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According to an analysis by Euronews Business, based on data from the employment platform Indeed, salary levels in Europe vary significantly depending on the sector and country. The research covers four countries: the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, and the data refers to the period from May 2024 to April 2025.

Below, we provide an overview of the highest-paid occupations and sectors in the mentioned countries, as well as the trends shaping the future of the labor market.

Dominance of medical and dental professions

Medical and dental professions regularly rank at the top of the highest-paid jobs lists in all the analyzed countries. In the United Kingdom, almost half of the highest-paid jobs are precisely these professions, while in France three out of the four highest-paid jobs are related to the dental sector.

Executive and managerial positions

Positions such as chief executive officer, strategy director, project director, and technology director are highly valued in all the observed countries. These roles are most commonly found in the sectors of sales, banking, finance, technology, and general management, confirming that leadership positions carry above-average compensation.

Technology and IT experts

Occupations in software development, IT operations, and information design, such as software engineers, data engineers, and SAP consultants, are particularly well paid in Germany and the Netherlands. Technical knowledge and specialization in this sector open the door to high earnings.

Sales and business development

Although entry-level positions in sales are not among the highest paid, experienced professionals in senior roles, such as sales directors or key account managers, can achieve exceptionally high incomes, especially in Germany and the Netherlands.

Law, taxes, and finance

Experts in tax advisory, labor law, and financial management regularly rank among the highest paid, especially in Germany and the United Kingdom. These occupations require in-depth knowledge of regulations and financial processes.

Examples of the highest-paid occupations by country

In Germany, tax advisors are at the top with an annual median salary of 145,000 euros, while in France the highest paid are dentists with 95,000 euros. In the United Kingdom, interestingly, fashion models lead with 166,390 euros, followed by medical consultants and directors. In the Netherlands, the highest paid are chief executive officers, with an annual median of 115,000 euros.

Sectors of the future

In the next five to ten years, significant salary growth is expected in the sectors of green energy, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity. New occupations such as AI ethicists, generative artificial intelligence engineers, and climate data analysts are already attracting increased demand and high salaries.

Choosing a career in Europe increasingly depends on specific skills, willingness to improve, and keeping up with technological trends. Occupations in healthcare, management, technology, finance, and law remain among the highest paid, while growth in new, specialized professions is expected in the future.