This article will discuss the 5 countries with the highest starting salaries for graduates. If you want to read our detailed analysis, you can go to the 20 Countries with the Highest Starting Salaries for Graduates.
5. Luxembourg
Starting Salary for Entry-Level Jobs: $54,538
Luxembourg is amongst the highest-paying countries in the world. The labor force participation rate in Luxembourg increased to 62% in the first quarter of 2023. Luxembourg, an economic hub, is home to a groundbreaking IT industry, making it a popular attraction for the global workforce. The most common and popular industries in Luxembourg include the financial and audit industry, the Information technology industry, and the research and development industry.
4. France
Starting Salary for Entry-Level Jobs: $56,648
France boasts an annual starting salary for entry-level jobs at $56648. As of March 2023, the Labor Participation rate in France increased to 73.9%. With 147 companies in the ICT industry, France offers highly paid jobs to the global workforce. According to a report by GlobalData, the ICT industry in France is expected to reach a valuation of $159.25 billion in 2026 at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. As of 2023, software developers and programmers have been in high demand by recruiters across the country.
3. Sweden
Starting Salary for Entry-Level Jobs: $62,428
As of May 2023, the labor force participation rate in Sweden stood at 75.9%. On average a person living and working in Sweden earns around $2885.373 per month. For this wage level, Sweden offers the third highest starting salaries for graduates. The healthcare and wellbeing sector is the largest sector in Sweden, home to almost 817333 employees. While most industries in Sweden are growing and mature, the country still faces a skill shortage for the following job roles: IT architects, software developers, doctors, special needs carers, and healthcare assistants.
2. Switzerland
Starting Salary for Entry-Level Jobs: $75,676
Switzerland boasted a 2.3% increase in its employment rate in the last quarter of 2022. Moreover, as of December 31, 2022, the average wage in the country was reported at $7657.73 per month. This indicates that Switzerland is indeed one of the highest-paying countries in the world. Like all our top countries, Switzerland also hires extensively for its technology industry. People with technical engineering skills would immensely benefit from the available jobs in Switzerland.
1. Denmark
Starting Salary for Entry-Level Jobs: $86,073
As of June 2023, Denmark reported an employment rate of 68.3%. Denmark enjoys the highest starting salaries in the world. As of 2023, Denmark reported an annual average pay of $71,947. However, high salaries are not the only reason why Denmark is an attractive economic hub for the global force. Denmark has a distinct work culture, where CEOs tend to place immense importance on benefits and perks, contributing to employee retention. Despite that, the country is currently facing labor shortages, especially for skilled and experienced labor.
You can also take a peek at the 20 Countries with the Highest Minimum Wage in the World and the Average Salary in Each State in the US.
