It’s no news that the European tech startup scene is expanding. Companies are adding more and more digital services to their offering in order to stay relevant.
As a consequence, the demand for skilled developers is growing significantly. This has serious implications for companies looking to hire new developers without breaking the bank.
In a recent study of the European tech talent landscape in 2016, engineering positions (developers included) were ranked as the most difficult to fill, and 43 percent of survey respondents said this was due to a lack of specialist or technical skills.
According to the study, although developers are generally satisfied with their work, they still change jobs regularly. 20 to 41 percent of the developers had changed jobs in the past year.
The most common reasons for moving on to new opportunities were career advancement (46%) and better salaries (36%).
Below, we take a look at the top 10 most expensive countries to hire a Python developer. Where applicable, we provide more detailed information on the salary levels for specific careers. Where does your country stack up?
(Interested in a different region? Read Top 10 Most Expensive Cities to Hire Python Devs in the US & Canada)
#10. Austria
- Average salary: $51,148 (£40,083)
- 28% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
#9. Finland
- Average salary: $51,186 (£40,112)
- Helsinki ranks as the #11 top European city for IT startups.
- 24% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in Finland are:
- Helsinki, $49,599 (€46,552)
- Espoo, $48,265 (€45,300)
- Oulu, $41,661 (€39,102)
#8. Netherlands
- Average salary: $53,889 (£42,213)
- Amsterdam ranks as the #4 top European city for IT startups.
- 29% of developers changed jobs in last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in the Netherlands are:
- Amsterdam, $50,002 (€46,930)
- Rotterdam, $44,749 (€42,000)
- Utrecht, $43,850 (€41,156)
#7. Germany
- Average salary: $58,176 (£45,596)
- Berlin ranks as the #2 top European city for IT startups. Munich ranks as #12.
- 25% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in Germany are:
- Frankfurt, $56,469 (€53,000)
- Dusseldorf, $56,256 (€52,800)
- Munich, $55,234 (€51,841)
#6. Sweden
- Average salary: $59,011 (£46,251)
- Stockholm ranks as the #7 top European city for IT startups.
- 28% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in Sweden are:
- Linköping, $61,355
- Stockholm, $59,657
- Gothenburg, $59,388
#5. Republic of Ireland
- Average salary: $66,522 (£52,145)
- Dublin ranks the #8 top European city for IT startups.
- 37% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in Ireland are:
- Galway, $57,624 (€54,084)
- Limerick, $55,670 (€52,250)
- Dublin, $52,298 (€49,085)
#4. United Kingdom
- Average salary: $70,500 (£55,263)
- London ranks as the #1 top European city for IT startups, and it’s the most popular destination for developers looking to work abroad.
- 32% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in UK are:
- London, $53,023 (£41,756)
- Cambridge, $49,745 (£39,175)
- Oxford, $45,514 (£35,843)
#3. Denmark
- Average salary: $75,758 (£59,285)
- Copenhagen ranks as the #9 top European cities for IT startups.
- 31% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
#2. Norway
- Average salary: $86,042 (£67,445)
- 20% of developers changed jobs in last year.
#1. Switzerland
- Average salary: $90,524 (£70,958)
- Zurich ranks as the #15 top European cities for IT startups.
- 20% of developers changed jobs in the last year.
The top 3 cities for Python developer salaries in Switzerland are:
- Zurich, $101,360 (CHF 102,409)
- Baden, $95,066 (CHF 96,050)
- Lausanne, $80,049 (CHF 80,878)
What does this mean for CTOs, VPs, and Heads of Engineering?
It means that the IT hiring landscape is becoming more challenging and competitive. The salaries that developers can demand will continue to increase. If you’re looking to make important hiring decisions soon, such salary considerations should be taken into account, especially when comparing in-house hiring versus outsourcing.
Salary is often the measuring stick when deciding whether to hire a developer in-house or outsource, and a miscalculation in this area can cost you. In fact, in-house employees come with numerous substantial and oft-ignored costs involved in hiring, maintaining, and terminating employment, costs which are not reflected in the salary.
Rule number one: a developer is always, always, always more expensive than their salary.
If you want lower costs, more comfortable budget positions, and higher profit margins, calculating the true cost of in-house software development is essential. That’s why we’ve put together a short, helpful guide to show you exactly how to do it.
Download the free ebook and start making better hiring decisions today.
Stat Resources:
Country Ranks & Average Salaries - Business Insider: The 15 countries where developers get paid the most in Europe
City Startup Rankings & Talent Landscape Facts: The European Talent Landscape Report
Python Salary Rankings by City: Payscale
