Key Facts: Austria vs Denmark Wages
- Austria Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Denmark Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Austria Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €3,800 /mo ($4,425.29 USD)
- Denmark Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- kr45,000 /mo ($7,012.19 USD)
- Data Sources
- Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Wirtschaft) (2026-02-24), Danish Ministry of Employment (2026-02-24)
Austria
Denmark
Updated 2026-02-24
Neither Austria nor Denmark has a statutory minimum wage, relying instead on collective bargaining or sectoral agreements. Average salaries are lower in Austria at $4,425/mo compared to $7,012/mo in Denmark.
Austria has lower GDP per capita ($73,911 vs $81,878). Austria's unemployment rate is 5.6% compared to Denmark's 5.5%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austria | Denmark |
|---|---|---|
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €3,800 /mo $4,425.29 | kr45,000 /mo $7,012.19 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €2,500 /mo $2,911.38 | kr28,000 /mo $4,363.14 |
| Median individual income /yr | €33,500 /yr $39,012.46 | kr360,000 /yr $56,097.48 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Austria is higher.
Work Week
- Austria
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Arbeitszeitgesetz). Daily maximum is 8 hours (normal) or 10 hours (with overtime). Since 2018, daily working time can be extended to 12 hours and weekly to 60 hours in exceptional cases with compensatory rest. Overtime is compensated at 150% or with time off in lieu (1:1.5). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week.
- Denmark
-
37 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 37 hours (set by collective agreements, not statute). EU Working Time Directive limits average to 48 hrs/week. Overtime compensation is determined by collective agreements, not law.
What This Means for Workers
Standard work weeks differ: Austria mandates 40 hours while Denmark mandates 37 hours.
See this comparison from Denmark's perspective: Denmark vs Austria
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much less does the average worker earn in Austria compared to Denmark?
The average gross salary in Austria is €3,800/mo ($4,425.29 USD), compared to kr45,000/mo ($7,012.19 USD) in Denmark. In USD terms, workers in Austria earn approximately 58% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Austria and Denmark is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Denmark earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Austria.
How do work hours compare between Austria and Denmark?
Austria has a longer standard work week at 40 hours, compared to 37 hours in Denmark. Workers in Austria work 40 hours per week by law. Longer mandatory hours can offset a nominally higher wage; a worker in Denmark working fewer hours may have comparable or better effective hourly earnings depending on the wage levels of each country. Total annual compensation depends on both the wage rate and the number of hours required.
What is the cost of living difference between Austria and Denmark?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Denmark has the higher GDP per capita at $81,878, which is 1.1x that of Austria at $73,911. From Austria's perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a lower economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.