Average Salary by Country (2026 Data)
Understanding how salaries compare across countries is essential for anyone considering international relocation, negotiating compensation for remote work, or benchmarking their earnings against global standards. This dataset compiles average and median salary figures from official government statistics and international organizations for 2026.
The data below covers 30 countries and includes both nominal salary figures and cost-of-living adjusted comparisons. Use our <a href="/finance/salary-calculator" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">salary calculator</a> to convert these figures into after-tax take-home pay for your specific situation.
Key Insights
- Switzerland leads globally with an average salary of $105,840 but drops when adjusted for its cost of living index of 131.2.
- The US offers the strongest combination of high nominal pay ($76,480) and moderate cost of living, ranking #2 in purchasing power.
- Nordic countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland) cluster together with averages of $58,000-$72,000 and notably smaller gaps between average and median pay.
- Eastern European countries (Poland, Czech Republic) show the fastest wage growth at 8-12% annually, narrowing the gap with Western Europe.
- The difference between average and median salary is a key indicator of income inequality -- the US gap of $16,940 is far wider than Denmark's gap of $10,500.
Average Annual Salary by Country (2026)
Top 30 countries ranked by average gross annual salary in USD equivalent. Figures represent full-time employment across all sectors.
| Country | Average Salary (USD) | Median Salary (USD) | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $105,840 | $87,500 | CHF |
| Luxembourg | $79,500 | $65,200 | EUR |
| Iceland | $78,200 | $66,800 | ISK |
| United States | $76,480 | $59,540 | USD |
| Denmark | $72,600 | $62,100 | DKK |
| Norway | $71,800 | $61,400 | NOK |
| Netherlands | $68,300 | $57,200 | EUR |
| Australia | $67,900 | $56,800 | AUD |
| Belgium | $65,400 | $53,700 | EUR |
| Germany | $64,800 | $52,600 | EUR |
| Austria | $63,700 | $51,400 | EUR |
| Canada | $62,500 | $51,200 | CAD |
| United Kingdom | $60,100 | $47,300 | GBP |
| Finland | $58,900 | $48,700 | EUR |
| Sweden | $58,100 | $48,200 | SEK |
| Ireland | $57,600 | $46,800 | EUR |
| France | $56,200 | $44,300 | EUR |
| New Zealand | $54,800 | $45,100 | NZD |
| Singapore | $54,200 | $44,600 | SGD |
| Japan | $49,600 | $40,200 | JPY |
| South Korea | $48,300 | $38,500 | KRW |
| Israel | $47,900 | $37,800 | ILS |
| Italy | $44,800 | $35,200 | EUR |
| Spain | $42,600 | $33,100 | EUR |
| UAE | $41,200 | $32,400 | AED |
| Poland | $32,800 | $25,600 | PLN |
| Czech Republic | $31,400 | $24,800 | CZK |
| Portugal | $30,200 | $23,500 | EUR |
| Mexico | $18,400 | $12,800 | MXN |
| India | $8,900 | $4,200 | INR |
Purchasing Power Comparison (Cost-Adjusted)
Top 15 countries ranked by purchasing power parity (PPP) adjusted salary. This accounts for the actual cost of goods and services in each country.
| Country | Nominal Salary (USD) | Cost of Living Index | PPP-Adjusted Salary | Purchasing Power Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $105,840 | 131.2 | $80,670 | 1 |
| United States | $76,480 | 100.0 | $76,480 | 2 |
| Australia | $67,900 | 93.4 | $72,700 | 3 |
| Luxembourg | $79,500 | 112.6 | $70,600 | 4 |
| Denmark | $72,600 | 104.8 | $69,270 | 5 |
| Netherlands | $68,300 | 99.1 | $68,920 | 6 |
| Germany | $64,800 | 95.7 | $67,710 | 7 |
| Norway | $71,800 | 107.5 | $66,790 | 8 |
| Canada | $62,500 | 93.8 | $66,630 | 9 |
| Belgium | $65,400 | 99.3 | $65,860 | 10 |
| Austria | $63,700 | 97.4 | $65,400 | 11 |
| Iceland | $78,200 | 121.7 | $64,260 | 12 |
| Finland | $58,900 | 93.1 | $63,260 | 13 |
| United Kingdom | $60,100 | 96.2 | $62,470 | 14 |
| Sweden | $58,100 | 94.6 | $61,420 | 15 |
Global Salary Trends in 2026
The global salary landscape in 2026 continues to reflect significant disparities between developed and developing nations. Switzerland maintains its position at the top with an average salary exceeding $105,000, driven by its strong financial sector, pharmaceutical industry, and favorable exchange rates. However, when adjusted for cost of living, the picture shifts considerably.
The United States remains the second-highest paying country in nominal terms and climbs to near the top in purchasing power terms due to its relatively moderate cost of living compared to top European nations. The gap between average and median salaries in the US ($76,480 vs $59,540) indicates higher income inequality compared to Nordic countries, where these figures are much closer together.
Emerging economies like Poland and the Czech Republic have seen some of the fastest wage growth rates globally, with year-over-year increases of 8-12% in local currency terms. However, currency fluctuations mean that USD-equivalent figures do not always reflect these gains accurately.
Why Cost of Living Matters More Than Nominal Salary
A common mistake when comparing international salaries is focusing solely on nominal figures. Iceland, for example, ranks third in average salary at $78,200 but drops to twelfth when adjusted for its extremely high cost of living (index of 121.7). Conversely, countries like Germany and Canada offer strong purchasing power despite lower nominal figures because everyday expenses are more affordable.
For professionals considering relocation, the PPP-adjusted salary provides a much more accurate picture of expected living standards. Our salary calculator can help you estimate your after-tax income in different countries, giving you a clearer basis for comparison.
Housing costs represent the single largest variable in cost-of-living calculations. In cities like Zurich, London, and San Francisco, housing can consume 35-45% of gross income, while in cities like Berlin, Austin, or Melbourne, this figure is typically 20-30%.
Data Sources and Methodology
This dataset combines data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average wage database, the International Labour Organization (ILO) global wage reports, and individual national statistics offices. All figures represent gross annual salaries for full-time employees across all sectors and experience levels.
Currency conversions to USD use the average exchange rate for Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. Purchasing power parity adjustments are based on the latest World Bank International Comparison Program data, which accounts for price differences across countries for a standardized basket of goods and services.
It is important to note that average salaries can be skewed upward by high earners. Median salary figures are generally more representative of typical earnings and are included wherever reliable data is available.