Nurse salary in Austria (2026)
Updated July 2026
A nurse in Austria earns a median of €3,530 gross per month in 2026, with an average of €3,740. Entry-level pay starts near €2,540, while senior professionals reach €5,820 per month. Net pay is typically 60%–66% of gross, and employers in and around Vienna pay roughly 10% above the national median for this role.
Key facts
- Median gross pay for a nurse in Austria is €3,530 per month (2026 estimate).
- The average gross salary, pulled up by senior roles, is €3,740 per month.
- Junior pay runs €2,540–€3,110; senior pay runs €4,240–€5,820 gross per month.
- Austria has a cost-of-living index of 128 (Ljubljana = 100), so €3,530 there buys about €2,760 of Slovenian purchasing power.
- Austria has no statutory minimum wage; pay floors come from sector collective agreements.
- Structural shortage in every country covered here; recognition of qualifications is the main hurdle.
Data table
| Experience level | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Junior (0–2 years) | €2,540 | €3,110 |
| Mid (3–6 years) | €3,180 | €4,060 |
| Senior (7+ years) | €4,240 | €5,820 |
| Median (all levels) | €3,530 | |
| Average (all levels) | €3,740 | |
What drives nurse pay in Austria
Delivers clinical care in hospitals, clinics and elderly-care facilities. Austrian pay is set by sector-wide collective agreements (Kollektivvertrag) rather than a statutory minimum wage, and most employees receive 14 monthly salaries per year. Vienna, Linz and Graz hold most vacancies.
Pay differences inside Austria are driven mostly by region — Vienna and its surrounding metro area pay a premium over rural areas — followed by employer size, sector and certified specialisations. Comparing offers on gross pay alone is misleading: check the number of monthly payments per year, bonus structure, and how much of the package is fixed.
The same role in other countries
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nurse earn in Austria?
A nurse in Austria earns a median of about €3,530 gross per month in 2026, with most salaries between €2,540 and €5,820 gross per month.
What is the starting salary for a nurse in Austria?
Entry-level pay starts at roughly €2,540 gross per month. After two to four years, a nurse typically reaches the mid band of €3,180–€4,060 gross.
What does a senior nurse earn in Austria?
Senior professionals earn between €4,240 and €5,820 gross per month. The top of that range usually requires team leadership, rare specialisations or a large-employer setting.
Is that gross or net pay?
All figures on this page are gross monthly pay before tax and social contributions. In Austria, net pay is typically 60%–66% of gross, so a median of €3,530 gross is roughly €2,120–€2,330 net.
Is the salary enough to live on in Austria?
Austria has a cost-of-living index of 128 with Ljubljana set to 100. Adjusted for that, a median of €3,530 in Austria has the purchasing power of about €2,760 in Slovenia.
Can I work as a nurse in Austria as a foreigner?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can work in Austria without a permit. Non-EU candidates need a work and residence permit, and regulated professions additionally require recognition of their qualifications.