In the first quarter of 2025, the median salary in the Netherlands has seen a notable increase, rising to €3,458.06. This figure represents a 3.5% growth compared to the end of 2024, as reported by Van Spaendonck's latest wage index. This index, which is based on over 1.2 million payslips from 145,000 companies, highlights a significant upward trend in earnings for many employees across the country.
The increase of 3.5% is particularly striking when compared to the more modest salary growth observed in the latter half of 2024, where wages rose by just 1.2% in the third quarter and 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Typically, many employers implement salary increases at the beginning of the year, which often leads to a spike in wage growth during the first quarter. This year is no exception, with many workers benefiting from these adjustments.
Since 2018, the median salary in the Netherlands has increased by nearly 29%, indicating a long-term trend of rising wages. This consistent growth reflects ongoing investments by employers in their workforce, contributing to improved financial conditions for many households.
Interestingly, the wage index reveals a significant disparity between employees covered by collective labor agreements (CAOs) and those who are not. The median salary for employees within CAOs currently stands at €3,350, while those without CAOs earn a median salary of €3,862.50, which is over 15% higher. This disparity can largely be attributed to the types of roles and responsibilities held by these workers.
Employees covered by CAOs have seen their wages increase by 34.6% since 2018, while those not under such agreements have experienced a 28.8% increase. This data underscores the importance of collective bargaining in securing better pay and conditions for workers.
Regional differences also play a significant role in salary levels across the Netherlands. Utrecht boasts the highest median salary at €3,639.28, followed closely by Noord-Holland at €3,611.11 and Zuid-Holland at €3,600.00. In contrast, provinces such as Zeeland, Groningen, and Limburg report median salaries below €3,300. Notably, Limburg has shown the strongest growth in salaries, with a 4.6% increase in the most recent quarter, surpassing the increases seen in Zeeland (3.9%) and Groningen (2.5%).
The data also reveals interesting trends in salary increases among various job functions. The most substantial increases were observed in supervisory roles, which saw an impressive rise of 11.4%, followed by finance employees with a 10.8% increase and sales functions at 10.3%. Additionally, specific sectors under collective labor agreements have experienced remarkable wage growth, with research institutions reporting a staggering 13.9% increase, while cinema workers and those in open cultivation sectors saw increases of 13.4% and 13.3%, respectively.
Gender pay disparities continue to exist, although the gap is slowly narrowing. Since 2018, the average monthly salary for men has risen by 31.7%, while women have experienced a more substantial increase of 35.4%. Despite this progress, women still earn less than men on average, a disparity influenced by the types of roles they typically occupy. Within identical job functions, the adjusted gender pay gap stands at just 1.8%, indicating that when women and men perform the same roles, the differences in pay are significantly reduced.
The ongoing changes in the labor market highlight the need for businesses to adopt strategic salary policies to attract and retain talent. Employers are encouraged to utilize current data and benchmarks, such as those provided by salary surveys, to ensure their compensation packages remain competitive. This approach not only helps in maintaining a satisfied workforce but also contributes to the overall financial health of companies in the long run.
In summary, the latest findings from Van Spaendonck illustrate a positive trend in wage growth across the Netherlands, with significant increases observed in various sectors and among different demographic groups. As the labor market continues to evolve, it remains crucial for both employees and employers to stay informed about salary trends and to engage in practices that promote fair compensation for all workers.
