Salary Intelligence
Salaries in Iceland by profession
National median, after-tax net, and purchasing power for 38 professions in Iceland — anchored to a primary-sourced median wage (2023 data).
What is a good salary in Iceland?
Key facts
- National median: ~$78,200 gross ~$56,911 after tax (2023 data, 73% kept).
- Highest-paying role: Doctor (Physician) ~$170,893/yr net for a mid-level doctor (physician).
- Purchasing power the median net is worth ~$46,928 in PPP-equivalent (US price) terms.
- 38 professions estimated each = the national median × the role's skill premium, netted via the tax engine.
National median (2023)
$78,200 gross · $56,911 after tax · $46,928 PPP-equivalent. Source & methodology
Estimated pay by profession in Iceland
By take-home, the highest pay in Iceland is estimated for a 🩺 doctor (physician) — $170,893 net after tax (3.7× the local median).
| Profession | Est. gross | Est. net |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (Physician) | $289,108 | $170,893 |
| CTO / Technology Director | $276,683 | $164,486 |
| Dentist | $215,287 | $132,830 |
| Senior Software Engineer | $194,196 | $121,955 |
| Engineering Manager | $191,397 | $120,512 |
| AI Engineer | $179,479 | $114,366 |
| Pharmacist | $170,963 | $109,975 |
| Product Manager | $164,132 | $106,453 |
| Data Engineer | $155,157 | $101,826 |
| Software Engineer | $149,763 | $99,044 |
| Cloud Engineer | $148,779 | $98,537 |
| DevOps Engineer | $148,334 | $98,308 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $144,484 | $96,322 |
| Management Consultant | $139,556 | $93,436 |
| Sales Manager | $134,132 | $90,207 |
| Data Scientist | $128,469 | $86,836 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,767 | $84,632 |
| General Manager | $124,245 | $84,321 |
| Civil Engineer | $122,062 | $83,022 |
| Marketing Manager | $121,938 | $82,948 |
| Project Manager | $121,938 | $82,948 |
| Physiotherapist | $121,796 | $82,864 |
| Operations Manager | $117,628 | $80,382 |
| UX Designer | $112,864 | $77,546 |
| HR Manager | $112,565 | $77,368 |
| Business Analyst | $109,180 | $75,353 |
| University Lecturer | $104,509 | $72,573 |
| Finance Analyst | $101,516 | $70,791 |
| Accountant | $87,112 | $62,216 |
| Hospitality Manager | $86,066 | $61,594 |
| Teacher | $83,605 | $60,129 |
| Content Writer | $83,595 | $60,123 |
| Nurse | $82,927 | $59,725 |
| Plumber | $81,718 | $59,005 |
| Electrician | $80,718 | $58,410 |
| Remote Freelancer | $79,231 | $57,525 |
| Chef | $77,428 | $56,451 |
| Graphic Designer | $72,827 | $53,712 |
“vs median” = estimated gross ÷ Iceland's national median gross. Tap a role for the full country-by-country ranking. Regulated professions (medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, teaching) require local credential recognition before you can practise.
Iceland salary estimates · Source: Iceland national median wage (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023) + WhereNext tax engine · Last verified Jun 22, 2026
Modelled estimate, not survey data. Each profession figure is the country's national median wage scaled by the role's skill premium — a directional model, not a per-role salary survey. Singapore is the exception: its figures are the Ministry of Manpower's June 2025 occupational medians. It is for a mid-level professional and varies widely by employer, seniority, bonus, equity, contract type and tax regime. Net is modelled via WhereNext's tax engine and is not tax or employment advice — verify with an employer or qualified advisor before making decisions.
Where the money goes: Doctor (Physician) in Iceland
Gross pay erodes to take-home after tax, then adjusts for local prices — a mid-level estimate, every step sourced.
Updated · National medians (Eurostat / national stats) · US BLS OEWS May 2024 · World Bank ICP 2021 (PPP)
- Gross$289,108
- Income tax−$118,215
- Net (after tax)$170,893
- Local prices−$29,976
- Real value$140,917
Keep rate 59% · net $170,893 · real value $140,917 (local prices eat into it)
| Step | USD/yr | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary | $289,108 | Estimated gross for the role. |
| − Income tax & social | −$118,215 | Resident tax brackets; you keep 59%. |
| Net (after tax) | $170,893 | Take-home in nominal USD. |
| − Local prices (PPP) | −$29,976 | Pricier than the US — your net buys less. |
| Real value (PPP-equiv. net) | $140,917 | What the net is worth in US price terms. |
Thinking about moving to Iceland?
Iceland salary questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good salary in Iceland?▾
The national median is about $78,200 gross (~$56,911 after tax) for 2023. A "good" salary is typically well above the median — many skilled professions here estimate above $119,625 net. Cost of living matters as much as the headline number.
Which jobs pay the most in Iceland?▾
Among the roles modelled, the highest after-tax pay in Iceland is estimated for doctor (physician), cto / technology director, dentist. These are directional estimates — actual pay varies by employer, seniority and sector.
Does WhereNext estimate net salary after tax in Iceland?▾
Yes. Net figures are computed with WhereNext's tax engine using Iceland's domestic resident income tax brackets and social contributions — not expat regimes. Verify your own situation with a qualified advisor.
How reliable are these Iceland salary figures?▾
The national median is primary-sourced (national statistical office / Eurostat, 2023 data). Per-profession figures are a model — the national median × the role's skill premium, not a per-role salary survey — so treat them as a planning guide, not a quote.