Compared to other developed countries, salaries in the Netherlands are at average levels and probably a bit lower than US and the UK. Income taxes are on the high side unless you get the 30% ruling for expats, which means you only have to pay tax on 70% of your gross salary.
How much will I earn in the Netherlands?
Wages obviously vary significantly depending on employer, position and how much relevant experience you have. Employees in the Netherlands get at least 20 holiday days per year and a holiday bonus month (8% of annual salary) which is paid out in May.
According to the Dutch Centraal Planbureau (CPB), the median gross annual salary for 2022-25 is calculated at €41,000 which is roughly €3,400 per month.
The median gross expat salary in Amsterdam (2024) as reported by PayScale Inc is €52,000. Likewise, Numbeo lists an average net salary (2024) in Amsterdam of €3,585 per month which is the equivalent of €61,500 per year.
Note that the pool of salaries used to calculate both these figures is made up of expats with better-paid-than-average corporate jobs. The Numbeo figure likely includes some with the 30% ruling hence the higher figure. Also, Amsterdam salaries are slightly higher on average than wages in other Dutch cities.
To qualify for a visa as a highly skilled migrant, there are minimum gross salary requirements in 2024 of €5,331 per month (€63,972 per year) for over 30s and €3,909 per month (€46,908 per year) for under 30s.
International students who have graduated in the Netherlands in the last 3 years can qualify for the reduced salary criterion by earning €2,801 per month (€33,612 per year) during their orientation year period. EU Blue Card holders require €6,245 per month (€74,940 per year).
There is a national minimum wage in the Netherlands which is updated twice a year. As of January 2024 this is set hourly as €13.27 per hour for people aged 21 or over. There are lower minimum wage levels for those aged 15-20.
Gross Annual Salary – Net Monthly Pay in the Netherlands (2024)
The following table shows the approximate 2024 net monthly salary (nettoloon) you would receive for a corresponding gross annual salary (bruto salaris) which excludes the holiday bonus. As a rough rule of thumb, an extra €5,000 in annual earnings is equivalent to an extra €200-250 net monthly in your pocket.
| €20,000 – €1,635 | €25,000 – €2,020 | €30,000 – €2,270 | €35,000 – €2,515 |
| €40,000 – €2,760 | €45,000 – €2,965 | €50,000 – €3,175 | €55,000 – €3,380 |
| €60,000 – €3,590 | €65,000 – €3,800 | €70,000 – €4,005 | €75,000 – €4,215 |
| €80,000 – €4,400 | €85,000 – €4,580 | €90,000 – €4,765 | €95,000 – €4,950 |
| €100,000 – €5,130 | €125,000 – €6,050 | €150,000 – €7,100 | €200,000 – €9,205 |
Salaries are normally paid into Dutch bank accounts. The following banks have expertise in dealing with expats and internationals:
bunq – An account at mobile bank bunq can be opened in just 5 minutes with ID and a European address (no ‘BSN’ tax number needed). It offers a free 30 day trial and a raft of features including a savings account, multiple IBANs, instant notifications and no forex fees on payments. Open a bunq account here
ABN AMRO – The popular Dutch banking giant offers a full range of financial services such as bank accounts, credit cards, insurance, investments and mortgages. It has an extensive English version of its website, internet banking portal and mobile banking app. Open an ABN AMRO account here
For investing your hard earned salary see Savings Accounts in the Netherlands
Median Gross Salary by Occupation in The Netherlands
Elsevier-Berenschot publishes an annual Who Earns What (Wie Verdient Wat?) report in Dutch which gives a salary range in the Netherlands for over 250 job types. For reference, here are a selection of jobs and their gross annual median salaries from the latest report (June 2023):
Ajax Squad Football Player €1,373,846*
Chairman of Board Medium Size Company €546,000
Eredivisie (Dutch League) Football Player €361,200*
Pilot Intercontinental Flights €234,600
Director of Hospital €216,000
Commercial Director €207,600
Sales Director €177,300
Marketing Director €150,100
IT Director €125,600
Marketing Manager €121,600
Member of Dutch Parliament €120,100
Treasurer €114,800
IT Manager €109,500
Operations Manager €106,400
Public Relations Manager €105,200
Lawyer €99,600
Regional Manager €96,800
Purchasing Manager €94,700
IT Project Leader €89,100
Service Manager €87,000
Logistics Manager €84,000
Account Manager €82,700
University Lecturer €77,100
Export Manager €75,700
Product Manager €72,500
Senior Buyer €68,900
Senior Accountant €67,300
Journalist National Newspaper €65,000
Programmer €64,800
UX-Designer €64,200
Service Engineer €61,600
Data Analyst €61,200
SEA/SEO Specialist €59,700
Teacher Primary School €53,600
Train Driver €52,700
Median Expat Salary Amsterdam €52,000
Customer Service Team Leader €51,700
Office Manager €48,300
Marketing Assistant €45,400
Graphic Designer €44,100
Head Chef €41,900
Median Salary Netherlands €41,000
Lab Analyst €40,100
Train Conductor €37,300
Bus Driver €37,000
Builder €36,600
Secretary €36,600
Plasterer €36,100
Electrician €34,900
Taxi Driver €33,600
Printer €32,100
Soldier €31,000
Waste Collector €30,900
Courier €28,900
Receptionist €28,900
Cleaner €27,200
Hairdresser €26,600
Waiter €26,000
Cashier €23,300
Packer €23,300
*Eredivisie footballer salary for 2023-24 season is calculated using data from Capology. Note that an Ajax squad member earns an average of €1,373,846. If Ajax is excluded the average Eredivisie player salary is €302,000.
Salary and Cost of Living in Amsterdam
According to comparative cost of living surveys for cities worldwide, Amsterdam has high level prices. In particular, private accommodation rental costs in the city have soared in recent years.
In addition, general prices in the Netherlands (like elsewhere) have also been rising significantly due to geopolitical inflationary policies. We saw a significant inflation spike in 2022-23 but this has now stabilised to more average levels.
How far your Dutch pay packet will take you depends on your housing cost and spending patterns. There can be a huge differences in outgoings between expats. For example:
- the single expat with a good corporate job who rents a nice apartment in the centre of Amsterdam and likes to live the high life.
- the expat couple who have a large mortgage on a house, have 2 kids attending an international school and run 2 cars.
- the international student who rents a room in a house, works part-time and enjoys going out.
- expats on lower incomes who have to learn to live the frugal Dutch way – cycling and using public transport, getting value from shopping, utilities and leisure activities.
- the international who comes to the Netherlands for a Dutch partner, who perhaps live together in (rent-controlled) social housing which reduces outgoings considerably and can leave more disposable income.
Whether you are lucky enough to have a secure, high paid job or have to hustle to make ends meet, we hope your living experience in Amsterdam will be a good one!
For more background on costs, see our Cost of Living in Amsterdam and Supermarket Prices in Amsterdam.
This article was originally published in 2010. Last updated 19 December 2023.
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