SALARY IN AUSTRIA

Austria is not only a beautiful country with a comfortable climate and many places for active holidays, but also a popular immigration destination. The country has a stable prosperous economy, high social and living standards. Work in Austria is available mainly for highly qualified specialists from abroad, in particular, engineers and construction workers. In addition, medical professions are considered scarce on the Austrian labour market.

The population of Austria in 2024 is 9 million people, of which more than 4.5 million are active labour force. The number of unemployed is just under 292,000. High incomes can be counted on, above all, experienced specialists – holders of diplomas from prestigious Austrian universities. Today on the Austrian territory officially employed more than 650 thousand foreigners, more than half of whom are citizens of the European Union and Switzerland. Next, let's find out what salary in Austria in 2024.

Minimum wage in Austria

Austria is one of a small group of European countries that do not have an official minimum wage. In each sector of the economy, the rates are regulated through nationwide collective bargaining agreements, and there are special legislative provisions for certain professions. In 2017, a new law "LSD-BG" came into force in Austria, which aims to protect the rights of foreign workers to receive wages and social benefits on an equal footing with Austrian citizens (with rare exceptions).

According to most local analytical publications, the minimum wage in Austria in 2024 is around 1,500 euros per month. In individual sectors of the economy, the figures differ slightly. For example, in the retail sector the rate is €1,450, in construction €1,742 and in the hotel industry €1,320. In any case, the minimum wage in Austria is higher than in many European Union countries and is comparable to such developed countries as Germany, France and the UK.

MINIMUM WAGE IN AUSTRIA IN 2024

Sector of economy	Date of introduction	Euros per month
Construction	6.10.2014	1,742
Steel industry	6.10.2014	1,688
Public sector	1.01.2013	1,470
Retail trade	6.10.2014	1,450
Clothing	6.10.2014	1,387
Hospitality industry	1.01.2013	1,320
Information Technology	6.10.2014	645

Note. In the near future, Austria plans to introduce a monthly minimum wage at the national level of 1,500 euros (gross) for all sectors of the economy. The initiative was approved by the government and the social partners – the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions, the Chamber of Labor, the Federal Economic Chamber and the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture.

Today, some 300,000 Austrian workers covered by collective bargaining agreements earn less than €1,500 a month.

Average salary in Austria

An analysis of job databases of Austrian recruitment agencies shows that the average salary in Austria in 2024 before taxes is about 40,875 euros per year or 3,406 euros per month. After all mandatory deductions, a local employee is left with around €2,215. In comparison, the salary in Germany is €4,105 (net €2,800). That is, the figures are somewhat lower, while the cost of living in many Austrian cities is slightly higher, especially in the capital – Vienna.

Important. Women in Austria earn 18.8% less than men (comparable positions), which is noticeably higher than the EU average (12.7%).

The level of remuneration in Austrian companies largely depends on the region, qualifications and experience of the employee. For example, the average salary in Austria by profession for local university graduates is as follows (euros per year):

• Finance – 41,525

• Business services – 31,815

• Medicine – 29,390

• Energy – 24,415

• Manufacturing – 19,760

Experienced specialists earn significantly more in Austria. For example, programmers or engineers in industry can expect an annual income of over 60,000 euros, and doctors over 80,000 euros. Workers with no qualifications earn between 1,200 and 2,000 euros. In terms of average salaries, Austria is noticeably ahead of Eastern, Central and Southern Europe, but slightly behind neighbouring Western European and Scandinavian countries.

Taxes on salaries in Austria

All Austrians and foreign workers with a residence permit in Austria pay taxes and compulsory social payments on their salaries. The country has a progressive income tax rate, which reaches 55% for earnings over €1 million per year.

Income tax in Austria in 2024

Annual income (EUR)	Rate (%)
Less than 12,816	0
From 12,816 to 20,818	20
From 20,818 to 34,513	30
From 34,513 to 66,612	42
From 66,612 to 99,266	48
From 99,266 to 1,000,000	50
More than 1,000,000	55

Social contributions in Austria

• Sickness insurance – 7.65% (employer – 3.78, employee – 3.87).

• Accident insurance – 1.2% (employer – 1.2, employee – 0).

• Unemployment insurance – 6% (employer – 3, employee – 3).

• Pension insurance – 22.8% (employer – 12.55, employee – 10.25) and for self-employed persons – 18.5%.

In some cases, Austrian labour law provides for additional benefits and tax credits. For example, coverage of public transport fares in the amount of 400 euros.

WAGES BY REGION IN AUSTRIA

Region	Salary (EUR per month)
Lower Austria	2,775
Burgenland	2,760
Upper Austria	2,725
Vorarlberg	2,660
Styria	2,595
Carinthia	2,560
Salzburg	2,440
Tyrol	2,385
Vienna	2,375

Note. Salaries in Austria by region are for short-term and part-time work based on data from the Austrian Statistical Office.

HIGHEST PAID OCCUPATIONS IN AUSTRIA

• Doctors

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)

• Bankers, financiers, insurers

• Programmers

• Lawyers

• Engineers in senior positions

• Sales directors and business development managers

• Researchers, scientists

• Airline pilots

• Energy workers

Cost of living in Austria

Compared to most European countries, living in Austria is not cheap. The most expensive cities are Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, Linz and Vienna.

Basic costs in Austria:

• Rent: 800-900 euros per month for a one-bedroom flat in the centre.

• Utility bills: 300-400 euros per month.

• Food: 200-300 euros per month per person.

• Transport: 50-60 euros per month by public transport or 150-200 euros per month by car.

• Internet/mobile phone: 50-60 euros per month.

• Clothing and leisure activities: 500-700 euros per month.

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Austria:

1. What is the average salary in Austria?

• Before taxes, the average salary in Austria in 2024 is €3,406 per month.

2. What is the minimum wage in Austria?

• There is still no official minimum wage in Austria, but the actual minimum wage is €1,500 per month.

3. What is the highest paying job in Austria?

• The highest paid professions in Austria are doctors and CEOs of large companies.

4. What is the lowest paying job in Austria?

• The lowest income in Austria is received by representatives of unskilled labour – cleaners, waiters, cooks' assistants, loaders, salesmen, maids and so on.

5. What is the average salary of programmers in Austria?

• The average income of programmers in Austria is estimated at 40,000-50,000 euros per year.

6. What is the average median salary in Austria?

• The average median salary in Austria in 2024 is €2,735 per month.

7. What is the payroll tax in Austria?

• The income tax rate in Austria depends on annual income and ranges from 0% (income up to €12,816) to 55% (income over €1,000,000).

8. What is the salary in Vienna?

• The average salary in Vienna in 2024 is €2,300 per month after taxes.

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