Looking back at the European tech job market in 2024, we’ve seen trends that are shaping the future for tech professionals.
A lot has changed since the wave of “mass layoffs” that started in late 2022 in the big tech industry, often under the guise of budget plans as many tasks could be “automated.” However, layoffs began in 2020, mostly with start-ups trying to control costs during the pandemic, before slowly making their way into big tech.
As a result, the tech industry is now navigating a transformed landscape. Companies have restructured their priorities, emphasizing efficiency and cost-saving measures like automation and outsourcing. This shift has left a surplus of skilled professionals competing for roles, prompting businesses to become more selective in their hiring. For job seekers, this means adjusting to a market shaped by caution and recalibrated priorities, where finding the right opportunities may take more time and strategy.
This article explores salary trends in 2024 and how layoffs might affect pay in 2025.
Disclaimer: The data reflected in this article is based on our collaborations with partners and clients.
2024 Salary Trends
Software Development
In 2024, software developer salaries saw varied changes across major European tech hubs:
- Amsterdam: €55,000 – €85,000
- Berlin: €50,000 – €80,000
- London: £55,000 – £90,000
- Barcelona: €40,000 – €70,000
In 2024, senior developer salaries reflected the demand for experienced professionals across major European tech hubs:
- Amsterdam: €75,000 – €110,000
- Berlin: €70,000 – €100,000
- London: £80,000 – £120,000
- Barcelona: €60,000 – €90,000
When hiring in leading tech hubs like Amsterdam and Berlin, Barcelona or London, it’s important to stay updated on recruitment trends in Europe’s major tech hubs.
Data Science and AI
The demand for mid-level data scientists and AI specialists remained strong, despite market fluctuations:
- Amsterdam: €65,000 – €95,000
- Berlin: €60,000 – €90,000
- London: £70,000 – £110,000
- Barcelona: €55,000 – €75,000
In 2024, senior salaries in Data Science and AI showed strong demand across major European tech hubs:
- Barcelona: €70,000 – €100,000
- Amsterdam: €85,000 – €120,000
- Berlin: €80,000 – €110,000
- London: £90,000 – £130,000
DevOps and Cloud Engineering
Mid-upper level DevOps engineers experienced varied salary trends due to market shifts:
- Amsterdam: €60,000 – €90,000
- Berlin: €55,000 – €85,000
- London: £65,000 – £100,000
- Barcelona: €50,000 – €80,000
For DevOps and Cloud Engineering roles, senior salaries reflected the increasing importance of these positions:
- Amsterdam: €80,000 – €115,000 for senior DevOps engineers
- Berlin: €75,000 – €105,000 for senior DevOps engineers
- London: £85,000 – £125,000 for senior DevOps engineers
- Barcelona: €65,000 – €95,000 for senior DevOps engineers
Factors Influencing 2024 Salaries
- Layoffs and Market Saturation: Significant layoffs in the tech industry created potentially an abundance of candidates, putting pressure on salaries in certain roles and locations. Learn more about how we can help.
- Remote Work: It opened the door for companies to hire talent from different locations, reshaping salary structures
- Economic Uncertainty: Global economic challenges led to more conservative hiring practices and salary offers in some sectors.
2025 Salary Outlook
Looking ahead to 2025, several factors are expected to shape tech salaries:
- The tech industry has been through a lot lately since 2020, and it’s affecting salaries. After the recent layoffs, things are starting to calm down. While we probably won’t see huge salary increases, certain in-demand skills might still earn a premium.
- Companies are becoming smarter about how they compensate. Instead of just offering high salaries for fancy job titles, they’re focusing on rewarding specific skills that really matter.
- Keep an eye on growing tech hubs like Barcelona, London, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam. As these cities attract more talent and businesses, we might see salaries rise to compete with larger markets.
- With so many talented individuals looking for jobs right now due to layoffs, companies may be cautious with their salary offers. This could particularly impact entry and mid-level positions, as employers know they have huge pool of candidates to choose from.
To sum up…
The European tech job market in 2024 showed resilience amidst challenges, with salaries reflecting both the high demand for skilled professionals, industry-wide layoffs and the back to the office policy. As we move into 2025, the outlook remains optimistic, with potential for growth in specialized roles and emerging tech hubs like Barcelona, Amsterdam, London, Berlin and Paris while other areas may see slower growth as the market adjusts to recent changes. Tech professionals and hiring managers should stay informed about local market conditions and industry-specific trends to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.