One of the greatest allures of the tech industry is the income it can provide for those working within it. From eye-watering high six-figure salaries in Silicon Valley to more modest-but-still-impressive ones elsewhere, generally speaking developers are well-paid with high-demand skills.
The WeAreDevelopers community spans Europe and beyond, and each year we like to take a look at the state of the jobs market to help you understand how yours matches up, and where opportunities might lie in terms of jobs.
Luckily, levels.fyi launched this handy tool to make it a little easier to do for 2025. In this post, we’ll use it to explore the state of tech jobs in Europe, looking at factors influencing developer pay, regional trends, and what the future might hold for the industry and developers looking for their next role in Europe.
The East-West Divide Still Exists
One of the most striking features of the European tech jobs market is the disparity in salaries between Western and Eastern Europe.
Switzerland unsurprisingly leads the pack when it comes to high-paying roles, with 10% of developers earning over €337k, followed by the UK (10% earn over €214k), and Luxembourg (€144k) and Germany (€133k).
These figures are driven by the presence of global tech giants like Google, Meta, and Microsoft, which have established significant operations in these regions, as well as the financial bases and fintech companies present in the UK and Switzerland.
In contrast, Eastern European countries like Belarus and Bulgaria offer significantly lower salaries.
For instance, entry-level developers in Bulgaria—those in the 10th percentile—earn just €22,500 annually. Even top-tier developers in Belarus earn approximately €65,000, which, while competitive locally, lags behind Western European counterparts. This gap reflects not only differences in cost of living but also variations in demand, infrastructure, and the maturity of local tech ecosystems.
Key Drivers of Tech Salaries in Europe
Several factors influence the wide range of salaries across Europe:
The Cost of Living
High-paying countries like Switzerland and Luxembourg have some of the highest costs of living in Europe. In Zurich, for example, the cost of housing, transportation, and daily expenses is significantly higher than in Sofia or Minsk. Employers must offer competitive salaries to attract top talent and maintain a standard of living.
Presence of Global Tech Companies
The clustering of major tech firms directly impacts salaries.
Ireland’s tech boom, for example, stems from favorable corporate tax policies that have attracted global giants such as Google, Meta, and HubSpot. These companies not only pay high salaries but also set benchmarks for the local job market, driving up pay even at smaller firms.
Local Talent Pools
Countries with a high concentration of skilled developers tend to see higher salaries.
Switzerland, with its renowned universities and emphasis on STEM education, produces a steady stream of highly qualified professionals. On the other hand, countries like Bulgaria and Belarus are known for their strong technical expertise but operate in markets where labor is more affordable.
Economic and Political Factors
Stability plays a significant role in shaping salaries. Switzerland’s robust economy and neutrality make it an attractive destination for tech firms. Conversely, Belarus’s political challenges may deter some companies from investing heavily, though others see it as an opportunity to tap into cost-effective talent pools.
Trends in the European Tech Jobs Market
Remote Work has Changed the Game
The rise of remote work is reshaping the European tech job market. Developers in lower-cost regions can now access roles with companies headquartered in high-paying countries.
This has created a more competitive landscape, with salaries in some Eastern European countries starting to rise as demand for remote talent grows.
One country of particular interest is Bulgaria, where large numbers of the workforce receive some of the lowest tech salaries in Europe, but also boast some of the highest-paying roles in the region, too.
The country has become established as a county specialising in IT outsourcing, and with low taxes it is an attractive location for companies and individuals. For these reasons, we have seen Hewlett Packard, IBM, CISCO, Oracle, SAP and others transfer some of their software development to the country.
What Does the Future Hold for Tech Jobs in Europe?
Convergence of Salaries
In time, we will see if remote work has any meaningful role in closing the salary gap between the East and West European countries, but there are at least some positive signs that Eastern countries are catching up.
Increased Demand for Specialised Skills
The European tech industry is moving toward greater specialization. Skills in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and machine learning are becoming increasingly valuable. Developers who invest in upskilling in these areas are likely to see significant returns in the coming years.
Conclusion
The European tech jobs market is evolving rapidly, offering both challenges and opportunities for developers. While salary disparities persist between Western and Eastern Europe, the rise of remote work and increased demand for specialised skills are leveling the playing field.
For developers, staying informed about market trends and continuously improving their skills are the keys to thriving in this dynamic industry, and of course the best way to do this is to stay engaged with the WeAreDevelopers community.
