Highest-Paid vs Lowest-Paid Roles by Country (2026)

Across 22 countries with full salary data, the spread between the highest-paying and lowest-paying tracked roles ranges from a 2× to nearly 6× multiple. United States has the widest measured gap: Doctor (General Practitioner) earns $260,000 while Teacher (Secondary) earns $65,000.

Last updated · Annual USD unless noted

CountryHighest-paid roleTop (USD)Lowest-paid roleBottom (USD)Multiple
SwitzerlandSoftware Engineer$130,000Software Engineer$130,0001.0×
United StatesDoctor (General Practitioner)$260,000Teacher (Secondary)$65,0004.0×
CanadaDoctor (General Practitioner)$228,000Teacher (Secondary)$70,0003.3×
AustraliaDoctor (General Practitioner)$185,000Teacher (Secondary)$78,0002.4×
Saudi ArabiaPetroleum Engineer$122,000Civil Engineer$60,0002.0×
SingaporeInvestment Banker$175,000Teacher (Secondary)$55,0003.2×
NetherlandsSoftware Engineer$85,000Software Engineer$85,0001.0×
FranceDoctor (General Practitioner)$95,000Software Engineer$72,0001.3×
United KingdomInvestment Banker$185,000Paralegal$44,0004.2×
GermanyCloud Architect$108,000Registered Nurse$52,0002.1×
United Arab EmiratesDoctor (General Practitioner)$130,000Accountant$42,0003.1×
South KoreaSoftware Engineer$60,000Software Engineer$60,0001.0×
South AfricaDoctor (General Practitioner)$60,000Doctor (General Practitioner)$60,0001.0×
JapanSoftware Engineer$68,000Teacher (Secondary)$48,0001.4×
PolandSoftware Engineer$52,000Software Engineer$52,0001.0×
BrazilDoctor (General Practitioner)$48,000Software Engineer$30,0001.6×
MexicoSoftware Engineer$28,000Software Engineer$28,0001.0×
ChinaSupply Chain Manager$28,000Supply Chain Manager$28,0001.0×
IndiaInvestment Banker$48,000Registered Nurse$8,5005.6×
NigeriaPetroleum Engineer$65,000Teacher (Secondary)$6,00010.8×
KenyaDoctor (General Practitioner)$26,000Teacher (Secondary)$7,0003.7×
NepalData Scientist$14,000Teacher (Secondary)$5,0002.8×

Frequently Asked Questions

United States: Doctor (General Practitioner) ($260,000) vs Teacher (Secondary) ($65,000).

Related pages

All numbers computed from our global salary database. See methodology. Canonical URL: https://salarybyrole.com/insights/highest-paid-vs-lowest-paid-roles-by-country