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.

Data-Driven Developer Resume to Get Interviews →

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 →

How to Find Unadvertised (Developer) Jobs →

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

The Art of Relocating Tech Talent Post-Pandemic →

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.

Avg. salary: £41,000 | €62,500

Companies need developers, but there aren’t enough qualified people in most countries. This tech talent shortage means big opportunities for software engineers — especially those that are willing to work remote jobs or relocate.

Software engineer job boards

Let’s have a look at 11 developer-focused job boards and see what sets them apart. These platforms are some of the best options for software engineers seeking job opportunities.

Since you’re already familiar with the popular sites like LinkedIn and Indeed – we’re going to skip them and instead focus on niche sites for tech professionals.

We’ve included sites from various regions around the world to bring you coverage in many major markets, such as Western and Eastern Europe, North America, Australia, South Africa, or Southeast Asia. Some offer remote or contract positions, while others focus on hiring local developers from the regions the company has their HQ in. Let’s explore them in detail. 

1. Relocate.me

If you’re a software engineer seeking employment, you’ve probably noticed that many job postings in the US and Europe exclude international job applicants. They filter out anyone who doesn’t have a visa or isn’t in the company’s timezone. If you are applying for jobs aboard, you want to filter out these job ads to focus only on companies that will take your application seriously (and not waste your time!).

Relocate.me is the best software engineer job board for tech workers who are looking for a job overseas. The jobs that are posted on this site are exclusively from tech companies that want to hire international candidates. The companies on this board offer relocation support — which is arguably the best possible scenario an international candidate could hope for.

To help you make well-informed decisions about potential moves, the site also provides details of the cities and countries tied to job opportunities. The platform even offers a net salary calculator to determine how much you’ll be making abroad.

Exploring IT jobs with relocation packages on the site is a good place to start. But, if that’s too steep of a starting point, you can always read the stories from fellow techies who successfully relocated.

Getting a Tech Job Abroad: 5 Simple Steps →

2. Honeypot

Honeypot is often named alongside software engineer job boards, although it’s not technically a job board. Regardless, the site can still help you get that software engineer job. Through a “reverse-hiring” process, this platform connects developers with tech companies in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain. If you apply to Honeypot (not to a job), they will interview you, and if you carry through, companies in Europe will have access to your profile and can reach out and invite you to interviews.

Since Honeypot vets you and recommends you directly to hiring managers, you can always try their services while you search for a job elsewhere. Of course, there are some downsides. It has limited reach. If you’re seeking employment outside Europe, then Honeypot isn’t the best option for you. Additionally, like many recruitment platforms, local tech workers are the priority. So if you’re already living and working in the DACH region, you’ll have an edge over other candidates on the platform.

3. Lemon.io

Lemon.io presents itself as “the exclusive community of startup sidekicks”. It’s a tech talent marketplace and job platform that hooks up early-stage startups with vetted offshore engineers. The platform has a strong presence in Eastern Europe and collaborates with startups from the US and Europe.

The board doesn’t charge any fees for programmers and offers rates that are above the market average. They’re all about honesty and going the extra mile by helping developers write CVs, showing their talents, and giving you interview advice.

This is a site for senior or highly skilled devs. So Lemon may not be an ideal fit for juniors or those looking for more entry-level work. 

Moving to Estonia for an IT Job: Artem’s Relocation Story →

4. WeAreDevelopers

WeAreDevelopers is a software engineering job platform with job opportunities from companies across Europe. Their primary focus on Europe — particularly Germany, Austria and surrounding regions — it could limit your options if you’re located outside their core area.

The board allows you to filter your search by skill, location, seniority level, language (only English or German) and job title. You should also consider that WAD’s board primarily features roles in software development, potentially overlooking opportunities in niche tech sectors or related fields such as cybersecurity.

5. OfferZen

OfferZen is a job board focused on software engineering, founded in 2015 and headquartered in  Cape Town, South Africa. They operate in South Africa and the Netherlands.

Like other ones we’ve reviewed, the platform takes a particular approach to recruitment by flipping the conventional model. Instead of devs applying for jobs, companies on OfferZen send interview requests to developers, providing upfront role, tech stack and salary information. It’s a passive job-search system.

Quickly into your registration process, OfferZen assigns a representative to help you land the job you have in mind. This middle-person model, in all honesty, sounds like an excellent idea if it’s correctly carried out. It would mean that OfferZen would help you reach only the companies that will likely say “Yes” to your profile, or that you’ll be able to tweak your CV so that the target company will love it.

OfferZen seems to work best for experienced developers or those at the mid-senior level.

How to Write Job Descriptions That Attract Tech Talent →

6. Dice

Dice, probably one of the longest-standing job boards for software engineers on this list, has been online for thirty years now. Plenty of developers claim they used it for both jobs and gigs dating back to the dot-com era. It’s quite a famous platform in the United States because it might have been one of the first to help software developers get a job online.

According to official figures, Dice has millions of registered applicants. This could seem good news at first. But many users who once caught gigs or jobs on Dice now say that the millions of ads and applicants don’t help. Its users also frequently face a lot of spam and job offers that miss the mark. This is often due to staffing firms making an effort to fill vacancies and earn commissions, resulting in users being bombarded with calls and emails.

Also, the platform is pretty insistent about asking for professional references — which newcomers to the job market might lack.

How to Find Unadvertised (Developer) Jobs →

7. Tech in Asia Jobs

Tech in Asia is an English-language platform connecting jobseekers with tech job opportunities in Asia. It was founded relatively recently. Their listings cover some roles beyond IT and software development, like product management, marketing, design and more. Most of their roles are remote or in Indonesia, but they also offer positions in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, or Vietnam.

8. SEEK

SEEK is easily Australia’s top job platform. It is known for having the most extensive listings for the Australian market, including a sizable tech niche. Still, it’s often called out because its core features lack the targeted filtering some employers prefer, potentially downplaying your particular profile or sharing offers that don’t align with a software engineer. For example, a quick job search for “software engineer” positions on the site first results in aviation engineering roles. It’s up to the user to scroll down until they find the tech and niche they want. The interface might also feel outdated compared to newer platforms.

SEEK also has a review system for companies (like Glassdoor), these are based on user reviews. This is an excellent feature for newcomers to the tech market who don’t have word-of-mouth buzz about this or that company. 

Check out its Asian version: Jobstreet →

9. Landing.jobs

If you quickly scan through their listings, you’ll think Landing.jobs is a job board that only lists work-from-home, remote roles. However, the company pledges to help devs get a job from wherever they are and wherever the job is — meaning they’ll feature relocation options if those are good enough. So, considering this is their policy, it’s likely that you’ll also come across in-person jobs now and then.

They have the distinct bonus of featuring plenty of Portuguese-speaking jobs in Brazil and Portugal, and some English-speaking jobs in Portugal as well. This is a good niche to explore since many devs are compelled to move to the Iberian coast due to its great weather, low prices and easy-going tax system.

10. X-Team

X-Team is not a traditional job board where you search and apply directly for open positions. Instead, it works by recruiting developers and then partnering with tech clients to provide outsourced development teams.

Based on online testimonials, the developer rate at X-Team—what clients pay—typically ranges between $40 and $50 per hour per person. Projects typically span around ten months, with developers expected to commit to a standard workload of 160 hours per month. 

X-Team doesn’t offer paid vacation time. If you work with them, you’ll be a full-time contractor, and you’ll need to take care of your taxes. Keep in mind that X-Team’s entry process is very selective, focusing on senior developers with strong technical skills.

How to Negotiate a Developer Salary While Searching for a Job Abroad →

11. Arc.dev

Among the best job sites for software engineers, Arc.dev is one of the fastest-growing. It’s a platform designed for software engineers, with a primary focus on tech jobs within North America. The site uses AI technology to match developers with companies offering permanent, remote full-time roles. 

Arc.dev is meant for frontend, backend, full stack, mobile, data engineering, DevOps and a few other roles. They pick candidates through a vetting process. To get featured for full-time gigs, you’ll need mid-level to senior experience and pass a quick video interview to show your English communication skills and verify your tech abilities. Even if you’re new to the field, you can still use Arc.dev for freelance opportunities, explore remote jobs, and build your resume. Most of the jobs are full-time, but Arc.dev also offers Arc Freelance and Fast Apply jobs to certain developers, with a different vetting process.

The future is tech, but where will this future be created?

While the long-term effects of COVID have revolutionised work cultures, work hybridity and the meaning of work welfare, it cannot be ignored that many job seekers still want to live and work in vibrant cities and exciting metropolitan areas. As per Business Insider, in August of 2021 “urban population growth was steady across all metropolitan areas…migration from cities “has largely ceased” and urban occupancy is rebounding.” The workforce movement trends that dominated 2020 – people leaving urban areas – seem to have come to a halt and are starting to reverse. 

This has significant implications for employers looking at hiring tech talent. Cities remain attractive locations for the highly skilled, in-demand and we have confused their desire for remote work to mean de-urbanisation, when it really meant a desire to work flexibly, within urban locations. 

How Remote Work Helps Relocate Workers

Pre-pandemic, relocating talent was a slow, linear process, and the precedent was that new employee relocation occurs prior to a formal start date, and only once settled does the employee start work. In our post-pandemic new normal, both the culture within companies who engage in relocating talent, and the expectations of those workers who are relocated, are now dominated by one defining thing: remote work first.

Remote work offers your new employee the chance to start working with you immediately. In doing so they gain familiarity with the team and tools, make earlier contributions to team objectives, improving morale and building trust with new colleagues. The market now offers many excellent services for onboarding, collaboration, international payroll and more, which makes personnel integration –  and eventual relocating of talent – an easy, and stress-free endeavour.

From our work with hundreds of employers “hire to relocate” we have identified a host of tools which might be useful to you if you are undergoing a similar process. 

Tools to Use

Employee onboarding & collaboration:

Digital collaboration has been a mainstay of COVID-centric business solutions. The ease of SaaS integration, and a global requirement for touchless services, have underpinned an explosion of collaboration solutions in the recruitment industry.

The big fish of the collaboration world – Slack, Zoom and Microsoft Teams – have set a precedent for streamlined information access, video collaboration and workflow. But onboarding is so much more than ease of comms. It has to take stock of training, cultural integration, employee engagement, and staff retention.

Onboarding and collaboration companies to watch out for:

→ Talmundo
A simple cloud-based onboarding platform for companies that lets you personalize the new hire experience with engaging workflows and tools designed to pace the employee through the process.

→ Typelane
Designed for employee onboarding, Typelane wants to increase employee engagement through task management and automated messaging for productivity.

→ Freshteam
Created by Freshworks, this is a comprehensive applicant recruitment and HR management platform with an applicant tracking system (ATS), employee onboarding, and time off management software component.

→ Avature
Combining ATS and CRM capabilities, Avature personalizes the new hire experience perfect for enterprise level companies with applicant tracking, recruitment tools, social onboarding, and performance management.

→ Sapling
Sapling is a cloud-based solution designed to assist in employee onboarding and managing HR operations.

→ HROnboard
HROnboard is a mobile-first, onboarding engagement app that enables teams to create tailored new hire experiences.

International payroll services:

To illuminate the need for international payroll services, consider the boom in cross border payments. They “are expected to soar… in 2022 to a total of $156 trillion”. Having a payroll system optimised for an international market will open doors to international talent while adhering to local tax and payment laws, meeting the expectation of a more connected, digitally reliant user base.

This also means you can start paying remote employees before they relocate safely and securely, without the hassle of organising in-house payroll in the interim.

International payroll services to watch out for:

→ GoGlobal
This platform is ideal for businesses looking for exceptional white glove services, and their services include international recruitment, EOR as well as payroll across geographies, amongst other related services.

→ Deel
This global platform offers a basic payroll solution for international companies that focuses on legal compliance and payments.

→ Papaya Global
Perfect for enterprise-level global companies, Papaya automates payroll across 160 countries, manages employees, and offers employee onboarding tools.

→ Rippling
Rippling is one of the most highly rated payroll platforms, it combines payroll solutions with HR functionality including automating offer letters, health insurance, tax paperwork, and easy onboarding.

→ Omnipresent
Created solely for the recruitment of remote employees, Omnipresent offer localized employment contracts, payroll automation, onboarding/offboarding tools, and employee database information.

→ Immedis
Immedis is a streamlined platform that unifies payroll operations while offering real-time, embedded analytics and advanced reporting capabilities.

→ Gusto
An all-in-one HR platform, Gusto integrates its core payroll software with added capabilities for employee onboarding, PTO management, benefits management, and many HR needs.

Visa services:

Major tech hubs in countries like Canada, the UK, the USA, Singapore and South Korea have famously labyrinthine visa processes, but their tech employers need talent immediately. Specialist digital platforms in almost every country are rapidly speeding up the visa application process through their platforms, helping establish new staff in-country quickly.

Visa services platforms to watch out for:

→ Jobbatical
Used primarily by tech companies and start-ups, Jobbatical helps businesses relocate international employees quickly and without issue.

→ VISARIGHT
This immigration services platform focuses on relocating workers to Germany and the European Union.

→ Localyze
Localyze helps you manage your international team, especially when you need to relocate employees or insure a temporary employee transfer across borders.

→ iVisa
iVisa streamlines the lengthy bureaucratic visa application process into inexpensive and easy-to-understand steps.

→ Envoy Global
A US-based company, Envoy specializes in legal representation and technology to allow businesses to hire and relocate international talent quickly and efficiently.

Housing search:

Relocating employees has to take stock of more than just workplace processes like payroll and onboarding: companies are also responsible for homing new staff in secure housing where they can interact with new communities and feel at home.

Luckily, innovation in this niche abounds.

Housing search service platforms to watch out for:

→ PerchPeek
Calling itself “the tinder for renters,” PerchPeek is an AI-powered service that helps people throughout the relocation process – from finding a new home to settling in. The service is active in hundreds of cities worldwide.

→ HousingAnwhere
HousingAnywhere is a rental accommodation platform for mid-length stays in European countries.

→ SITU
SITU helps companies and organizations find international housing and accommodations for corporate travelers and provide employee relocation services. They offer easy access to a wide range of serviced apartments in 500+ locations.

→ Wunderflats
Providing fully furnished apartments and accommodations in Germany, Wunderflats caters to business relocations and family homes alike.

→ Rentberry
US-based Rentberry connects potential renters with property owners and eliminates the guesswork in applications, leasing contracts, and background histories. It offers long-term properties in over 50 countries across the world.

→ Canopy
Another platform for renters and landlords alike, Canopy operates in the UK to streamline the renting process.

Full “stack” end-to-end relocation platforms:

There are companies that do all of the above, who provide the platform to better organise relocation, reduce costs, connect you with other relocation companies, and keep all stakeholders happy.

Full service platforms to watch out for:

→ UrbanBound
UrbanBound is relocation management software that guides businesses through the entire remote worker process. It gives businesses the tools to recruit talent, control relocation costs, and remain competitive in the process.

→ Noah Mobility
Serving a global workforce, this service covers the full gamut of relocation services from incorporating global talent into existing corporations to providing relocation tools.

→ Start Relocation
This company specializes in supporting international employees in Berlin and across Germany to acquire visas, fill permit applications and other paperwork, and find housing.

→ Mobility Empowered
Creating an online marketplace, Mobility Empowered connects companies, their talent, and global relocation services through their platform.

→ Globalization Partners
With offices in the US, Mexico, Germany, India, Brazil, and Singapore, Globalization Partners provides the tools companies need to hire international teams without setting up subsidiaries or offices in each location.

The bottom line 

We believe remote work is tech’s secret weapon because it can be a fundamental strategic bonus to your relocation and onboarding of tech talent in the long term.

It can help expand your team’s access to diverse talent from across the globe, immediately, while opening pathways for underrepresented talent.

Not only does this benefit your recruitment drives, it generates a more inclusive working environment of creativity and acceptance. Hiring more diverse teams, as studies prove, fundamentally improves your bottom line, retention rates and staff productivity.

But above all else it means your talent can start working today, knowing a whole package of supported relocation services is available at the touch of a button.

Relocate.me

Here at Relocate.me, we’ve spent the last 2 years helping companies adjust their relocation strategies and practices in the wake of COVID-19. After much analysis and feedback from clients, we’ve perfected what we feel is a set of remote working rules for employers seeking to relocate tech talent.

• Relocating for work is still a popular and requested driver for talent. London hasn’t lost its famed history or West End; Paris hasn’t lost its architecture or cafe culture; Amsterdam hasn’t closed its famed canals or museums – people still want to live, and work, and grow, and experience new places. Remember that, and use it to your advantage.
• Remote work is not the enemy – in fact, remote work is how you engage with talent better. Remote work is critical to how you retain new talent as they learn about your company, and their role within it.
• Remote work – alongside engaging with digital platforms to streamline onboarding, housing and payroll – is how you create a relocation package fit for the future.

Relocate.me is a 100,000-user strong niche job board for tech roles with relocation. 

Note: This post was written in collaboration with Recruiting Brainfood.