $19.63.
If you’d like to be part of the month-to-month jet-set, head to Luxembourg and start earning doing a job you enjoy!
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Academic researcher | $3,241.04 |
| Back-end developer | $9,679.24 |
| Data analyst | $5,448.95 |
| Dispatcher | $5,448.95 |
| Financial analyst | $6,538.74 |
| Industrial engineer | $6,811.19 |
| Lawyer | $8,173.43 |
| Marketing manager | $4,949.83 |
| Nurse | $5,550.30 |
| Product manager | $6,811.19 |
| System administrator | $5,948.07 |
| Teacher | $5,745.37 |
| Translator | $9,445.21 |
Get excited about entering a specific industry in this country with more info about the yearly salaries there.
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Administration | $52,950.72 |
| Arts and culture | $49,799.04 |
| Banking | $90,143.07 |
| Construction and real estate | $55,030.04 |
| Education | $71,716.90 |
| Electrical engineering | $54,846.95 |
| Finance and accounting | $67,505.95 |
| IT | $75,077.81 |
| Management | $92,797.80 |
| Mechanical engineering | $56,089.31 |
| Tourism and hospitality | $44,568.05 |
| Transportation | $59,084.05 |
1. Switzerland – $8,111
Say cheese! Switzerland is one of the best countries with the highest average salary! Polish people’s teeth white and sharp as an orthodontist ($287,978), or save lives at the operating table as a surgeon ($223,257). Or wrap up meetings on a note of progress as a CEO ($223,224)!
A loaf of fresh bread here? $3.41. The average cost of electricity, heating, and the like is $258.41. And a lovely Zara dress for when the summer joins you at the office? $60.72.
If you work in Switzerland, you’re on top of the world! Here’s why:
| Job title | Average monthly salary |
| Account manager | $8,969.84 |
| Assistant doctor | $8,214 |
| Floor layer | $5,970.13 |
| Graphic artist | $5,163.60 |
| IT process manager | $10,769.89 |
| IT supporter | $10,525.46 |
| IT system specialist | $10,982.79 |
| Jurist | $10,137.96 |
| Marketing officer | $8,495.61 |
| Nurse | $6,383.54 |
In this country, the niche you choose guarantees you a high income, as noted in the table below.
| Industry | Average yearly salary |
| Accommodation and food service | $59,638.24 |
| Administrative and support service | $72,020.07 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | $88,524.67 |
| Construction | $84,050.45 |
| Education | $115,843.09 |
| Energy supply | $110,828.18 |
| Financial and insurance activities | $125,521.46 |
| Human health and social work | $88,524.67 |
| Information and communication | $117,924.75 |
| Manufacturing | $86,997.21 |
| Professional, scientific and technical activities | $106,421.55 |
| Transportation and storage | $82,414.86 |
| Water supply, waste management | $83,523.27 |
Make Your Wishes Come True!
Living abroad takes determination. But, considering one of these destinations is worth it if you want a comfy life. In the meantime, how are your savings doing? Are you slowly stacking it up for rainy days? What about your dream of moving to a country where doing what you love pays off – thinking of any strategies to finance your goals?
If your intentions are set in stone, Pawns.app can help you realize them. Whenever you have free time, complete a paid survey or two! Or, let the app run in the background as you use your phone for something else and share your internet uninterruptedly! Pawns.app offers lots of earning opportunities, and they’ll always be just a tap away wherever you go!
FAQ
What factors influence average salaries in different countries?
The average salary rates in different countries depend on the following:
Credentials: A worker’s level of education and possession of professional certificates or licenses in a particular field can affect their salaries and more so if such credentials are labeled as advantageous by the employers.
Skills and experience: Seasoned workers in a sector tend to be better paid than those who are new. Likewise, those with more in-demand skills also have a higher chance of earning more.
Type of industry & the decisions of the employer: Different industries and employers go by different average salary standards. Also, earnings are closely tied to factors like the characteristics of the clientele, the diversity of the working conditions, and the type of training workers might be expected to undergo.
Type of tasks: Although the job descriptions for some occupations might be similar, they often fail to highlight the complexity of the individual tasks and the level of responsibility associated with them, which can contribute to the difference in salaries within similar professions.
The work dynamic in the country itself: Factors like the demand for specific types of jobs and the average costs of living within a country play a vital role in determining the salaries for those occupations.
Performance and achievements: In competitive occupational fields, only a tiny fraction of ultra-successful workers have the highest earnings. Also, some salaries are dictated by performance, so a worker’s salary might be lower or higher depending on where they fall on the spectrum between underperforming and overperforming.
How is the average salary calculated?
Average salaries, also known as mean wages, are calculated by adding the salaries of all employees in a specific group and dividing the sum by the number of workers.
How does the cost of living affect salary value?
The costs of living, which are closely related to inflation, have a significant effect on one’s quality of life. They refer to the amount of money necessary for maintaining a standard of living given the present prices for food, housing, clothing, taxes, utilities, and healthcare.
Some employers choose to adjust salaries accounting for the COL by making cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to counteract inflation. These calculations vary between employers, with some of them using the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the past year as a factor.
However, some have raised concerns about the disadvantages of continuously adjusting wages to inflation rates, stating that such practice stimulates higher inflation rates. They argue that salaries should account for employees’ productivity for the most part. Still, high inflation can make buying, saving, and paying off debts challenging.
On the other hand, some firms tend to be less focused on the increase in consumer prices, paying closer attention to input costs, the prices at which they can sell the produced goods and services, and the estimated salaries they get to pay depending on such prices.
To help companies net out prices, economists stress the importance of deflators in the salary calculation formula. A deflator is a number that rescales another number to, in this case, convert nominal wage growth into one adjusted for inflation. It’s related to the prices of materials (producer inputs), those set by manufacturers (produces outputs), those charged by service producers (services outputs), and the costs of living.
Ultimately, the effects inflation has on the costs of living are something to cater to. Discussions related to the matter should focus on how to achieve that, considering the many factors that shape employees’ financial possibilities.
How can I find job opportunities in high-paying countries?
To find a job in a high-paying country, try the following channels:
1. Networking and referrals: If you know someone who works in a high-paying country you’re interested in exploring, ask them whether they know of an open job position there or to refer you to any such future opportunities. However, make sure to talk to reliable people only to avoid any scams or dangerous situations!
2. Career websites and job boards: Companies from high-paying countries tend to post job offerings on sites like these. Some of these sites include Career Builder, Monster.com, and Indeed.
3. Company websites: If you know where you’d like to work, contact the employer through their website. And if you’d simply like to explore your options, google for jobs in your preferred country.
4. Calling the company: Some companies might not have jobs posted online, so calling or emailing them might give you a better gist of their future offerings, if any.
5. Headhunters and recruiters: Professional help in finding work is also available through foreign or native recruitment agencies and headhunters. Remember to be safe and on the watch for scams, however!
6. College internships: Many schools offer job internships abroad, so you might want to explore this opportunity.
