Your guide to the average salaries in Austria 2024

Discover the minimum and average salaries in Austria, which factors influence your earnings, and how much you'll earn in your field in Austria.

Ivandzhelin

6 minute read

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Updated on 16 Aug 2024

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Working

Planning to look for a job in Austria? To succeed in the Austrian job market and make smart decisions about your pay, you should understand Austrian salaries and how they relate to the country's high living standards. This guide is tailor-made for expats like you, providing insightful information about:

• The minimum wage in Austria
• The average salary in Austria in 2024
• A good salary to live comfortably in Austria
• Average salaries for different professions in Austria
• Factors that will influence your salary

With this knowledge, you'll be able to make well-informed choices about your career and how you're paid.

The Austrian minimum wage in 2024 is €1,766.92 per month before taxes for full-time work. Most agreements factor in 14 paychecks a year instead of 12, which includes extra bonuses given in June and December. So, in practice, the minimum monthly pay in Austria totals around €2,020.

However, Austria doesn't have a state-mandated minimum wage. Instead, minimum pay is determined through collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) between trade unions and employers' associations.

The exact amount varies based on factors like industry, occupation, age, experience, and region. This ensures fairness of starting salaries depending on the complexity of the job. For example the minimum wage in Austria in some fields is:

• Restaurant Servers/Delivery/Cleaning/Security guards: €2,025 - €2,070
• Logistics/Packaging/Maintenance: €2,055 - €2,143
• Drivers (vehicles weight max 3.5 t, cranes, forklift)/Metal sorters: €2,130 - €2,245
• Drivers (trucks over 3.5 t and tractors): €2,190 - €2,325
• Certified drivers/Trained professionals/Metal cutters: €2,225 - €2,365

However, almost everyone working in Austria is guaranteed a certain level of pay. This is because public and private companies must be part of the Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) group. This group checks that the agreements are balanced and treats workers fairly.

Austria is a country with a strong economy which is reflected in the average salary. The average gross annual salary in Austria is €52,665 (or around €4,388 monthly). After taxes, this comes down to an average net annual salary of €35,961 (or €2,996 monthly).

To give you context, the average net annual salary in Austria surpasses that of many EU countries:

You can use the gross-net calculator provided by the Austrian government to calculate exactly how much your net salary is.

Average salary in Vienna

With a monthly cost of living of €1,717, living in Vienna is more expensive than in other Western European capitals like Berlin or Paris. However, Vienna's high salaries make it manageable.

The average gross annual salary in Vienna is €51,219 (or €4,268 monthly). After tax deductions, this comes down to €34,188 yearly (or €2,849 monthly). This kind of salary allows you to live comfortably, save, and treat yourself to things you like.

What you earn depends on your job. Fields like IT, medicine, engineering, and business generally offer higher salaries. Here's a glimpse of average salaries for different jobs in Austria:

In Austria, a good salary means more than just covering your basics — it's about having the freedom to enjoy life comfortably. Think hitting the gym, hanging out with friends over dinner, and getting quality clothes.

A single person with a monthly income between €2,500 and €3,500 can have a comfortable standard of living in Austria. Whereas a family of 3, needs a monthly income between €4,000 and €5,000 to live comfortably.

Note that bigger cities like Vienna and Salzburg have higher living costs and salaries. For instance, apartments for rent in Vienna are more expensive than those in Linz. So seeing how your salary compares to your expenses is key.

The median salary in Austria is €42,550 per year (or €3,546 monthly). This gives you an idea of what the typical income level is. Half of Austrians earn less than this, and half earn more.

1. Career field

Your job's field plays a big role in your salary. Professions with more training or complex tasks usually pay better. This is clear in Austria's top-paying jobs:

• Medical doctor/Surgeon- €94,680
• Software Engineer- €71,040
• Data Scientist- €90,000
• Lawyer- €69,360
• Marketing Manager- €65,520
• Physician- €103,800

Another point to consider is your field's demand in Austria. If your role is needed and hard to fill, it's a sign you might get the salary you want. In-demand jobs in Austria include:

• Engineers
• Nurses
• Construction workers
• Waiters/Waitresses
• Technicians
• Restaurant chefs

For more information you can visit the migration.gv.at which lists all available in-demand and shortage jobs in Austria.

2. Gender

Sadly, the gender pay gap persists in Austria. Women earn 18.8% less than men in comparable roles, exceeding the European average of 12.7%.

3. Location in Austria

Location can have a significant impact on salary levels in Austria. Generally, major urban centres such as Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz tend to offer higher wages compared to rural or less economically developed regions.

Let's see how location influences your salary by looking at the average salary in 4 of the larger Austrian cities:

4. Experience level

Your experience matters. Those with 2–5 years of experience earn 32%–35% more than newcomers. With 10 years of experience, you could see a 20% raise. And at 15 years, this increase is between 14% and 15%.

5. Level of education

Generally, higher education brings higher pay. Austrians with a Bachelor's degree earn 23%–25% more than those with a high school diploma. Those with Master's degrees earn 20%–30% more than those without. People with PhDs and Doctorates earn 10%–20% more.

Understanding the various aspects of salaries in Austria is essential when exploring job opportunities. Armed with this knowledge, you're ready to make informed decisions and start your career in Austria. After you’ve landed a job, find out how to apply for an Austrian work visa and look at our relocation checklist to ensure you’ve everything in place.