Half of Flemish workers earn more than €3,585 a month

Half of workers in Flanders earn more than €3,585 gross per month, according to new data from HR services company SD Worx.

The figures come from a salary barometer based on payroll data from 400,000 full-time employees across Belgium. The median salary in Flanders (the point where half of workers earn more and half earn less) now stands at €3,585.

Salaries in Brussels remain well above the rest of the country. The city’s median wage has reached €4,200 gross per month, nearly 30% higher than five years ago and at least €600 more than in any other Belgian province.

Experts say the capital’s strong salaries are linked to the presence of many international companies and service-sector jobs. Automatic wage indexation in Belgium has also pushed salaries higher.

Other regions, however, are starting to close the gap. Limburg and West Flanders recorded the fastest wage growth over the past year, rising 2.6% and 2.5% respectively.

Limburg’s median wage has now reached €3,600, putting it close to Antwerp (€3,605) and East Flanders (€3,595). Flemish Brabant stands slightly lower at €3,580.

Despite recent growth, West Flanders still has the lowest median salary in the region, though it has now passed the €3,500 mark, reaching €3,515.

Higher salaries are often found in regions with large headquarters, knowledge-based jobs, and strong technology or pharmaceutical sectors. These companies tend to employ more highly educated workers and can offer better pay and career opportunities.

Meanwhile, areas with more industrial or manual labour jobs generally report lower median wages.

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