Aspects such as costs of living and deducted taxes vary depending on the country. Meaning, the easiest way to imagine what your salary might be in these different countries is to think about it from the perspective of your “take-home pay” -- the net amount of income received after the deduction of taxes, benefits, and voluntary contributions from a paycheck. In short, while gross salaries may be high in a certain country, the take-home pay may be significantly lower. And conversely, countries with lower salaries may have proportionally higher take-home pay. While take-home pay will obviously be influenced by individual circumstances, let’s take a look at a few salary breakdowns from various countries.

Germany

Gross Monthly Salary: 3,200€ (The average monthly salary for a Japanese chef in Europe is about 2,000€)

• Portion from Salary: 3,000€
• Portion from Tips: €200 (estimate)

Expenses: 2,050€

• Taxes: 1,200€
• Rent: 600€ (one-room apartment)
• Staff meals provided; Cooking at home/eating out 4-5 days each month: 150€
• Heat and Water: 100€

Take-Home Pay = ~1,150€ (About 1,320USD; 8/23/2018 Exchange Rate)

Singapore

Gross Monthly Salary: 6,500SGD

• Base Amount: 6,500SGD

Expenses: 1,750SGD

• Taxes: 650SGD
• Rent: 1,000SGD (one-room apartment)
• Staff meals provided; Cooking at home/eating out 4-5 days each month: 100SGD
• Heat and Water: 0SGD (many properties appear to include heat and water with the base rent)

Take-Home Pay: = ~4,750SGD (About 3,460USD; 8/23/2018 Exchange Rate)

China

Gross Monthly Salary: 20,000RMB

• Base Amount: 20,000RMB ※Salary varies based on experience -- these calculations are based on individuals with less experience.

Expenses: 7,700RMB

• Taxes: 5,000RMB
• Rent: 2,000RMB (one-room apartment)
• Staff meals provided; Cooking at home/eating out 4-5 days each month: 500RMB
• Heat and Water: 200RMB

Take-Home Pay = ~12,300RMB (About 1,780USD; 8/23/2018 Exchange Rate)

Hong Kong

Gross Monthly Salary: $25,000HKD

• Base Amount: $25,000HKD ※Salary varies based on experience -- these calculations are based on individuals with less experience.

Expenses: $4, 100HKD

• Taxes: 8~10%=$2,500HKD
• MPF (Mandatory pension system in Hong Kong): 5%=$1,250HKD (Full amount will be received from the company, and it will also accumulate as investment funds. You will also receive the full amount if you return to your home country, and therefore we have not included it in the overall “expenses” calculation.
• Rent: Covered by employer, about $10,000HKD
• Staff meals provided; Local meals are about $60HKD; Eating out five days a month for three meals a day ~$900HKD
• Heat and Water: $700HKD

Take-Home Pay = ~20,900HKD (About 2,660USD; 8/23/2018 Exchange Rate)

New York

Gross Monthly Salary: ~3,600USD

• Base Amount: 3,600SD

Expenses: 2,244USD

• Taxes: 18=648USD, with company support = ~360USD/month
• Rent: 1,400USD
• Staff meals provided; 8 days off per month; cost of eating out ~16USD per meal, three meals per day off ~380USD
• Heat and Water: 300USD (varies depending on season)

Take-Home Pay: 1,456USD

Rome

Gross Monthly Salary: 1,800€ (Tax excluded)

• Base Amount: 1,800€ (Tax excluded) ※Salary varies based on experience -- these calculations are based on individuals with less experience.

Expenses: 280€

• Taxes: 27%
• Rest: Housing provided; About 450€
• Staff meals provided; 4-5 days off per month; one meal eating out~12€, three meals per day off~180€
• Heat and Water: 100€

Take-Home Pay = 1,520€ (About 2,070USD; 8/23/2018 Exchange Rate)

London

Gross Monthly Salary: ~￡3000

• Base Amount: ￡3000

Expenses: ￡1,294

• Taxes: 13% = ￡390
• Rent: ￡500
• Staff meals provided; 7-8 days off per month; one meal eating out = ￡11, three meals per day = ~264
• Heat and Water: ￡140

Take-Home Pay = ~￡1,706 (About $2,180USD; 8/23/2018 Exchange Rate)