How much do teachers earn across Europe?
Real annual earnings for primary education teachers vary drastically depending on the national economy and local wage structures. According to the OECD "Education at a Glance 2026" report, the top five earners in 2025 were Iceland (€73,752), Ireland (€69,747), Germany (€69,453), Austria (€65,851), and Denmark, which leads the overall range at €74,086 for primary education.
These figures represent the average annual income for full-time educators aged 25–64 before taxes. These "real earnings" are comprehensive, encompassing not just the base salary but also performance bonuses, additional pay for working on holidays, and other work-related allowances. This holistic view provides a clearer picture of the total compensation package available to educators in these high-earning nations.
Other nations providing salaries above €50,000 include Norway (€59,453), the Flemish Community of Belgium (€59,105), Northern Ireland (€57,838), Scotland (€57,619), the French Community of Belgium (€55,689), Wales (€52,894), Finland (€52,272), and England (€50,727). In contrast, several countries struggle to reach the €25,000 threshold. These include the Czech Republic (€24,457), Hungary (€23,181), Slovakia (€22,936), Romania (€20,805), Latvia (€20,516), Greece (€18,746), and Turkey (€18,669).
The gap between major economies
Among the largest European economies, Germany maintains the highest pay for educators, according to Euronews. The United Kingdom shows a high level of consistency across its four constituent nations, with all regions—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—exceeding the €50,000 mark. However, the landscape changes significantly as we move through the continent: France follows at €41,968, while Italy sits at the bottom of the major economy group with €32,100. Notably, data for Spain's teacher salaries was not available for this comparison.
Why does purchasing power matter for teacher pay?
Nominal salary figures often fail to reflect the actual standard of living available to educators in different regions. In countries with a high cost of living, even a relatively high salary might result in less actual buying power compared to a country where prices are lower. To account for this, Euronews Business adjusted OECD data using Eurostat purchasing power parity (PPS) to measure how many goods and services a salary can actually buy.
The PPS metric uses average EU prices as a baseline, whereas the OECD uses US dollar-denominated purchasing power parity for international comparisons. When adjusted for this purchasing power, Germany emerges as the clear leader, offering the highest real economic benefit to its teachers. This means that, in practical terms, German teachers' gross earnings correspond to a larger quantity of goods and services than in other nations.
The adjusted annual salaries for primary teachers range from 21,456 PPS in Greece to 64,143 PPS in Germany. The top five systems for purchasing power are Germany, Austria (58,265 PPS), Denmark (53,036 PPS), Ireland (51,226 PPS), and the Flemish Community of Belgium (50,846 PPS). Conversely, teachers in Greece (21,456 PPS), Latvia (24,670 PPS), Slovakia (26,916 PPS), the Czech Republic (27,349 PPS), and Estonia (28,197 PPS) experience the lowest purchasing power. This adjustment reveals significant shifts in relative standing: countries like Turkey and Poland see a rise in their rank when cost-of-living factors are considered, whereas countries like Iceland see a significant drop from their nominal ranking.
What is the difference between primary and secondary teacher pay?
In most European systems, teachers in higher secondary education earn more than their primary school counterparts, though this is not a universal rule. For secondary education, salaries range from €17,615 in Turkey to €93,938 in Iceland. Denmark and Germany also see secondary salaries exceeding €80,000. The most significant wage gaps favoring secondary educators are found in Iceland, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, and Germany, where secondary teachers earn at least €10,000 more than those in primary education.
However, there are notable exceptions to this trend. In Turkey and Northern Ireland, primary teachers actually earn more than their secondary colleagues. In Scotland, Lithuania, and Estonia, the salaries remain identical across both educational levels. These variations highlight how different national policies shape the economic incentives for educators at different stages of the schooling system.
Why is there a shortage of qualified educators?
The primary driver for teacher shortages is a lack of competitive compensation compared to other professionals with similar qualifications. Daniel Wiesniewski, Secretary General of the European Employers' Confederation in the Education Sector, noted that salary differences are driven by a complex web of factors, including national income levels, required qualifications, wage structures, and career progression opportunities, rather than a single cause. He also pointed out that differences in taxation, social benefits, and allowances make direct comparisons between countries difficult.
Data indicates that in OECD countries, the real earnings of primary and general secondary teachers average only 87% to 95% of what workers with tertiary education earn in other sectors. This creates a significant disadvantage for the profession; highly qualified individuals often opt for different career paths where their expertise is more highly rewarded. Jāmer Evers of the European Trade Union Confederation for Education argued that educators should be paid at least as much as other workers with equivalent responsibilities to reflect the social importance and complexity of the profession.
FAQ: Teacher Salaries in Europe
Which country has the highest teacher salary in Europe?
Denmark and Iceland are among the top earners. According to the OECD 2026 report, primary teachers in Denmark can earn up to €74,086, while Iceland leads the secondary education sector with earnings reaching €93,938 per year.
Is a high salary always better for teachers?
Not necessarily, because purchasing power parity (PPS) is a crucial factor. A high nominal salary in a country with a very high cost of living may provide less actual buying power than a lower salary in a more affordable country.
How does teacher pay compare to other professionals?
Teachers generally earn less than other professionals with similar university degrees. In OECD countries, teacher salaries typically range between 87% and 95% of the earnings seen by other tertiary-educated workers in different industries.
Why are salaries so low in Greece and Turkey?
Low salaries in these regions are linked to lower national income levels and specific national wage structures. In 2025, Greece and Turkey recorded some of the lowest real annual earnings, at €18,746 and €18,669 respectively.
Does secondary education pay more than primary?
Generally, yes, but there are exceptions. While countries like Germany and Iceland show significant pay increases for secondary teachers, countries like Turkey and Northern Ireland actually pay primary teachers more than secondary ones.
Key takeaways
- Denmark and Iceland lead Europe in nominal teacher earnings for 2025.
- Germany provides the highest purchasing power for educators after cost-of-living adjustments.
- Teacher pay typically lags behind other tertiary-educated professionals by 5% to 13%.
- Significant pay disparities exist between primary and secondary education levels across the continent.
The future of the European education workforce
The widening gap between teacher compensation and the cost of living, alongside the disparity between educators and other skilled professionals, poses a structural risk to European education systems. While high nominal wages in Northern Europe provide a buffer, the lack of competitive pay in Southern and Eastern Europe threatens the long-term stability of the teaching workforce. Addressing these inequities requires more than just increasing base salaries; it necessitates a holistic approach to professional progression, social benefits, and ensuring that the economic value of teaching matches its societal importance.
