What is considered a good salary? European capitals compared

What makes a good salary in your country? It's not as simple as it sounds. According to Chris Chasteen, Research Director at ERI Economic Research Institute, the answer depends on factors such as where you live, your experience, education, industry, needs, and lifestyle.

Based on estimates from recruitment agencies and insights from experts, Euronews Business examines what constitutes a good salary in some European capitals.

Any salary above the average could be considered good, according to Chris Chasteen's insights shared with Euronews Business. 

Anubha Verma, in her blog on Indeed, highlights that earning an above-average salary can help you comfortably cover your basic needs while still having enough left over for personal enjoyment, such as travel and entertainment, as well as setting aside savings.

According to Talentup, a gross annual salary between €64,000 and €70,000 is considered a good salary in Germany. This translates to approximately €40,000 to €43,000 net per year or between €3,300 and €3,600 net per month for a single person. 

Salaries tend to be moderately higher in Berlin compared with other German cities when we look at various professions.

"While Berlin's cost of living has risen in recent years, it remains more affordable than other major European capital cities like London and Paris," Michael Stull, managing director at ManpowerGroup UK, told Euronews Business.

"Berlin offers mid-career white-collar professionals salaries between €40,000 and €60,000 gross per year."

HousingAnywhere reported that the net average monthly earnings in the UK were £2,297 (€2,725). In 2023, with a cost of living at £1,950 (€2,314), an average monthly net salary ranging between £2,500 (€2,962) and £3,300 (€3,915) was considered a