Teacher Salaries in the EU: A Ranking of Countries

The start of the school year in European Union member states traditionally brings the discussion of teachers’ pay back to the forefront. Unions and education experts point to stagnant wages and a shortage of teachers, while the gap between countries remains significant. Euronews reports on this.

In this article, we’ll look at which EU countries had the highest and lowest teacher salaries in the 2024/2025 school year, how long it takes to reach the peak of one’s career, and what the situation is like in France.

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In which EU country do teachers earn the highest salaries?

The highest salaries for teachers in the EU during the 2024/2025 school year were paid in Luxembourg. According to the Eurydice network, in the Grand Duchy, teachers at the beginning of their careers earned between 55,000 and 62,000 euros per year, and those at the top of their careers earned between 97,000 and 109,000 euros. Second place was taken by the Netherlands and Germany—the exact figure depends on the teacher’s level of education and career stage.

Salaries for school staff constitute the largest expense in formal education. Despite this, in most European countries, teachers are considered underpaid compared to other professionals with higher education—according to some studies, their starting salaries are approximately 40% lower.

Read more about minimum wages in Europe in 2026 — follow the link.

In which EU countries do teachers earn the least?

The lowest salaries for teachers at the peak of their careers in the 2024/2025 school year were recorded in three EU countries. The figures were as follows:

• Slovakia — from 18,000 to 22,000 euros per year;
• Hungary—up to 27,000 euros per year;
• Czech Republic—up to 27,000 euros per year.

At the start of their careers, teachers in Greece and Slovakia earned the least—their annual salaries did not exceed 17,000 euros. The specific amount within these ranges depends on the level of education at which the teacher works.

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How many years does it take for teachers to reach the peak of their careers?

The speed at which a teacher advances up the career ladder depends on their role and responsibilities, years of experience, age, level of qualification, and performance. In 11 EU countries, the path to the top of the career ladder takes between 31 and 40 years—depending on the educational level at which the teacher works.

Teachers in Denmark and Finland have the shortest path to the peak of their careers. In these two countries, about 10 years of experience is sufficient to reach the highest pay grade.

The top 5 EU countries for starting an offline business in 2026—listed here.

Where is the greatest growth in teachers’ salaries projected?

As teachers advance up the career ladder, their compensation also increases. This factor influences the attractiveness of the profession and staff retention rates in schools. According to a 2025 OECD study, higher teacher salaries correlate with improved student academic performance.

Among EU countries, the greatest salary growth from the start of a career to its peak is projected in four nations: Cyprus, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Slovenia.

Read also: Where do people earn more? We compare salaries and job openings in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

Teacher Salaries in France and the Impact of Inflation

The issue of teachers’ pay has once again come to the forefront in France. The Ministry of Education reported that in 2024, a general education school teacher earned an average of 3,090 euros net per month. This figure covers all categories—school teachers, certified educators, associate professors, and full professors. Contract teachers, who make up 8% of the teaching staff and receive the lowest salaries, are not included in the calculation.

French educators were among the top five EU countries where wages failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living. Between the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 school years, their wages decreased by 0.61% in real terms. Further down the list were Romania (-6.34%), Slovakia (-4.07%), Italy (-1.60%), and the French Community of Belgium (-0.71%).

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Reminder! In a previous article, we discussed which IT professions most often offer salaries starting at $5,000.

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