Job satisfaction and finding a company culture that suits you are two of the top priorities when looking for a job, but sometimes a big paycheck can make the decision easier. According to the Belgium Statistics Office (BSA), full-time employees in Belgium receive an average gross salary of 3,445 euros a month. However, since this is a mathematical median, in reality only 33% of people actually earn this much or more.
You may wonder why salaries aren’t all the same. This is because pay can vary due to several factors, and the most important is the industry sector you work in. Wherever you are in Belgium, some salaries may be higher than others depending on the sector you’re in. Let’s now take a closer look at the top 10 best paying industries in Belgium:
1. Petrochemical Industry
The petrochemical industry has an average salary of €5,282, that is 54% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the petrochemical sector are Total Petrochemical & Refining, Monument Chemical and Total Research & Technology Feluy.
2. Management Consultancy
Management consultants who are involved in the activities of head offices earn an average salary of €4,864, that is 41% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the management consultancy sector are Threon, Mercuri Urval and Ayming Belgium.
3. Computer Programming & Consultancy
The computer programming and consultancy industry has an average salary of €4,485, that is 30% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in this sector are Cisco Systems Belgium, NRB and Delaware.
4. Financial Services
The finance industry, not including services such as insurance and pension funding, offers an average salary of €4,455, that is 29% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the financial sector are Belgium Fuel Card, Vesting Finance and Belga Films Fund.
5. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
The pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, including development and creation of basic pharmaceutical products and preparations, offers an average salary of €4,397, that is 28% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the pharmaceutical sector are Janssen Pharmaceutica, GSK Biologicals and UCB Pharma.
6. Scientific Research
The science industry, in which tests, development and scientific research are conducted, offers an average salary of €4,391, that is 27% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the scientific sector are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toxikon Europe and Histogenex.
7. Chemical & Chemical Product Manufacturing
The chemical manufacturing industry, in which chemicals and chemical products are manufactured, offers an average salary of €4,343, that is 26% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the chemical sector are BASF Antwerpen, Evonik Antwerpen and Rain Carbon.
8. Air Transportation
The air transportation industry offers an average salary of €4,327, that is 25% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the air transport sector are TUI Airlines Belgium, T.C.R International and All Freight Logistics.
9. TV & Radio Broadcasting/Programming
The media industry, which involves the broadcasting of radio and television programmes, offers an average salary of €4,317, that is 25% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the media sector are Regionale Media Mij, VRT and De Persgroep Publishing.
10. Insurance
The insurance industry, including activities linked to financial and insurance services, offers an average salary of €4,292, that is 24% higher than the national average. The 3 healthiest companies in the insurance sector are Belfius, I.B.I.S and Concordia.
Finally, it’s crucial to consider the sector you work in, as this has an important influence on the outcome of your career. Despite this, there can be a lot of variation within one sector. For example, the size of the company plays a role. Larger companies generally have a more fluid source of income, so are likely to offer more generous pay than smaller companies. If you are choosing between two (or more) companies, do your research and get some background information to help you decide which business model works best for you. A job isn’t solely centred on pay; you must enjoy it too!
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