If you've made it this far, chances are you have the plan, the idea, or the desire to set off for a new life in Europe. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 20 of the highest-paying jobs in Europe. If you’re just starting out, take note, and if you’re a senior, see if you can spot your specialisation!
Remember that some roles may fit into multiple categories because of the overlap of technologies and skills across industries. This list offers a general categorisation based on the role's primary focus. In addition, so that you can read the blog more fluently, we’ll pick out the average salaries in both the UK and Germany so you can get a better idea of pay differences. .
Tech-related jobs are a priority in Europe
There is a high demand for tech talent in various sectors of the European market. Job growth is vigorous and has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Skilled non-EU citizens can definitely find opportunities in European tech. Visa processes and regulations can be complex, but a talent shortage in areas such as data science, cybersecurity, and cloud computing creates fast-tracked pathways for qualified individuals.
Most countries such as Germany, Netherlands, and Ireland have also implemented programs specifically to attract international tech talent. Okay — let’s see which opportunities are out there for devs and IT workers in Europe.
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Software development and engineering
- Senior Software Architect: You’ll design and develop software solutions for various organisations. Even as a non-EU citizen, being a Senior Software Architect in Europe offers exciting prospects: high demand, competitive pay and diverse environments.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £102,763 | 🇩🇪 €81,500 | Jobs →
- Software Engineering Manager: It's the backbone of software development, guiding teams to deliver high-quality products on time and within budget. This role demands a blend of technical expertise, leadership, and people management skills that are both challenging and rewarding (and not just from a cash perspective).
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £91,706 | 🇩🇪 €96,000 | Jobs →
- Mobile App Developer: It consists of creating and maintaining software applications for smartphones and tablets. The mobile app industry is growing fast, creating many job opportunities and offering competitive salaries.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £34,779 | 🇩🇪 €58,500 | Jobs →
- Full-Stack Developer: As a Full-Stack Dev, your role includes both front-end and back-end coding, allowing you to work on all aspects of web application development. This includes creating user interfaces, implementing server-side logic and working on integrations. Full-stack skills are highly sought-after.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £47,916 | 🇩🇪 €60,000 | Jobs →
- Frontend Developer: A frontend dev is responsible for translating design mock-ups into functional and visually appealing interfaces for users to interact with. They use programming languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to frame user experiences.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £43,433 | 🇩🇪 €55,000 | Jobs →
- DevOps Engineer: DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development and operations for software delivery. They possess both technical expertise and operational understanding, automating processes, deploying applications and monitoring performance.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £48,474 | 🇩🇪 €65,800 | Jobs →
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Data and AI
- Data Scientist: The job involves working with large datasets, employing statistical techniques and using machine learning algorithms to uncover patterns, trends, and correlations. European data science offers promising prospects for skilled individuals, regardless of nationality. Demand is high, with competitive salaries and worthwhile work across industries.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £47,930 | 🇩🇪 €70,172 | Jobs →
- Machine Learning Engineer: MLEs are responsible for designing intelligent systems that use data and algorithms to solve complex problems in various fields. This role requires technical expertise and creative problem-solving skills.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £64,986 | 🇩🇪 €65,000 | Jobs →
- Big Data Engineer: They handle the ever-growing data supply, building and maintaining infrastructure to extract valuable insights. The work involves technical complexities in distributed systems and data processing, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £46,324 | 🇩🇪 €70,000
- AI Engineer: Being an AI Engineer involves developing and implementing artificial intelligence solutions to solve complex problems. As an AI Engineer, you would work with machine learning algorithms, deep learning models and other AI techniques to create intelligent systems that can analyse data, learn from it and make informed decisions.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £56,242 | 🇩🇪 €70,000
- Database Administrator: The primary responsibility of a database administrator generally focuses on the technical aspects of maintaining and securing databases, ensuring performance and uptime. Most database administration tools and procedures fall under the umbrella of IT infrastructure management.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £46,713 | 🇩🇪 €59,000
Cloud and infrastructure
- Cloud Architect: Being a Cloud Architect involves designing, implementing and managing cloud-based solutions for organisations. Europe faces a significant shortage of skilled cloud professionals, and the skills required for cloud architects are in high demand across various industries, including finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Even cloud vendors might request your help.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £84,577 | 🇩🇪 €78,822
- Information Systems Security Engineer: ISSEs protect digital assets and systems from online threats. With technical expertise and strategic thinking, they build a stable security architecture, detect and respond to intrusions and ensure compliance with regulations. This role is typically featured on “there’s a shortage of” lists. Still, the stakes are very high, so it’s only for ice-cold professionals.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £61,727 | 🇩🇪 €60,259 | Jobs →
Emerging technologies
- Internet of Things (IoT) Solution Architect: As an IoT Solution Architect, your role would involve designing and implementing IoT solutions. Governments with budgets for “innovation” or “city tech,” for example, could hire you to make traffic lights connected to the internet.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £76,935 | 🇩🇪 €80,000
- Blockchain Engineer: As a Blockchain Engineer, you would work on developing and implementing blockchain solutions for various industries and applications. Of all the roles outlined in this article, this is definitely the most unstable — but the rewards could be worth it.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £59,154 | 🇩🇪 €79,000
Non-technology roles
The European job market also provides various opportunities for skilled non-EU citizens in non-tech roles. However, thorough research is key. While Product Management and International Sales benefit from multilingual skills, Management Consulting and Investment Banking face stiffer competition. These are some highest-paying jobs for non-EU citizens:
Business and management
- Product Manager: Product Managers act as the user's voice, leading the development and growth of digital products. They bridge the gap between business goals, user needs, and technical feasibility. Someone with a track record working as a product manager in any country will be considered for this role.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £60,458 | 🇩🇪 €65,000 | Jobs →
- Management Consultant: Management Consultants act as strategic advisors, helping organisations improve their performance. Consulting firms are typically very, very global, even if their HQs are in the United States, so this job is likely to accept non-EU citizens, provided paperwork is sorted out first. The salaries here are lowballed toward beginners. Consulting partners take home considerably bigger cuts.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £50,000 | 🇩🇪 €62,779
- Investment Banker: Investment Bankers act as financial matchmakers. They must operate in a high-pressure environment driven by deal-making and trading short-term. Cities such as London, Geneva, Frankfurt, Zurich, and Luxembourg are deemed financial capitals, and investment bankers with careers in other big markets, such as Hong Kong or Mumbai, could certainly land a job in Europe with good pay. The salaries we show here might be a starting point…
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £64,500 | 🇩🇪 €79,000
Sales and marketing
- International Sales Manager: The European sales market has a growing demand for multilingual professionals with cultural understanding. Companies are increasingly looking to expand their reach into new markets, and international sales managers can make it happen. If you coincidentally have sales experience in the territory the company wants to expand in, then you've hit the jackpot, since you could easily win a race against a European candidate. Remember that sales roles are typically compensated with variable pay.
Avg. salary: 🇬🇧 £48,814 | 🇩🇪 €59,726
Mechanical engineering
- Aeronautical Engineer: As an Aeronautical Engineer, you would design, develop and maintain aircraft and spacecraft. Your role would include various engineering aspects, including aerodynamics, materials science, propulsion systems and structural design. These are the same tasks you’d have to handle anywhere in the world. But the Benelux region is known for its aviation and aeronautics sector, which means there’s a considerable job market there.
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