Considering the minimum wage in the Netherlands and how your potential salary compares is essential before you accept a job offer in the Netherlands.
But first, you have to know what minimum wage is, how it works, and if it’s even enough for you.
I’ve worked since arriving in the Netherlands at the start of 2023 and have done the research so you can easily understand how minimum wage in the Netherlands works.
Here’s the quick guide to the Dutch minimum wage in 2024.
In a rush? Jump to a section below!
- Minimum wage in the Netherlands as of January 1, 2024
- Minimum wage for the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa
- How does minimum wage work in the Netherlands?
- Number of hours in a full working week in the Netherlands
- Average salaries in the Netherlands
- Extra salary benefits in the Netherlands
- Minimum wage in the Netherlands in 2024: Frequently asked questions
Minimum wage in the Netherlands as of January 1, 2024
The Dutch government re-evaluates and adjusts the minimum wage every six months.
Here’s the gross minimum wage of the Netherlands as of January 1, 2024. 👇
| Age (years) | Minimum wage per hour |
|---|---|
| 21 and older | €13.27 |
| 20 | €10.62 |
| 19 | €7.96 |
| 18 | €6.64 |
| 17 | €5.24 |
| 16 | €4.58 |
| 15 | €3.98 |
Up until January 1, 2024, the Dutch minimum wage was based on a month, week, or year amount.
However, as of 2024, the Dutch government switched to an hourly minimum wage. This made it simpler to calculate and fairer for employees who, depending on their industry, worked between 36 and 40 hours per week for the same monthly wage.
Minimum wage for the Highly Skilled Migrant Visa
If you are a Highly Skilled Migrant who is living and working in the Netherlands, you get a stack of benefits — including your salary.
READ MORE | Can I work in the Netherlands? Complete guide to work permits and visas to land a Dutch job
Your employer has to pay you a minimum wage that’s higher than the normal minimum wage to meet the requirements for your permit.
Here’s how much you need to earn for a Highly Skilled Migrant Visa. 👇
| Type of Highly Skilled Migrant | Gross minimum wage per month |
|---|---|
| Reduced salary criterion | €2,801 |
| Younger than 30 years | €3,909 |
| 30 years or older | €5,331 |
How does minimum wage work in the Netherlands?
Living in the Netherlands has many benefits — bike-friendliness, great work-life balance, and all the stroopwafels you can fit in your mouth.
While the Netherlands also has the second-highest minimum wage in Europe, some things can be confusing to understand about wages.
Although the Dutch government now states minimum wage per hour, most employment contracts will state your monthly salary. You’ll need to divide your monthly salary but your contracted monthly work hours to find your hourly rate.
READ MORE | Finding a job in Amsterdam: the ultimate guide 2024
You should know: Volunteers, interns, apprentices, and freelancers do not have to be paid minimum wage in the Netherlands.
Gross pay and net pay
You might be a bit bewildered when you get paid and the amount that lands in your bank account is substantially less than what you were expecting.
Why is this? It’s because the minimum wage is your gross pay (bruto salaris). You’ll still be taxed and have other deductions on that amount. The amount you receive in your account is your net pay (netto salaris).
Number of hours in a full working week in the Netherlands
So you know about some perks of working in the Netherlands, such as the weekly borrel and the lack of hierarchy, and now all about the minimum wage.
READ MORE | 11 jobs that are so Dutch they could only exist in the Netherlands
Do you know how many hours you have to work to receive minimum wage for a full-time job, though? A full working week in the Netherlands usually has 36, 38, or 40 hours.
It differs depending on the position and industry, but any of the above is considered working full-time.
READ MORE | 7 things you need as a freelancer in the Netherlands
Not everyone works full-time, though. The Dutch love their work-life balance, so many people in the Netherlands have four-day work weeks.
In 2022, the average weekly working hours in the Netherlands was just 30 hours. That leaves more time to sit on terrasjes sipping wine. 🍷
Average salaries in the Netherlands
While the Netherlands is one of the world’s best-paying countries, the amount you get paid depends on the type of wage you earn, the industry you work in, years of experience, and other factors.
READ MORE | How to land a sponsored job in the Netherlands [2024 guide]
The average salary in the Netherlands for 2022 was around €35,000 per year, according to Statistics Netherlands (CBS).
However, when looking for a job in the Netherlands, it’s good to remember that, like with everything, average is not what everyone gets. There are, naturally, always lower salaries and higher salaries.
If you’re wondering how your salary compares to others your age, check out the average yearly salary for different age groups. 👇
| Age group (years) | Average yearly salary |
|---|---|
| 15-19 | €5,530 |
| 20-24 | €18,740 |
| 25-29 | €34,300 |
| 30-34 | €42,430 |
| 35-39 | €46,890 |
| 40-44 | €49,960 |
| 45-49 | €51,850 |
| 50-54 | €52,090 |
| 55-59 | €50,330 |
| 60-64 | €47,350 |
| 65+ | €26,060 |
Helaas, in 2022, there was also a gender pay gap of 34.7% in the Netherlands. Men earned an average of €47,930 per year, while women earned €31,290.
Luckily, the gender pay gap is decreasing every year. ho*ra for equal pay! (Well, at least some time in the near future, we hope. 😉)
Extra salary benefits in the Netherlands
On top of your salary, your payment package will likely include some extra benefits. For example, you might be able to negotiate:
- Vakantiegeld
- Thirteenth month (a month’s salary paid at the end of the calendar year)
- Stock options
- Transport costs
- Gym membership
You’ll also almost always have sick leave and holiday leave.
What do you think of the minimum wage in the Netherlands? Do you think it’s high enough? Tell us in the comments!
Minimum wage in the Netherlands in 2024: Frequently asked questions
How much does a job in the Netherlands pay per hour?
The average job in the Netherlands pays around €20.21 per hour or €35,000 per year. The minimum wage for individuals over the age of 21 is equivalent to €11.51 per hour.
How much is the minimum wage in the Netherlands 2024?
As of July 1, the minimum wage in the Netherlands is €1,995 per month for workers over the age of 21 years old.
What is the Netherlands minimum wage annually?
The minimum wage in the Netherlands is re-evaluated and adjusted every six months. From July 2023, the annual minimum wage is €23,940.
What is a good salary in the Netherlands?
A good salary is one that allows you to pay for all your necessities and still live comfortably (wine drinking and holidays included). That’s why it’s a good idea to know how much you can expect to spend to have the type of lifestyle you want and base the salary you want on that. A gross salary of around €3,000 is quite good and would put you in the top 30% of earners in the Netherlands.
Simone Jacobs
Originally from South Africa, Simone is having fun navigating the Dutch language, steep stairs, and bicycles (which she still manages to fall off of with her short, non-Dutch legs). An animal lover at heart, Simone can typically be found under her (growing?) mound of cats, where she uses the opportunity to read, write, and watch video compilations of creatures.
