In 2026, some people will take home more than $7,700 net per month. And others, however, will remain below $2,000. To earn more, is it enough to move to the country with the highest salaries in the world?
The answer seems simple, but looking only at the average salary today isn’t enough. The updated OECD data and the latest international surveys on average salaries paint a different picture than we expect. Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the United States remain high, but they aren’t always the best choice. Some high-income countries have become cost-of-living traps.
Like in Italy, where salaries are growing slowly, purchasing power is progressively declining, and savings margins remain among the lowest in Europe.
This is the real problem, and anyone considering moving abroad today risks looking at the wrong rankings.
World’s Highest Salary Ranking 2026: The Countries with the Highest Earnings
The ranking updated in March 2026 shows a clear concentration. The highest salaries are found in advanced economies, with highly competitive labor markets and strong demand for skills.
Here are the 30 countries with the highest average monthly net salaries in the world:
| Position | Country | Average Monthly Net Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Switzerland | 7,711 |
| 2 | Luxembourg | 5,546 |
| 3 | Singapore | 4,377 |
| 4 | Denmark | 4,338 |
| 5 | United States | 4,252 |
| 6 | Norway | 4,061 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 4,012 |
| 8 | Australia | 3,951 |
| 9 | Qatar | 3,843 |
| 10 | Israel | 3,699 |
| 11 | Ireland | 3,608 |
| 12 | Germany | 3,550 |
| 13 | Sweden | 3,398 |
| 14 | United Kingdom | 3,348 |
| 15 | Hong Kong | 3,263 |
| 16 | United Arab Emirates | 3,173 |
| 17 | Austria | 3,130 |
| 18 | Belgium | 3,109 |
| 19 | Finland | 3,108 |
| 20 | New Zealand | 3,040 |
| 21 | Kuwait | 2,944 |
| 22 | Puerto Rico | 2,640 |
| 23 | Oman | 2,371 |
| 24 | South Korea | 2,333 |
| 25 | Spain | 2,135 |
| 26 | Saudi Arabia | 2,058 |
| 27 | Japan | 2,042 |
| 28 | Cyprus | 2,012 |
| 29 | Italy | 1,977 |
| 30 | Estonia | 1,912 |
The gap between first and last is enormous. More than three times as large. But looking only at these numbers risks creating easy illusions. The ranking of the highest salaries is also the most misleading.
The highest-paid professions in the world in 2026: how much do you really earn?
The difference isn’t just made by the country. It’s, above all, the job you choose.
In 2026, the highest salaries are concentrated in a few sectors: technology, finance, and healthcare lead the global salary rankings, with compensation that in some cases is several times higher than the national average.
In Switzerland, a medical specialist can earn more than €10,000 net per month, while a senior software engineer consistently earns between €8,000 and €9,000. These are not isolated cases, but rather consolidated levels for those with advanced skills.
In the United States, the technology sector continues to push salaries upward. A software engineer easily exceeds $120,000 annually, with peaks reaching over $150,000 in large companies. Even more sought-after are profiles related to artificial intelligence and data management, where demand is growing faster than supply.
In Luxembourg, finance is the key. Analysts, consultants, and managers can earn between €7,000 and €9,000 per month, with bonuses that significantly impact their overall income.
In Germany, technical professions remain among the most solid and sought-after. A specialized engineer earns between €4,000 and €6,000 per month, with room for growth based on experience and specialization.
In Australia, the healthcare and technical sectors also offer competitive salaries. Doctors, qualified nurses, and STEM professionals are among the most sought-after.
Alongside these professions, new roles are emerging that are increasingly central to global labor markets. Cybersecurity experts, cloud specialists, artificial intelligence engineers. Salaries here are growing faster than in other sectors and often exceed those of traditional professions.
In general, however, there are no countries where everyone earns the same amount. Some skills are highly paid, everywhere. Others, however, are not valued even in the most advanced economies.
This is where any choice should start. Not just by looking at the country that offers the highest average salaries, but by the type of work.
Where people earn and save the most in 2026 (the best countries)
Earning a lot doesn’t automatically mean living better. What matters is what’s left over at the end of the month.
From this perspective, the ranking changes. When income and cost of living are combined, some countries that appear to be the best on paper begin to lose strength, while others become much more attractive than their salary numbers suggest.
Switzerland remains almost unique. Not only for its high salaries, but for its ability to convert them into real savings. On average, people put aside over $900 a month, a level few other countries can match.
Northern European countries rank just behind. In Sweden and Norway, the system works differently. Public services are efficient, welfare covers many expenses, and employment is stable. The result is a balance that allows people to save even without the highest salaries in the world.
Germany and Australia also offer a good compromise. Salaries are good, and the cost of living, though high in some cities, remains proportionate to earnings.
In the Netherlands, something even more interesting is happening. People work fewer hours than the European average, but with competitive wages and a high quality of life. Over time, this also translates into a greater ability to save.
In the United States, salaries are among the highest in the world, but at the end of the month, there is often less left than expected. A good portion of income goes to rent, healthcare, and education.
The United Kingdom is even more extreme. In some cases, people spend more than they earn. The salary is high, but it’s not enough to cover all current expenses.
So it’s not just how much you earn that matters, but how much you can save. Because that’s where the ability to build something over time lies.
Here’s a ranking updated with the latest OECD data of average annual salaries at purchasing power parity (PPP):
| Position | Country | Average annual salary (PPP USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxembourg | 90,000 |
| 2 | Iceland | 87,000 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 83,000 |
| 4 | United States | 80,000 |
| 5 | Belgium | 76,000 |
| 6 | Denmark | 75,000 |
| 7 | Netherlands | 74,000 |
| 8 | Norway | 73,000 |
| 9 | Australia | 67,000 |
| 10 | Germany | 63,000 |
| 11 | Sweden | 60,000 |
| 12 | France | 59,000 |
| 13 | United Kingdom | 54,000 |
| 14 | Italy | 44,000 |
| 15 | Spain | 40,000 |
Note: The OECD report is based on average annual salaries across 15 countries, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), to ensure fair comparisons across economies.
Original article published on Money.it Italy. Original title: Stipendi più alti al mondo, ecco i Paesi dove si guadagna di più-
