Portuguese salaries are lower than Northern Europe but the gap is narrowing, especially in tech. All figures are annual gross in EUR, based on 14 monthly payments (standard in Portugal). Sources: ERI Economic Research Institute, Glassdoor, PayScale, SalaryExpert.
Minimum wage: €920/month = €12,880/year (14 payments)
Average national salary: ~€18,000-20,000/year
Lisbon/Porto premium: +10-20% above national average
Tax brackets: 14.5% to 48% progressive + 11% social security
Technology
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €36,000 | €52,500 | €64,000 | 7.5/10 |
| Data Analyst | €20,000 | €28,000 | €42,000 | 6.9/10 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | €25,000 | €37,000 | €56,000 | 7.1/10 |
| Ai Engineer | €34,000 | €50,000 | €66,000 | 7.5/10 |
Healthcare
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse | €22,200 | €31,400 | €38,800 | 6.9/10 |
| Doctor | €57,400 | €85,000 | €110,000 | 7.5/10 |
| Dentist | €30,000 | €52,000 | €78,000 | 7.3/10 |
| Pharmacist | €25,000 | €42,300 | €55,000 | 7.1/10 |
| Caregiver | €13,100 | €17,200 | €20,000 | 5.6/10 |
Trades
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | €20,000 | €30,800 | €36,000 | 6.4/10 |
| Plumber | €19,000 | €29,400 | €35,000 | 6.4/10 |
| Welder | €18,000 | €27,400 | €33,000 | 6.0/10 |
| Construction Worker | €17,000 | €23,300 | €28,000 | 5.8/10 |
| Truck Driver | €18,000 | €24,900 | €30,000 | 5.8/10 |
Engineering
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | €28,000 | €46,700 | €58,000 | 7.1/10 |
| Civil Engineer | €27,000 | €45,600 | €56,000 | 7.1/10 |
| Architect | €31,500 | €45,700 | €56,000 | 7.1/10 |
Education & Hospitality
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | €23,200 | €32,700 | €39,600 | 6.4/10 |
| Chef | €21,300 | €29,700 | €35,800 | 6.9/10 |
| Hotel Manager | €42,600 | €63,200 | €77,600 | 7.5/10 |
Finance
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant | €21,000 | €35,000 | €51,000 | 6.9/10 |
| Financial Analyst | €21,500 | €27,100 | €37,000 | 6.9/10 |
Design & Marketing
| Profession | Entry-Level | Average | Senior | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | €17,000 | €25,000 | €35,000 | 6.7/10 |
| Ux Designer | €20,000 | €30,000 | €45,000 | 6.9/10 |
| Digital Marketer | €18,000 | €28,000 | €40,000 | 6.9/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in Portugal in 2026?
The Portuguese minimum wage is €920/month (€12,880/year with 14 payments). Average salaries vary widely: tech workers earn €28,000-52,500/year, healthcare €17,200-85,000, trades €23,300-30,800, and hospitality €17,200-63,200. Lisbon and Porto pay 10-20% above national averages.
How many monthly salaries does Portugal pay?
Portugal pays 14 monthly salaries per year: 12 regular months plus a Christmas subsidy (13th month) and a holiday subsidy (14th month, paid in June/July). All salary figures in this guide are annual gross including these extra payments.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Portugal?
The highest-paying professions are: Doctor (€85,000 avg), Hotel Manager (€63,200), Software Engineer (€52,500), Dentist (€52,000), and AI Engineer (€50,000). Tech salaries have risen significantly due to the growing startup ecosystem.
How much tax do I pay on salary in Portugal?
Portugal uses progressive tax rates from 14.5% to 48%. A €35,000 salary results in approximately 25-28% effective tax rate. Social security adds 11% (employee) + 23.75% (employer). The NHR regime ended for new applicants in 2024.
Are Portugal salaries enough to live comfortably?
It depends on the profession and city. Software engineers (€2,800 net/month) live comfortably even in Lisbon. Nurses (€1,600 net) manage in Porto/Braga but struggle in Lisbon. Construction workers (€1,300 net) need budget-friendly locations like Braga or Faro.
Sources: ERI Economic Research Institute, ERI SalaryExpert, Glassdoor Portugal, PayScale Portugal, RemotePeople, KoronaPay. All data verified March 2026.
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