Netherlands · EUR · 2026
Salaries in the Netherlands
What 32 careers pay in the Netherlands, highest first. The middle of the table sits around €68,370 a year; surgeons lead at €160,000.
| # | Career | Industry | Entry | Median | Senior | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon | Healthcare | €115k | €160,000 | €295k | €81 |
| 2 | Investment Banker | Finance | €81k | €130,000 | €440k | €66 |
| 3 | Air Traffic Controller | Aviation | €60k | €110,000 | €160k | €55.50 |
| 4 | Commercial Pilot | Aviation | €44k | €110,000 | €325k | €55.50 |
| 5 | Quantitative Analyst | Finance | €64k | €100,000 | €290k | €50.50 |
| 6 | Machine Learning Engineer | Technology | €62k | €89,000 | €185k | €45 |
| 7 | Actuary | Finance | €47k | €85,000 | €170k | €43 |
| 8 | Dentist | Healthcare | €60k | €85,000 | €145k | €43 |
| 9 | Lawyer | Legal | €55k | €75,483 | €101k | €38 |
| 10 | Accountant | Finance | €58k | €75,088 | €94k | €38 |
| 11 | Financial Analyst | Finance | €56k | €73,902 | €98k | €37.50 |
| 12 | Aerospace Engineer | Aviation | €44k | €72,000 | €105k | €36.50 |
| 13 | Data Scientist | Technology | €43k | €72,000 | €120k | €36.50 |
| 14 | Product Manager | Technology | €50k | €72,000 | €140k | €36.50 |
| 15 | DevOps Engineer | Technology | €48k | €70,000 | €120k | €35.50 |
| 16 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | €61k | €68,567 | €78k | €34.50 |
| 17 | Software Engineer | Technology | €53k | €68,370 | €84k | €34.50 |
| 18 | Cybersecurity Analyst | Technology | €40k | €67,000 | €115k | €34 |
| 19 | Project Manager | Technology | €43k | €67,000 | €105k | €34 |
| 20 | Elevator Technician | Skilled Trades | €31k | €58,000 | €86k | €29.50 |
| 21 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | €47k | €58,000 | €74k | €29.50 |
| 22 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | €44k | €54,000 | €75k | €27.50 |
| 23 | UX Designer | Technology | €38k | €54,000 | €97k | €27.50 |
| 24 | Compliance Officer | Legal | €40k | €52,000 | €100k | €26.50 |
| 25 | Electrician | Skilled Trades | €41k | €49,598 | €58k | €25 |
| 26 | Data Analyst | Technology | €33k | €48,000 | €79k | €24.50 |
| 27 | Plumber | Skilled Trades | €30k | €45,000 | €75k | €23 |
| 28 | Aircraft Mechanic | Aviation | €30k | €44,000 | €70k | €22.50 |
| 29 | Flight Attendant | Aviation | €30k | €37,000 | €57k | €18.50 |
| 30 | HVAC Technician | Skilled Trades | €30k | €35,000 | €52k | €17.50 |
| 31 | Paralegal | Legal | €30k | €33,000 | €57k | €16.50 |
| 32 | Welder | Skilled Trades | €30k | €30,000 | €65k | €15 |
Gross annual pay before tax. Hourly rates assume a standard 38-hour week. How we estimate these figures.
Working in the Netherlands
The Netherlands punches above its size: Amsterdam hosts European HQs for global tech and finance firms, and English is effectively the working language. The expat tax ruling (up to 30% of salary tax-free, falling to 27% from 2027) can significantly boost take-home pay for skilled migrants in their first years.
Tax
Three brackets in 2026: 35.75% up to €38,883, 37.56% up to €78,426 and 49.5% above that. Eligible skilled migrants can get part of their salary tax-free for up to five years under the expat ruling.
Tools and guides for the Netherlands
- Hourly to salary calculator: an hourly wage to yearly pay, with take-home pay in the Netherlands
Questions about pay in the Netherlands
What is the highest-paying job in the Netherlands?
Of the 32 careers Paygrade tracks, surgeons earn the most in the Netherlands, with a median of about €160,000 a year in 2026. Investment bankers (€130,000) and air traffic controllers (€110,000) follow.
What is the best-paid job in the Netherlands without a degree?
Air traffic controllers earn a median of about €110,000 a year in the Netherlands, and the usual route in is certification rather than a university degree.
How much tax will I pay on a salary in the Netherlands?
Three brackets in 2026: 35.75% up to €38,883, 37.56% up to €78,426 and 49.5% above that. Eligible skilled migrants can get part of their salary tax-free for up to five years under the expat ruling.