General information

Teacher Salaries in Europe – How Much Do Teachers Earn Abroad?

Last month we celebrated World Teacher’s Day. It’s a great opportunity to highlight the important role teachers play in society. They are responsible for the quality of education and the upbringing of future generations. Is their profession adequately compensated?

Teacher Salaries in Europe in 2024

Are you curious about how much teachers earn abroad and how this compares to the salary of a Polish teacher?

Teacher salaries in Europe change from year to year. In addition to economic factors, considerations include the teacher’s education and qualifications, years of experience, and the type and location of the educational institution where they teach.

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Teacher Salaries in Poland – What Does It Include?

In 2024, the situation of teachers in Poland has significantly improved, as their salaries have increased by over 30%. The raise aims to bring the status of Polish teachers closer to European standards, but primarily it seeks to encourage young people to choose this profession and address staff shortages in the sector.

So, how much do teachers earn in Poland?

– Teacher with a Masters degree and pedagogical qualification

(95% of all teachers):

  • Beginner – 4,908 PLN gross
  • Appointed – 5,057 PLN gross
  • Certified – 5,915 PLN gross

– Teacher with other qualifications:

  • Beginner – 4,788 PLN gross
  • Appointed – 4,910 PLN gross
  • Certified – 5,148 PLN gross

Furthermore, teachers are entitled to additional components of their salary as specified in the Teacher’s Charter, including:

  • Seniority allowance, based on the length of service in education
  • Motivational allowance for work achievements
  • Allowance for working conditions if they are difficult and affect the teacher’s  comfort and health
  • Allowance for holding managerial positions
  • Allowance for working in special schools
  • Allowance for working in hard-to-reach locations
  • Allowance for extra-curricular activities
  • The so-called “Thirteenth” salary
  • Vacation benefits

In addition, teachers receive jubilee awards based on their length of service. The amounts typically are:

– 20 years of work – 1,000 PLN

– 30 years of work – 2,000 PLN

– 40 years of work – 3,000 PLN

What Are Teacher Salaries Like in Europe?

European countries that offer the highest salaries for teachers include Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Austria. These are well-developed countries with stable economies.

The teaching profession in these countries has prestige and is generally desirable due to high salaries, job stability, and a focus on continuous professional development.

Let’s take a look at the average monthly salaries of teachers in Europe in 2024.

CountryLowest monthly salaryAverage monthly salaryHighest monthly salary
Germany1300 EUR 2900 EUR4200 EUR
Netherlands3200 EUR 5000 EUR9300 EUR
France2200 EUR 3000 EUR4500 EUR
Luxembourg5500 EUR6000 EUR9000 EUR
Austria2000 EUR3900 EUR7000 EUR
Switzerland5500 EUR 6200 EUR8000 EUR
Sweden2750 EUR 3400 EUR4400 EUR
Norway3370 EUR5000 EUR9000 EUR
Denmark2600 EUR 5600 EUR9000 EUR
Finland1750 EUR3500 EUR5500 EUR
Spain1200 EUR2550 EUR3450 EUR
Italy1500 EUR2550 EUR4300 EUR

“Poland allocates 4.6% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to educational institutions at all levels, from primary to higher education, including research and development. This is less than the OECD average of 4.9% of GDP,” reports the OECD report from 2023.

The situation in other OECD countries is as follows:

Norway, Sweden, Denmark – 6-7%

Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany – 5-6%

Slovenia, Italy – 4%

Greece, Lithuania, Ireland – 3%

Teachers in Poland and Europe – Who Works in the Profession?

Many graduates of pedagogical studies in Poland are not particularly interested in working as teachers due to unsatisfactory salaries and the high stress associated with the job. In Western Europe, staffing shortages are not as pronounced.

Both in Poland and other European countries, the teaching profession is predominantly occupied by women. In Poland, they make up about 80%. This is especially noticeable in primary schools.

Let’s note one more fact. The demand for teachers is dependent on birth rates, which have a declining trend in Europe.

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