Which sectors are hiring, who, and how many?

Are you looking for work in Luxembourg? Which sectors are hiring? What profiles are sought after? What are the pay scales based on experience and skills? Find all the information you need about recruitment in Luxembourg , including the profiles sought and starting salaries.

The latest salary survey presented by Hays Recruitment, a specialist recruitment agency in Luxembourg, shows how much the Covid crisis has affected recruitment criteria.

Recruitment in Luxembourg in the post-Covid era

A new working environment linked to the Covid crisis

In the midst of the Covid crisis, companies had to overcome many challenges in order to maintain their profits and ensure their continued development. To manage the crisis, the Luxembourg labor market had to evolve.

By adapting to the health context to protect the health of their employees and continue their activities, Luxembourg companies have initiated a significant change in their human resources management and recruitment practices.

In the uncertain context of the health crisis, companies have had to integrate new working methods, particularly teleworking. Companies have had to rise to the challenge of managing dispersed teams in record time. At the same time, they have had to modify their sales channels and develop online sales.

New procedures have been put in place. Companies have acquired new IT tools. This has led to new skills requirements within companies. Some have had to recruit new profiles.

Continued recruitment after Covid

Despite the crisis, nearly 70% of companies continued to recruit, with almost half of them offering permanent contracts. The IT and telecoms sectors, financial services (banking/insurance), and accounting were the most active in this area.

Furthermore, remuneration remained stable in nearly 90% of cases. Since the crisis, increases have remained fairly low, between 2.5% and 5% maximum.

Flexibility, a major criterion in job hunting

In this unprecedented health context, remote working has grown significantly. All companies have had to adapt to this, at least for their administrative staff.

In fact, despite the end of the pandemic, flexibility is now highly sought after by employees. In practical terms, remote working is now part of the working environment. Even though companies are starting to bring their employees back to the office, some are still working remotely full-time.

In any case, job candidates bring up the issue of remote work during their first interview. Remote work has become an integral part ofhow companies are organized.

Today, it is an important benefit in kind, even though more and more companies are trying to bring their employees back to the office.

Jobs and skills in demand in Luxembourg

Fast-growing professions

The hospitality, investment funds, home delivery, and financial regulation sectors are growing. IT and project management jobs are also on the rise.

Other professions related to the revaluation of raw materials, cloud architects, and baristas are developing to keep pace with new environmental, technological, and societal trends.

Jobs in short supply in Luxembourg

At the same time, there is a significant shortage in skilled trades (butchers, electricians, etc.) and in professions requiring high qualifications.

This is particularly the case for IT specialists and lawyers.

Skills that are highly valued in Luxembourg

Specific skills such as language proficiency are highly valued in Luxembourg, given the country's linguistic particularities.

Transversal skills such as management, digital skills, and personal skills are also highly sought after.

When recruiting in Luxembourg, it is also crucial to be aware of the specific features of sick leave in Luxembourg, which include essential information on the rights and obligations of employees in the event of absence due to health reasons.

For those seeking to integrate professionally into the country, it is also crucial to find out about the equivalence of qualifications in Luxembourg in order to optimize their career opportunities.

In addition, in terms of administrative procedures, newcomers to Luxembourg can consult the page dedicated to"renewing your driver's license through the SNCA" to facilitate their professional integration.

Salaries by sector of activity in Luxembourg

Here you will find some guidelines on salaries by sector of activity and profession in Luxembourg.

The salaries indicated below are gross salaries. These are salary ranges, negotiated with the employer during job interviews based on the candidate's skills and qualifications. The salary actually paid by the employer will be a net salary, after deduction of taxes that are withheld at source in Luxembourg.

Architecture, design offices, building, and public works

Is the construction sector still a very active and dynamic sector?

Visitors to Luxembourg will notice the impressive number of cranes and construction sites along the roads. Various neighborhoods in Luxembourg City and in the south of the country are embarking on large-scale real estate projects to revitalize certain areas. These projects all have one thing in common: they harmoniously combine housing, offices, and shops and offer a high-quality living environment in harmony with the surroundings.

However, the end of 2022 and 2023 will see a slowdown in the real estate sector. More than 600 companies linked to the real estate sector have recently closed their doors. See the latest real estate trends.

There are numerous infrastructure projects in Luxembourg. The aim is to adapt transport systems to population growth. The electrical and climate engineering sector also offers many opportunities and attracts young graduates from neighboring countries.

Project managers who are bilingual in French and German, or even trilingual with Luxembourgish, are highly sought after. Experienced candidates are in the highest demand.

The lack of resources gives candidates the upper hand, with salaries being driven up. A new cross-functional role is emerging, Building Information Modeling or Management, to facilitate construction projects.

Remuneration in the architecture sector in Luxembourg

Salary ranges in the field of architecture vary between €30,000 and €110,000 gross per annum

• draftsman: €30,000 for a draftsman with no experience to €60,000 with more than 8 years' experience
• Interior designer: €31,000 to €48,000 depending on experience
• Urban planner: €33,000 to €63,000 depending on level of experience
• Architect: €33,000 to €67,000
• Experienced project manager: up to €70,000
• Experienced agency manager: up to $110,000 per year

Salaries in construction

In construction, salaries range from €28,000 to €100,000 and above

• Site manager with less than 3 years' experience: €28,000
• Site supervisor: €35,000 to €65,000
• Engineers/project managers: €50,000 to over €75,000 depending on experience
• Operations manager: €90,000 to over €150,000
• Electrical or HVAC project manager: €32,000 to €73,000
• Experienced construction managers: over $110,000 per year, maximum $109,000 for interior work.

Finance and corporate accounting sector

Since 2016, the finance and accounting sector has been booming in Luxembourg. Despite the health crisis, this sector has continued to recruit. Financial restrictions have prompted companies to recruit operational staff quickly.

The trend is towards the internalization of financial and accounting processes. In addition, companies seem to want to anticipate future retirements in two or three years' time. Real career plans are being offered to professionals in the sector. Mentor positions are being created to supervise junior teams.

On the other hand, salaries have increased only slightly in this sector. Companies favor other forms of compensation such as social packages, such as health insurance or pension plans, or even meal vouchers and company cars.

Salaries ranging from €30,000 to over €120,000 in the finance and accounting sector

Salaries for management positions

• Credit manager: from $53,000 per year for those with less than three years' experience, $83,000 for those with experience
• Chief accountant: from $65,000 to over $115,000
• Accounting director: from €68,000 to €105,000 for an administrative and financial manager
• Chief financial officer: €125,000 and above

Remuneration for operational functions

• Accountant: €30,000 to €50,000 per year
• Management controller: €45,000 to €105,000
• Financial controller: €55,000 to €116,000
• Auditors: from €37,000

Remuneration in the banking and insurance sector

Luxembourg is a leader in the field of investment funds and the leading investment center within the European Union. As such, it continues to attract major international financial institutions.

With more than 50,000 jobs, the sector is recruiting more and more operational staff, particularly in private equity and real estate.

Compliance and risk management roles are also growing.

Bilingual French/English profiles are highly sought after. There are still many job opportunities available.

Salaries range from €35,000 to over €100,000 in financial services, banking, and insurance.

• Operational roles: salaries ranging from €38,000 to over €100,000
• Compliance: €40,000 to over €100,000 depending on expertise
• Risk management: salaries ranging from €35,000 to €100,000 or more.

Salary income in the IT and telecoms sector

The IT and telecoms sector is stabilizing after strong growth in Luxembourg, due to the relocation of IT services to the Grand Duchy and government investment in this area.

Nevertheless, Fintechs are still creating jobs and the outlook is good for those employees who remain. The health crisis has opened up new opportunities and new projects.

Salaries range from €32,000 to €120,000 and above in the IT and telecoms sector.

Salaries for programming professions

• Junior test engineer: from €35,000 per year
• Software architect or experienced functional project manager: from €120,000

Infrastructure and security professions

• Technical support: €32,000 to €60,000 depending on experience
• Systems and network administrator: €38,000 to €75,000
• Systems and network engineer: €40,000 to €80,000.

Business intelligence and ERP roles

• Senior data scientist: from €35,000 at the lower end to €100,000

Management roles

• IT project manager: €45,000 to €100,000 and above for experienced candidates
• Experienced IT director: between €120,000 and €250,000 per year.

Human resources: salaries in Luxembourg

The HR function has changed significantly with the pandemic. Companies are looking for profiles capable of supporting the profound changes taking place within the company.

Already confronted with digitalization in the past, the sector must now manage remote working while maintaining team cohesion and corporate spirit. The challenges are numerous, and companies are looking for experienced candidates who are capable of developing processes and continuing to maintain operations.

HR teams must master digital tools and ensure they are always available to staff. Outsourcing recruitment is a strong trend.

Salaries range from €30,000 to over €130,000 per year.

• HR assistant: €30,000 to €52,000 per year
• HR Manager: €37,000 to €68,000 per month depending on experience
• Senior recruitment manager: up to $93,000 per year
• Training manager: up to $83,000 for an experienced candidate
• Payroll manager: €30,000 to €73,000 per year, Payroll manager up to €93,000
• HR manager: up to €93,000
• HR Director: up to €134,000 per year

Assistant and secretarial roles in Luxembourg

This market continues to recruit, with increasingly demanding requirements for candidates.

Candidates must demonstrate strong analytical skills and be able to manage increasingly complex projects.

Multilingual candidates with good technical and IT skills are preferred. Candidates are more likely to be hired if they have expertise in the relevant sector.

Candidates must also share the company's values and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills.

The remuneration prospects are good, commensurate with the skills required. Good candidates are sought after and inevitably rewarded in terms of remuneration. Multilingual candidates receive a higher salary of around €2,000.

Average salaries range from €32,000 to €60,000 depending on the profile and skills.

• Executive assistant: multilingual profile from €33,000 to €60,000 per year
• Office assistant: €32,000 to €54,000 for a multilingual profile
• Specialized assistant: €32,000 to €45,000 for a sales assistant, and up to €54,000 for a legal assistant.
• Support roles such as receptionist or administrative assistant: €32,000 to €42,000.

Income in sales, marketing, and communications

In the sales field, companies are primarily looking for multilingual profiles, especially German speakers. Germany is one of Luxembourg's main trading partners. The profiles sought must be able to communicate with the local population.

Mobility and technical knowledge, especially IT, are valued.

In addition, with digital channels taking over as a result of the pandemic, skills in this area are inevitably valued.

While remuneration was historically based on a variable salary, employees are now trying to reduce this portion of their salary and favor a fixed portion. In three out of four cases, a company car is provided.

Salaries range from €26,000 to €150,000 depending on the profile, experience, and sector of activity.

Industry sector

• sedentary customer advisor: €34,000 to €49,000
• Junior marketing manager: €36,000 per year
• Marketing manager: up to €75,000
• Sales engineer: from $45,000 per year to $90,000 for a technical sales engineer.
• Sales director: up to €130,000.

Construction sector

• Office-based sales representative: between €34,000 and €50,000 depending on experience
• Technical sales representative: between €35,000 and €65,000 with experience
• Sales director: up to €125,000 if experienced.

IT sector

• Account manager: from €36,000
• Sales director: up to €150,000

Automotive sector

• Entry-level sales representative: from €33,000 per year
• Fleet manager: up to €82,000

Fashion and luxury goods

• Entry-level salesperson: from $30,000 to $50,000 per year after 8 years of experience
• regional sales director: up to €64,000.

Supply chain, purchasing, and logistics in Luxembourg

Whether for road, river, or air transport, Luxembourg is now recognized as the European logistics hub.

Cargolux is a leader in the field of air cargo transport. The multimodal rail center in Bettembourg has established itself firmly in the market.

The profiles sought are analytical ones, with a view to further improving processes.

While salaries remain stable in this field, multilingual (French, German, and English) and technical profiles clearly have a place in an international market. Field experience is valued.

Salaries in logistics and supply chain management range from €36,000 to €140,000 per year.

Purchasing

• Project buyer: between €36,000 and €80,000 per year
• Purchasing manager: €52,000 to €95,000
• Purchasing director: €82,000 to €140,000 per year.

Supply chain, logistics, and transportation

• Freight forwarder: between €30,000 and €50,000 per year
• Operations manager: between €39,000 and €55,000
• Supply chain manager: up to $110,000 per year, or even $130,000 in industry.

Legal

Due to its central location in the heart of Europe and its economic situation, Luxembourg attracts companies in the legal sector.

Today, new law firms are appearing on the market. They are looking for candidates capable of managing international relations and liaising with the Financial Sector Supervisory Commission.

Salaries in the legal sector range from €35,000 to €150,000 or more, depending on the profile.

Law firms

• Lawyer: salary of €35,000 to €85,000
• Senior partner: up to €110,000
• Partner: €120,000 to €160,000.

Accounting firms

• Secretary: salary of €40,000 to €80,000
• Tax manager: €110,000
• Head of Tax: €150,000

To make your next recruitment easier, check out our Employment and Professional Training in Luxembourg section. You'll find some valuable advice there.

For a comprehensive and balanced overview of the reasons for moving to Luxembourg, check out the article"Why move to Luxembourg? Pros and cons as seen by expats." This resource will help you better understand the challenges of this country beyond just the professional opportunities.