Average Salary in Portugal: Salaries by City and Experience

The average monthly salary for full-time workers in Portugal is €1,091 after taxes, while part-time workers earn an average of €4.38 per hour.

If you’re thrilled that the salary structure is slightly higher than in most European countries, you should pause and consider other factors before choosing it as your career destination.   While Portugal’s average income provides a general overview, it is important to consider facts like industry-specific salaries and regional variations. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of the salary data in Portugal. 

Overview

• The average salary in Portugal per month for a full-time worker is € 1091 after the tax cut.
• The average income in Portugal for a part-time worker is € 4.38 per hour.
• Top Job Sectors in Portugal
  • Hospitality and travel: € 48,986 per year
  • Health Care and Social Services: € 26,697 per year
  • Food Services: € 25,500 per year
  • Retail, Cosmetics & Customer Service: € 24,387 per year
• Top Companies in Portugal: EDP Group, Galp Energia, Jerónimo Martins, Banco Comercial Português, GamaLife, The Navigator Company, Sonae, NOS, REN (Redes Energéticas Nacionais).

Do you know?

• Portugal saw a positive job market trend in July this year, with the unemployment rate dropping from 6.7% to 6.2%.[1]
• Portugal’s economy is forecasted to expand by 1.7% this year, followed by a rebound to 1.9% in 2025.[2 ]
• The Expat Insider 2024 survey ranks Portugal 15th out of 53 countries, with 7th in Quality of Life and 15th in Ease of Settling In.[3]

Factors affecting salary in Portugal

Salary by education level and experience 

In Portugal, individuals with bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees typically earn higher salaries due to the demand for specialized skills. Additionally, professionals with more experience often have higher earning potential due to their accumulated skills and industry networks.

Economic factors affecting salaries

Several economic factors also influence salary levels in Portugal. Factors like GDP growth, unemployment rates and inflation can directly impact wage growth. 

During periods of economic expansion, businesses may be more inclined to increase wages to attract and retain talent. Additionally, government policies such as minimum wage legislation and tax regulations can set the baseline for salaries and influence overall wage structures.

Choice of industry 

Salaries can vary significantly across different industries. Sectors such as technology, Finance and Healthcare typically offer higher compensation due to the high demand for skilled professionals and the critical nature of these job roles. 

Location 

Urban areas like Porto and Lisbon, tend to offer higher wages due to the concentration of businesses and higher cost of living. 

Occupation 

Certain occupations, like engineering or management, often have higher demand and better compensation compared to roles like translation.

Size of the company 

Larger companies often have higher payroll budgets and can afford to pay more competitive salaries than smaller businesses.

Average salary for full-time worker in Portugal: (€ 1091 after tax cut)

Portugal’s thriving job market offers opportunities across various industries. Before making any career decisions, it’s best to create a  Portugal salary comparison to ensure financial sustainability. Below is a summary of Portugal’s salary trends across some key industries, featuring some of the highest-paying positions:

Source: Talent 

The following are details of the basic salary in Portugal across diverse job roles under specific industries:

Health care and social services: Average salary – € 26,697 annually

Source: Talent 

Food services: Average salary – € 25,500 annually

Source: Talent 

Retail, cosmetics & customer service: Average salary – € 24,387 annually

Source: Talent 

Engineering: Average salary – € 20,691 annually 

Source: Talent 

Marketing & sales: Average salary – € 20,225 annually

Source: Talent 

Average salary for part-time workers in Portugal

The average income in Portugal for a part-time worker is € 4.38 per hour.

Students can benefit from the flexibility of part-time employment to manage their studies and income. Here are some of the most common part-time jobs available for students in Portugal: 

Source: Leverageedu

Average salary in Portugal: Citywise

The provincial salary variations in Portugal are as follows:

Source: LivingCost (Refer citywise pages)

Also Read: Common money mistakes to avoid when living abroad.

Highest paying jobs in Portugal

High-paying jobs in Portugal are often found in Law, Healthcare, Information Technology and Finance sector. Professionals with advanced degrees, certifications and experience are in high demand and can expect competitive salaries and benefits. Here is an overview of some of the highest-paying jobs in Portugal:

Source: Grab Jobs

Lowest/minimum paying jobs in Portugal

Portugal has a government-mandated minimum wage, ensuring workers receive a fair basic salary in Portugal. As of September 2024, the minimum wage varies slightly depending on the region:

Source: Wageindicator.org

Here is a list of some of the lowest-paying jobs in Portugal: 

Source: Paylab

Salary with respect to experience

In Portugal, employers prioritize candidates with relevant experience, especially in competitive fields like technology, finance, and healthcare. Experience often leads to increased responsibilities, promotions, and higher-paying roles.

Here is a brief overview of the increase in pay scale in Portugal based on years of experience: 

Source: SalaryExplorer

Also Read: A quick guide to building a saving habit

Difference between median & average (mean) salary

Two key metrics – Portugal’s median income and mean income provide valuable insights into the average earnings of the country’s workforce. The mean income, also known as the average income, is calculated by summing up the incomes of all individuals and dividing the total by the number of earners.

Here is an example:

Here is how you can calculate the mean income:

(€ 60,000 + € 75,000 + € 80,000 + € 90,000 + € 150,000)/5 = € 93,000.

Therefore the mean income in this example is € 93,000.

The median income, on the other hand, represents the middle value in a dataset when the values are arranged in ascending order. It offers a more accurate representation of the typical income level, as it is not influenced by extreme values. 

Using the same example as before, the median income is € 80,000.

Before you go…

Before moving to Portugal, research  Portugal’s average income within your field and target role. Beyond salary, financial planning is essential for a smooth transition to Portugal. A reliable international money transfer service is indispensable to send money to India from Portugal whenever needed. 

For this, Instarem is a secure and efficient solution that ensures quick processing* of funds that prove beneficial during emergencies. Moreover, Instarem’s competitive currency exchange rates, offer an affordable# and accessible option for all expats, be it for working individuals or students to transfer money for education. 

Instarem’s user-friendly app is now available on the App Store and Google Play. It simplifies the process of managing international transfers from anywhere in the world. 

FAQs

Q. What is the current average salary in Portugal?

The current average salary in Portugal per month for a full-time worker is € 1091 after the tax cut.

Q. What is a good salary in Portugal?

A monthly income in Portugal of € 1091 or more can offer a comfortable lifestyle in Portugal, though individual needs may influence financial requirements.

Q. Which job has the highest salary in Portugal?

Job roles with high income in Portugal are often related to managerial roles and sectors like Healthcare, Finance, Law and Information Technology. 

Q. Which job has the lowest salary in Portugal?

Nursery School Teacher Assistants have the lowest income in Portugal, with an average monthly salary of € 879. 

Q. What is the average salary in Portugal for IT professionals?

The average salary in Portugal for IT professionals is around € 17,719 per year. 

Q. What is the average salary in Portugal per month for an Indian?

Earnings in Portugal vary by job role, industry, and location, but Indian nationals can expect an average wage of around €1091 per month.

Q. How do you find a job in Portugal?

You can find a job in Portugal by applying on foreigner-friendly websites like LinkedIn and Indeed or registering with an Institute for Employment and Vocational Training Centre or employment service. 

Other related blogs:

Germany – Average Salary in Germany

Australia – Average Salary in Australia

USA – Average Salary in USA

Canada – Average Salary in Canada

UK – Average Salary in UK

Singapore – Average salary in Singapore

Ireland – Average Salary in Ireland

Malaysia – Average salary in Malaysia

Japan – Average Salary in Japan

Switzerland – Average Salary in Switzerland

New Zealand – Average Salary in New Zealand

Disclaimers:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with the products or vendors mentioned.

* Fast meaning 75% of our transactions are completed in 15 minutes. Depending on the funding method.

#When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. Credit card funding and bank transfer fees can differ significantly. 

The currencies have been converted using the Forbes Currency Converter on 05th September 2024.

Citations

• https://tradingeconomics.com/portugal/unemployment-rate#:~:text=Unemployment%20Rate%20in%20Portugal%20decreased,source%3A%20Statistics%20Portugal [1]
• https://economy-Finance.ec.europa.eu/economic-surveillance-eu-economies/portugal/economic-forecast-portugal_en [2]
• https://www.internations.org/expat-insider/2024/portugal-40470 [3]