The European Tech Market: How It Compares to the US
Why US tech job strategies don't work in Europe: understanding market fragmentation, geographic challenges, and strategic career planning for software engineers across 40+ European countries.
It is well known that software engineers in the US have traditionally enjoyed a very vibrant and abundant job market.
Top universities with entrepreneurial spirit and cutting-edge research, established big tech companies, a steady number of promising startups being funded and incubated, stable small and midsize engineering companies, they all contribute to create what is arguably the best job market for software engineers in the world.
Geographic Distribution in the US
Another aspect that makes life easier for engineers in the US is how opportunities are geographically distributed: while you can work as an engineer anywhere in the country (especially nowadays with remote work), there are 3 major poles that host pretty much any relevant tech company.
Silicon Valley, Seattle and New York are where most software engineers in the US live and work: this means that wherever you are studying in college, you will probably apply for internships or jobs in one or more of these 3 places, which also offer similar pay bands and salaries and, ultimately, similar opportunities to make and save money.
The result is that, if you don't mind moving to one of these areas, you can just move to the one you prefer to live in and your career will be fine.
Streamlined Interview Process
Another aspect making life easier for engineers in the US is that most good tech companies there have a very similar interview process: algorithms and data structures based coding interviews, one behavioural round and sometimes system design interviews.
This streamlined process, and a large amount of top-quality employment opportunities, has led to the proliferation of "how to make it in tech" type of content on YouTube, blogs and LinkedIn.
The European Landscape is Different
If you are a Computer Science student or a software engineer based in Europe, your horizon is way more fragmented and nuanced than how it is in the US, and if you try to apply the systems used by engineers in the US in their job search, you will soon realise that you can't really copy-paste those strategies successfully in Europe.
Top American companies have indeed offices everywhere in Europe and there are also valid non-American tech companies, but you have no San Francisco/Seattle/New York where all the good companies have an office and opportunities in every area of software engineering and top salaries.
Browse 5,000+ tech jobs across Europe →
Key Challenges in Europe
Each country in Europe is quite different from the others, in terms of many aspects including:
| Factor | US Market | European Market |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic Concentration | 3 main hubs (SF, Seattle, NYC) | 40+ countries, 100+ cities |
| Language Barrier | English everywhere | 24+ official languages |
| Salary Transparency | High (levels.fyi, Blind) | Low (varies by country) |
| Interview Process | Standardized (LeetCode) | Varies widely by company/country |
| Relocation | Easy within country | Complex (visas, languages, cultures) |
| Tax Complexity | State taxes only | Country-specific (15%-50%+) |
Most cities in Europe only have a few top tech company with a sizeable office, and this scarcity, combined with the fact that these companies are notoriously competitive to get into, means that you can be a great engineer and have prepared for interviews, and still not be able to experience a high interview/offer rate within top companies, especially if you're limiting yourself to one or few locations, especially if those locations are not carefully picked.
Compare salaries and taxes across European cities →
Strategic Considerations
If you do what a lot of US-based devs do in their job search, i.e. prepare for algorithms interviews and target top tech companies, you could end up with an offer from a random place in Europe and then only have a few weeks to evaluate the offer and understand if you want to move there. This for most people can be troublesome, since as mentioned earlier, every country in Europe is quite different and it's not easy to quickly evaluate if the job is worth the move.
Another option is to only target companies in one location (where you know you want to live). But since most European cities don't boast a large tech job market, you might have to invest a lot of time and energy looking for a good enough opportunity there.
Long-Term Planning
Last but not least, if you don't want to potentially keep moving around Europe all your life whenever you change a job, you might want to pick a place to stay for the medium or long-term in a wise and informed manner.
This is a complex topic with many layers to it, and I plan to address it from different perspectives over the course of this newsletter. If you can relate to the above issues, or even if you are just curious, you should consider subscribing.
Strategic Approach for Europe
Here's what works better than copying US strategies:
| Strategy | Why It Works in Europe |
|---|---|
| Research cities first, then apply | Each city has unique strengths (Zurich for pay, London for opportunities) |
| Learn about tax systems | Can make 30-50% difference in take-home pay (e.g., Netherlands 30% ruling) |
| Consider 2-3 target cities | Increases interview/offer rate while maintaining location control |
| Network locally | European hiring relies more on referrals than cold applications |
| Understand visa requirements | EU/EEA citizens have massive advantage; non-EU need sponsorship |
| Factor in cost of living | Lower salary doesn't always mean less savings |
Read more:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use LeetCode to prepare for European tech interviews?
Yes, but it's less universal than in the US. While big tech companies (Google, Meta, Amazon) use similar processes globally, many European companies focus more on:
- Practical coding tasks
- System design discussions
- Cultural fit and soft skills
- Take-home projects
It's wise to prepare for algorithms interviews, but also work on communication skills and practical problem-solving.
Should I learn the local language to work as a software engineer in Europe?
It depends on the city:
- English is enough: London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Stockholm, Dublin, Zurich
- Helpful but not required: Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Vienna
- Usually required: Smaller cities and local companies
Most international tech companies use English as their working language. However, learning basics helps with daily life and integration.
How do European tech salaries compare to the US?
US salaries are typically 30-50% higher at face value. However, the comparison is more nuanced:
| Level | US (SF/Seattle/NYC) | Europe (Zurich) | Europe (London) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior SWE | $300k-$500k | $270k-$380k | $170k-$320k |
| After Tax | ~$200k-$330k | ~$180k-$250k | ~$110k-$200k |
| After Living Costs | ~$120k-$250k | ~$100k-$180k | ~$50k-$150k |
Europe advantages: Healthcare included, 4-6 weeks vacation, better work-life balance, lower stress
Is it easier to get a tech job in the US or Europe?
US is easier IF you have the right to work there. More companies, more roles, higher hiring velocity, standardized process.
Europe is harder because:
- Fewer roles per city
- Visa sponsorship limited for non-EU
- More fragmented market
- Each country has different regulations
However, EU/EEA citizens have a huge advantage - they can work anywhere in the EU without sponsorship.
What's the biggest mistake engineers make when moving to Europe?
Accepting a job offer without researching the city first.
You might get an offer in a random European city and have 2-3 weeks to decide. Without understanding the local:
- Cost of living
- Tax system
- Social life / expat community
- Weather and lifestyle
- Career growth opportunities
...you could end up unhappy or losing money despite a "good" salary. Always research the city as much as the company.
Which European city is most similar to the US tech experience?
London - it offers:
- Largest number of tech companies in Europe
- More startup ecosystem similar to SF
- English language
- Higher salary potential
- More "hustle culture" like SF/NYC
However, it still has European benefits like 4+ weeks vacation and NHS healthcare.