In 2013, people in the Netherlands earned on average around 6 per cent less than they did in 2012, with the average hourly wage falling from 15,50 euros to 14,60 euros.

The largest wage decline occurred in the financial and IT sectors, which saw their average gross hourly wage fall by 7,9 and 8,5 per cent respectively.

These figures come from the Loonwijzer / Monsterboard Wage Index, a report on wages and employment in the Netherlands that canvasses more than 185.000 people.

Wages declining in all sectors

Wages fell across the board in the Netherlands in 2012. The least affected were those working in the hospitality and tourisms sectors, whose wages only fell by 1 per cent.

In contrast, the agricultural sector suffered only slightly less than finance and IT, with a 7 per cent drop. Wages in transport and manufacturing were also hit by reductions of 6,3 and 5,8 per cent respectively.

Average wages in the Netherlands

The highest average hourly wages in the Netherlands is found in the education (16,40 euros), manufacturing (16,30 euros) and financial sectors (15,20 euros). Despite not earning the highest hourly average wage, the financial sector has the largest proprotion of people earning 100.000 euros or more a year.

The lowest hourly wage is to be found in the hospitality industry, which has an average of 10,40 euros. Next lowest is agriculture, with 12,80 euros. Minimum wage in the Netherlands is 9,02 euros an hour.

Job security in the Netherlands

In 2013, 71 per cent of people surveyed said they were certain of keeping their job, down by only 1 per cent from 2012.

The same number of employees indicated that they expect to be working for the same employer over the next 12 months, which is 4 per cent less than last year.

The lowest levels of job security were found in agriculture (58 per cent), transport and logistics (63 per cent), and hospitality (62 per cent). Employees in the IT sector, despite the large drop in wages, showed much more comfort in their positions, with 65 per cent expecting a wage rise the following year, compared to the average of 48 per cent.

Job satisfaction in the Netherlands

Even with lower wages, job satisfaction is still quite high at 60 per cent, although it is slightly lower than in 2012. Nonetheless, nearly half of all people surveyed said they were open to finding a new job, an increase of 4 per cent overall.

The most satisfied workers were in healthcare and manufacturing, although those least likely to move were in IT and finance. Employees in transport and hospitality were markedly (more than 10 per cent) less satisfied than previously, which no doubt explains their high rate (61 per cent) of intention to change positions in the coming year.

"The impact of the crisis has become more visible over recent years in incomes, as 6 per cent is a significant drop," said Paulien Osse, founder of the Loonwijzer.

"Wage growth is always just behind economic development, but as the economy recovers hopefully wages will rise again."

Source: Loonwijzer