The Netherlands has emerged as a tech hub for building a lucrative IT career. To prepare for a rewarding IT career, it’s essential to understand how the Netherlands has become a prominent tech heaven for giant tech companies and startups. It recently created a cutting-edge ecosystem for innovation and technology and has become an attractive place.
The IT field is in high demand in the Netherlands and the EU. For the last 10 years, the number of IT specialists increased by 59.3 %, while the figure for total employment increased by 10.7 %, according to EU Eurostat by the European Commission. This 6 times increase makes the IT jobs salaries more competitive.
There are many job roles available in the IT field. The Netherlands has the highest job vacancy rate with 4,4%, although the job vacancy rate is 2.6% overall in the EU, according to Eurostat’s Second Quarter 2024 report.
The average IT salary in the Netherlands is entirely satisfactory and higher than national and EU average salaries. It is among the top 5 EU countries that pay the highest salaries. High-income incentives attract international and local professionals with proper IT training to build an IT career in the Netherlands.
As the demand for IT professionals continues to surge, understanding the diverse salary ranges across various specializations becomes crucial for those looking to embark on or advance their careers in this dynamic field. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the average salaries for specific IT roles in the Netherlands, providing insights that can help aspiring professionals make informed decisions about their career paths and expectations. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, this information will equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate the competitive landscape of the Dutch IT job market.
How Much Are Salaries for Different IT Specializations?
The average annual salary in the Netherlands varies depending on the IT job role. From this point, the salary figures mentioned in the following chapters mean gross wage, which is the total amount before taxes.
DevOps Engineer Salaries
The median annual compensation of a DevOps engineer in the Netherlands is €76,366, and the base salary ranges by experience between €52,616 and €93,243, according to the Economic Research Institute. Also, an 8% increase is estimated in the following 5 years.
Cloud Architect Salaries
Cloud architect salaries in the Netherlands are quite satisfactory. The average salary for a cloud architect is €112,808, ranging between €80,206 and €136,385, according to the Economic Research Institute.
Software Developer Salaries
The annual salary in the Netherlands for software engineers is €86.234, ranging between €68,219 and €116,955, according to the levels.fyi.
Data Scientist Salaries
The average annual salary for data scientists is €78,804, ranging between €62,692 to €100,178, according to the levels.fyi.
Cybersecurity Specialist Salaries
The average total compensation of a cybersecurity specialist is €94,282 in the Netherlands, ranging between €66,097 and €116,427, according to the levels.fyi.
IT Consultant Salaries
The average salary of an IT consultant is €88,479 in the Netherlands, ranging between €60,343 and €108,210, according to the Economic Research Institute.
Web Developer Salaries
The average salary of a Web Developer in the Netherlands is €80,262, ranging between €55,541 and €97,839, according to the Economic Research Institute.
Other IT Roles
There are various other IT roles available in the job market, and the average annual salary for IT positions in the Netherlands is €54,000, with most salaries ranging between €38,400 and €75,000, according to the devitjobs.nl.
What are the Factors Affecting IT Salaries?
Here are the top 5 factors affecting IT salaries in the Netherlands:
- Experience and Skills
- Job Role and Specialization
- Location
- Size of the Company
- Gender Gap
Experience and Skills
Job experience and expertise are significant in determining IT salaries in the Netherlands. Additionally, certifications make professionals stand out among peers, as they prove the technical skills of the holder. Thus, practical experience and skills will enable professionals to earn higher salaries.
Job Role and Specialization
The IT field offers many job opportunities with different levels of specialization. Usually, more in-demand roles offer more satisfying salaries. Similarly, executive or managerial positions have higher incomes. Furthermore, experts who relocate to the Netherlands for work can benefit from a 30% tax deduction, which helps them pay for extra costs.
Location
Geographic location directly affects IT salaries in the Netherlands. Generally, larger cities provide many more job opportunities with higher wages and compensate for living expenses. Amsterdam, Utrecht, the Hague, Eindhoven, and Rotterdam are the top 5 IT centers that provide various opportunities.
Size of the Company
Generally, larger companies have more resources and clearly defined job roles. They also support personal growth through training programs. Thus, larger companies offer higher salaries and promote work-life balance to enhance productivity and job satisfaction.
Gender Gap
The Netherlands is in the 28th place in the Global Gender Gap Index. Although the gap in the labor force has considerably decreased recently, unfortunately, men still get higher salaries than women in IT jobs, according to the Global Gender Gap Report 2024 by the World Economic Forum.
How do IT salaries in the Netherlands compare to those of other European countries?
The average annual gross salary for all workers across the EU is €33,500. At the same time, in the Netherlands, this figure is higher at €44,000, according to the 2024 report by the CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
Similarly, the average wages for IT roles are higher than the national average for all works and reach €54,000. Although some Western European countries pay more than the Netherlands, IT salaries in the Netherlands are higher than the EU average. It is among the top 5 highest paying countries in the EU zone.
Conclusion
The Netherlands is the new tech heaven for building a lucrative IT career. It offers numerous job opportunities across a variety of roles. The IT industry in the Netherlands is highly competitive and rewarding for skilled professionals. The Netherlands stands out with satisfying salaries, high-quality IT training, career advancement support, and work-life balance.
The annual average salary for IT jobs in the Netherlands is higher than both the national and EU average. Moreover, it is among the top 5 countries that pay the highest salaries in the EU. There are several vital elements affecting IT salaries in the Netherlands. However, the top 5 factors are experience and skills, job role and specialization, location, size of the company, and gender gap.
The Netherlands is a magnet for IT professionals who are both living in the Netherlands and planning to relocate there to build a profitable career.
FAQs
How can I land an IT job in the Netherlands?
Having technical and soft skills is essential to land an IT job in the Netherlands. Similarly, certifications validate expertise and improve the chances of being hired. Networking is equally essential for quickly finding employment, whereas learning Dutch will help international professionals secure a job and internalize the culture.
What are the highest-paying IT jobs in the Netherlands?
The highest paying IT jobs in the Netherlands are cloud architect, DevOps engineer, software engineer, web developer, data scientist, cybersecurity specialist and IT manager.
Is the Netherlands a good place to build a lucrative IT career?
Yes, the Netherlands is one of the top places to build a lucrative IT career. With about 83% of the population possessing essential digital skills—the highest rate in the EU, according to the European Commission’s 2030 Digital Decade report—the country has a strong tech-savvy workforce. Despite this, a skilled labor gap exists in IT, creating high demand and competitive wages that exceed EU standards. Additionally, the Netherlands is known for its successful work-life balance, making it especially attractive for digital professionals.
Are IT salaries in Amsterdam higher than in other Dutch cities?
Yes, IT salaries in Amsterdam are generally higher than in other Dutch cities. Amsterdam is home and the center of attention for many tech giants, startups, and multinational companies; therefore, Amsterdam IT jobs salary is quite satisfactory.
