In Europe’s tech sector, not all salaries are created equal, especially considering the cost of living and rent. The DigiAdvance Digital Talent report peels back the layers of what digital professionals earn across various European cities, offering a glimpse into the economic realities behind the gross figures. This deep dive into the normalized average salaries for consolidated and emerging technologies reveals a complex framework of what it truly means to work in tech across the continent.
The real value of tech salaries in Europe
At the heart of the matter is Zurich, with an average salary of €148,327—before adjustments for living costs—which stands tall for its mountainous vistas but also its lofty tech salaries. However, when adjusting for the high cost of living and high rent prices, the landscape shifts. London, with an adjusted average salary of €76,790, takes the lead, outpacing Zurich‘s adjusted average of €71,441. This challenges the prevailing notion of where the tech sector’s financial heart lies. This adjusted view levels the playing field, offering a more nuanced understanding of tech compensation across Europe.
Consolidated technologies: a closer look
In the consolidated technologies sector—those well-established sectors such as Cloud AWS, Web/App Developers, Big Data, Business Intelligence, and Cybersecurity—the salary range is broad. Cloud specialists lead with adjusted salaries that reflect the high demand and specialized skills required in this domain, earning €54,420 on average. Following closely are Big Data and Business Intelligence experts, with adjusted salaries of €53,133 and €53,698 respectively, illustrating the premium placed on data analysis and actionable insights in today’s digital economy. The lowest average salaries are observed for Digital Marketing at €34,325 and App Developers at €43,337.
Emerging technologies: the frontier of innovation
Emerging technologies—such as Computer Vision, AI, IoT, 3D printing, and Blockchain—paint a future where specialization might be the key to opening the door for higher pay, even when the cost of living and rent are factored in. Specialists in Computer Vision command the highest adjusted salaries among new tech domains, earning €62,573, a testament to the cutting-edge nature of their work and its impact on industries from healthcare to automotive. Blockchain experts, riding the wave of decentralised technology, also see significant financial rewards, with adjusted salaries of €53,561, emphasising the market’s valuation of innovation and security. They are followed by AI experts at €49,821, IoT specialists at €48,403, and 3D Printing professionals at €47,623.
As the sector continues to evolve, with consolidated technologies maturing and emerging ones breaking new ground, the conversation around salaries, living costs, and the true value of work in tech becomes ever more critical. The DigiAdvance Digital Talent report showcases the current state of affairs and guides those navigating their way through Europe’s dynamic tech landscape.