More than 1,200 top incomes in (semi-)government

In 2004, there were 1,200 jobs in the public and subsidised sectors with an annual salary of at least 158 thousand euro, the average salary of a Dutch minister, including payment for expenses. The number of top incomes hardly changed compared to the year before.

Majority of top incomes in private sector

In 2004, there were more than 14 thousand jobs with an annual salary exceeding 158 thousand euro. The majority of these jobs - nearly 13 thousand - were found in the private sector. It mainly concerned top jobs in wholesale, banking, aviation, research and development and other business services.

Top incomes public sector mainly found in health care

Nearly 400 jobs in the public sector (covering 1 million jobs) are in the category top incomes. Almost 70 percent are found in university hospitals. The remainder are found in universities, central government and municipalities. Slightly over 800 top jobs were found in the subsidised sector, also largely in health care. 

Jobs with an annual salary exceeding 158 thousand euro, 2004

Act on Disclosure of Top Income Earners in Publicly Funded Sectors

On 1 March 2006, the Act on Disclosure of Top Income Earners in Publicly Funded Sectors (WOPT) became effective. The act requires the disclosure of the incomes of employees in the (semi-)public sector whose annual salaries exceed 158 thousand euro, an amount based on the average annual taxable salary of Dutch ministers, including payment of expenses.

Bill introduced to raise ministerial salaries substantially

Late 2005, the cabinet proposed to raise the gross monthly salary of ministers by 30 percent to 12,249 and the prime minister’s salary to 13,474 euro, excluding payment of expenses, making it the highest salary in the public sector. The proposal is based on a report by the Dijkstal committee.

8 thousand well-paid jobs after salary increase

There were 6.9 million jobs in the Netherlands in 2004 and more than 8 thousand with a gross monthly salary exceeding 12,249 euro. Some 600 were found in the subsidised sector, 300 in the public sector.

Jobs with a gross monthly salary exceeding 12,249 euro, 2004

Gerda Gringhuis