Germany is the Best Country for Creative Professionals

Germany is the best country for people working in creative professions, a new study has revealed.

Research by creative resource Design Bundles found that Germany topped the study of 50 countries as its cost of living and rent compared to the average salary of creative jobs left employees with the highest percentage of their wages.

The analysis revealed that in Germany, the average monthly wage for four different creative professions – Graphic Designer, Web Developer, Architect and Photographer – comes to $4,555.26 (£3,343) – the seventh highest average salary on the list.

And when the country’s average living expenses are factored in, creative professionals in Germany have 61.83% left of their average monthly salary – the largest amount.

Sweden is the second-best country for creatives on the list; creatives retain nearly 60% (57.92%) of wages after living expenses.

The third best country for creatives is Denmark, again just shy of 60% (57.88%), paying one of the top five highest salaries at $5,052.94 (£3,708.53). This secures Europe the top three positions, marginally beating the US by 0.07%.

Although it has the second highest salary, the US ranks fourth in the list. This is over 10% higher than English speaking counterparts the United Kingdom, with a similar remaining percentage to that of Sweden and Denmark at 57.81%.

These were followed by Switzerland in fifth place, which has the highest average monthly salary for creatives at $7,165 (£5,258.99), but places lower due to a high cost of living, which leaves 55.59% .

New Zealand (55.34%), South Korea (54.48%), Finland (53.87%) and Norway (52.57%) are just outside the top five. Beyond this, the salary remaining after living costs begins to drop below 50% of earnings; in descending order: Belgium (49.75%), Australia (49.52%), Spain (48.88%), Ukraine (48.27%), France (47.51%), Iceland (46.59%) and Austria (46.23%).

The UK ranks as the 19th best country for creative professionals, with the average salary across Graphic Designer, Web Developer, Architect and Photographer coming to £2,547.25 ($3,470.68).

When living expenses and rent are factored in at an average of £1,405.19 ($1,914.60), that leaves 44.84% of the monthly salary. a similar bracket to Saudi Arabia (45.61%), China (45.54%) and Canada (44.20%).