What's the average salary in the Netherlands in 2026?

Get insider details on average and good salaries, taxes, and top-paying jobs in the Netherlands—perfect for young expats and students planning a move.

Ivandzhelin

9 minute read

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Updated on 16 Sep 2026

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Working

The average salary in the Netherlands is €3,541 gross a month, one of the highest in the EU.

High salaries are one of the pros of living in the Netherlands. With an average salary of €3,541, The Netherlands is one of the European countries with the highest salaries. In fact, the country's average is higher than the EU average of €39,808. For most people, the big question is whether that salary is enough to cover your monthly cost of living in the Netherlands.

• Students & part-time workers: the minimum wage is €14.99/hour for anyone 21 or older (as of 1 July 2026). Under-21 workers earn a set percentage of that, based on age.
• Graduates & young professionals: entry-level salaries typically start between €2,800 and €3,500 gross monthly, and climb quickly with experience.
• Anyone budgeting for a move: a good salary in the Netherlands falls between €3,333 and €5,000 gross monthly, comfortably covering the €2,851 average cost of living.
• Anyone comparing job offers: after tax, the average salary drops to about €3,384, with tax rates of 35.75% or 49.50% depending on how much you earn.
• Job seekers: software engineers, doctors, and pilots sit at the top of the pay scale, while hospitality and retail roles sit at the bottom.

The gross average salary in the Netherlands is €3,541 annually (or €3,748 monthly). In 2026, the average salary is projected to reach €48,834. The average salary is useful for expats planning on working in the Netherlands as it provides a good idea of where your Dutch salary will fit.

The average income in the Netherlands is based on projections by the Centraal Planbureau (CPB), considering the 6% minimum wage increase in 2024 through collective labor agreements between the private sector and the government. The Dutch government uses these projections to plan its annual budget for welfare programs and tax cuts.

Gross salary (brutoloon) is the number stated in your contract, before any deductions. Net salary (nettoloon) is what actually lands in your bank account, after income tax, national insurance contributions, and pension deductions come out. Job ads and contracts almost always list the gross figure, so calculate your net take-home pay before agreeing to any offer.

Your gross pay gets reduced by:

• Income tax (box 1): 35.75% up to €78,426 a year, and 49.50% above it.
• National insurance contributions: fund your state pension (AOW), long-term care (WLZ), and survivor benefits (ANW). These are bundled into the tax rates above, not deducted separately.
• Healthcare insurance (Zvw): paid as your own monthly health insurance premium, not deducted from your payslip.
• Pension contributions: many employers deduct a percentage of your salary if you're enrolled in a workplace pension scheme.

For a full breakdown of how Dutch income tax works and how it affects your take-home pay, see our dedicated guide.

What's the average salary after tax in the Netherlands?

After taxes, the average salary in the Netherlands is €3,384 annually. As a Dutch tax resident, you can be taxed at a 35.75% or 49.50% tax rate, depending on whether you make more than €78,426 annually.

While Dutch taxes are high, you also get a lot of tax credits or labor discounts, which lessen the burden of the taxes. Check out our guide to Dutch taxes to learn more.

You can use the KVK income tax calculator to calculate your own income.

A good salary in the Netherlands falls between €3,333 and €5,000 gross monthly (or €40,000 and €60,000 annually). After taxes, this is between €2,810 and €3,675 monthly. Considering that the cost of living in the Netherlands is €2,851, this is a good income as it will allow you to cover your expenses and build some savings.

If you’re worried about rent eating up your budget, you might want to see if you can get huurtoeslag (rent allowance) to lower your housing costs.

€3,000 gross a month sits just under that range, but it's still workable if you're not living in Amsterdam or Utrecht. Cost of living drops significantly outside the biggest cities, so €3,000 stretches further in Groningen or Enschede than in the capital.

The minimum wage in the Netherlands is €14.99 per hour for employees 21 or older, working 40 hours a week, as of 1 July 2026. That's up from €14.71 in January 2026. On a monthly basis, the statutory minimum wage works out to roughly €2,295 to €2,338, depending on the exact date and hours agreed in your contract.

How much you earn per month depends on the hours you work. If you're working part-time, multiply your hours by the hourly minimum wage for your age. Let's say you're 23 years old and worked 96 hours in May. You multiply 96 hours x €14.99, the current minimum wage for your age. You'll earn €1,439.04 in the month of May. Budgeting is especially important on minimum wage, so check out budgeting for life in the Netherlands and check rent allowance eligibility if you’re renting on a tight budget.

What's the minimum wage for students and workers under 21?

The Dutch minimum wage rises with age until you turn 21, which matters if you're a student taking on a part-time or side job. Here are the hourly rates from 1 July 2026:

At 20 hours a week, a 20-year-old earns roughly €960 a month at the current €11.99 hourly rate, while a 21-year-old earns about €1,200 at €14.99 an hour. Always check your payslip against the rate for your exact age, since employers are legally required to pay at least this amount.

Entry-level and graduate roles in the Netherlands typically start between €2,800 and €3,500 gross a month for 0 to 2 years of experience. Some sectors, like banking and tech, run graduate traineeships that start closer to €3,100 to €4,200 a month.

Your age plays a significant role in how much you earn. In the Netherlands, people between 15 and 25 have the lowest average income of €19,200 annually, while the highest average income is earned by the age group 45 to 55, whose average salary is €72,100 annually. Those between 25 and 35 earn €55,800 annually. With €28,400 annually, people aged 65 or older have a lower income as the state pension age in the Netherlands is 67.

The level of education also influences earnings. In the Netherlands, there are 2 types of universities: academic universities and universities of applied sciences. People with a degree from an academic university (WO) earn between €30,456 and €41,472 per year. Those who graduated from a university of applied sciences (HBO) earn between €28,512 and €34,344 on average.

Most Dutch employers apply a fixed annual raise on top of promotions, set through your sector's CAO (collective labor agreement). Ask about your CAO scale during your job interview so you know exactly how your salary is expected to grow.

Before you sign your Dutch employment contract, knowing what people in your sector or similar field earn is good. This way, you can ensure you agree to a competitive and fair salary. Below are the salary ranges of some popular professions in the Netherlands.

Highest-paying jobs in the Netherlands

Some sectors in the Netherlands have higher salaries than others. This is because of many reasons, including the complexity of the profession, the professional training required, or the demand for employees in the field. Below, you can see a list of some of the best-paid jobs in the Netherlands:

• Accountant: €94,560
• Dermatologist: €99,960
• Lawyer: €78,600
• Pilot: €155,280
• Neurosurgeon: €99,960
• Clinical chemistry researcher: €210,000

One of the biggest factors affecting your average salary in the Netherlands is the city you work in. While the average salary in Amsterdam is €3,950 annually, you'll earn €3,567 in Groningen. Below, you can compare the average salaries in the bigger Dutch cities.

While the Netherlands is a very progressive country, there continues to be a gender pay gap. This means that women earn, on average, €1.60 less than men for the same hours worked. According to the latest statistics, women earn on average €27.15 per hour, whereas men make €30.32. The gender pay gap is getting smaller in education, and is even as small as 1 euro cent in public administration. Meanwhile, in large businesses, 85 percent of women still earn less than men.

Dutch salaries rank among the highest in the EU, but they're not the top earner in the region. Here's how the Netherlands compares to its closest neighbors:

Germany and Belgium post higher gross averages, but the Netherlands makes up ground through generous tax credits, a lower cost of living outside Amsterdam, and strong tenant protections that keep your housing costs predictable once you've landed a job.

Research your CAO salary scale before your interview. Most sectors in the Netherlands are covered by a collective labor agreement that sets minimum and maximum pay per role and experience level, so you'll know your negotiating range in advance.

Ask about the 8% holiday allowance and any 13th-month bonus separately from your base salary. Dutch employers list gross monthly salary in job ads, but your total package usually includes these extras on top.

Negotiate benefits beyond salary if the base number is fixed. Extra vacation days, remote work flexibility, or a public transport allowance are common trade-offs at Dutch companies, especially at scale-ups and multinationals.

Factor in the 30% ruling if you qualify as a skilled migrant. It lets eligible employees receive up to 30% of their salary tax-free for a set period, which can significantly boost your net income when comparing job offers.

Now that you know how much the average salary in the Netherlands is, you're ready to accept that job offer and start planning your move. Once you’ve got a job, you’ll want to set up a bank account for your salary and organize all the admin. Compare your target city's rent against your new salary with our Rent Index, then book your room, studio, or apartment before you land, thanks to HousingAnywhere's 100% online process. Every landlord is ID-verified, and your first month's rent stays protected under Tenant Protection until 48 hours after you move in, so both your budget and your moving day are covered. Check out your Netherlands arrival checklist to know what items you shouldn't forget for your move!

From abroad? If you're moving to the Netherlands from the US, see our guide for Americans on what to arrange before you move.

Is €3,000 a month a good salary in the Netherlands? €3,000 gross a month sits just under the €3,333-€5,000 "good salary" range, but it's workable outside the most expensive cities. Cost of living drops significantly outside Amsterdam and Utrecht, so €3,000 stretches further in Groningen or Enschede.

How much can international students earn from a part-time job? It depends on your age and hours worked. At 20 hours a week, a 20-year-old earns roughly €960 a month at the current €11.99 hourly rate, while a 21-year-old earns about €1,200 a month at €14.99 an hour.

Is salary in the Netherlands paid over 12 or 13 months? Most Dutch employers pay your base salary over 12 months, plus an 8% holiday allowance and often a 13th-month bonus paid out in December. Check whether a job ad's gross figure already includes these extras before comparing offers.

What is the 30% ruling, and how does it affect my take-home pay? The 30% ruling is a Dutch tax break for eligible skilled migrants, letting them receive up to 30% of their gross salary tax-free for a set period. Check your eligibility with your employer, since it can significantly boost your net income.

Do salaries in the Netherlands increase automatically each year? Many sectors adjust pay annually through CAO negotiations, on top of individual raises tied to performance reviews. Check your sector's CAO to see the standard raise schedule for your role.