BRUSSELS, January 7, 2021 — Junior, ‘entry level’ professional staff in Belgium are the 4th best paid compared to their peers across Europe, while their ‘middle manager’ colleagues rank 7th, salary research from Willis Towers Watson revealed today.
The results showed that the typical entry level professional employee in Belgium earns a gross base salary of €47,849, which ranks 4th highest among 20 leading European economies. The typical middle manager in Belgium earns €96,386 gross a year, putting them in 7th spot.
In its latest Global 50 Remuneration Planning Report, Willis Towers Watson - the global advisory, broking and solutions company – found that, for both levels of seniority, workers in Switzerland were the best paid in Europe, with entry level staff taking €82,969 and middle managers €148,000.
“Due to the high taxation in Belgium we see that companies not only look at their level of compensation but also at other benefits to ensure a competitive package for their employees.”
Chaimae Azzouz | Team Leader Global Data Services
Chaimae Azzouz, Team Leader Global Data Services for Willis Towers Watson in Belgium said: “Due to the high taxation in Belgium we see that companies not only look at their level of compensation but also at other benefits such as company cars and meal vouchers to ensure a competitive package for their employees comparable to employees in other countries.”
The study also looked at tax burdens across the continent and found that Belgian workers get far less take-home pay than their peers. With a gross salary equivalent to US$50,000 (€45,448), a worker in Belgium would take home 63% of that amount, leaving US$31,043 (€28,217), which is the one of the lowest rates in Europe, and ranks 18th.
By comparison, a Dutch worker would take home 72%, leaving US$36,208 (€32,912) and ranking 7th. And Swiss workers also lead the take-home pay league, with US$41,629 (€37,839), or 83% of a gross pay, of US$50,000 retained.
The Willis Towers Watson Global 50 Remuneration Planning Report is designed for multinationals that need reliable and consistent compensation, benefit and economic information. It contains the latest data on remuneration practices in 60 major economies worldwide. The 2020/2021 report is available to purchase in full here.
