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Moving to Italy for work sounds dreamy until you start looking at salaries and reality hits hard. Rent is rising, competition is real and not every job pays enough to survive comfortably. That is why knowing the highest paying jobs in Italy matters. Italy rewards skills and specialization over degrees. Fields like healthcare, engineering, finance and tech still pay well if you play it smart. This blog cuts the noise and shows where the money actually is, what careers make sense and how international students and professionals can build a stable, well paid future in Italy without guessing.
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Highest Paying Jobs in Italy for 2026
Italy’s job market may look slow compared to some countries, but when you break it down, there are fields where salaries are strong and demand is real. Roles in medicine, technology, finance, engineering and leadership are not only high paying, they also offer long term growth, stability, and legal work pathways for international professionals. These are the careers where companies in Italy compete for talent and are willing to pay well for real skills and results. Here is a list of 30 top highest paying jobs in Italy for 2026.
| Profession | Annual Salary (Approx) |
| CEO / Chief Executive Officer | EUR 180,000 to 500,000+ |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | EUR 150,000 to 400,000 |
| Head of Business Development | EUR 120,000 to 350,000 |
| Chief Technology Officer (CTO) | EUR 130,000 to 350,000 |
| Surgeon (Senior Medical Specialist) | EUR 120,000 to 300,000 |
| Anesthesiologist | EUR 110,000 to 300,000 |
| IT Director | EUR 110,000 to 280,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | EUR 70,000 to 200,000 |
| Data Scientist (Senior) | EUR 65,000 to 180,000 |
| Artificial Intelligence Specialist | EUR 70,000 to 200,000 |
| Investment Banker (Senior) | EUR 90,000 to 250,000 |
| Corporate Lawyer / Legal Director | EUR 90,000 to 240,000 |
| Airline Pilot (International) | EUR 90,000 to 250,000 |
| Engineering Director | EUR 100,000 to 240,000 |
| Finance Manager | EUR 80,000 to 180,000 |
| Project Manager (Engineering / IT) | EUR 70,000 to 160,000 |
| Pharmacist (Senior / Lead) | EUR 60,000 to 140,000 |
| Renewable Energy Engineer | EUR 60,000 to 130,000 |
| Cloud Engineer | EUR 60,000 to 150,000 |
| UX / Product Design Lead | EUR 60,000 to 140,000 |
| Big Data Engineer | EUR 60,000 to 150,000 |
| Mobile App Developer (Senior) | EUR 60,000 to 140,000 |
| DevOps Engineer | EUR 60,000 to 150,000 |
| Supply Chain Director | EUR 80,000 to 200,000 |
| Marketing Director | EUR 80,000 to 200,000 |
| Sales Director (Large Company) | EUR 80,000 to 200,000 |
| University Professor (Top Institutions) | EUR 60,000 to 140,000 |
| Architect (Senior / Partner) | EUR 70,000 to 180,000 |
| Management Consultant (Senior) | EUR 90,000 to 220,000 |
| Actuary / Risk Manager | EUR 70,000 to 180,000 |
How to Find a Job in Italy as an International Student?
As an international student finding a job in Italy is possible but only if you follow how the system actually works. Italy does not reward random applications. It rewards preparation, timing and local alignment. If your goal is to move into the highest paying jobs in Italy, you need to start early and stay strategic. Here is the process:
Start With Internships and Part Time Roles
Most international students enter the Italian job market through internships or part time work during studies. These roles help you build local experience, understand work culture, and create employer trust. Many full time offers come from internships.
Focus on Cities With Real Job Demand
Milan is the top city for finance, tech, fashion, consulting, and corporate roles. Rome works well for public sector, research, and policy roles. Turin, Bologna, and Florence are strong for engineering, manufacturing, and design. Location matters a lot in Italy.
Match Your Degree With Shortage Skills
Italy hires international students faster in sectors with talent gaps like IT, engineering, healthcare, data, finance, and renewable energy. These fields also connect directly to the highest paying jobs in Italy.
Use University Career Offices Seriously
Italian universities have career offices that connect students with local companies. Many students ignore them. Employers trust university referrals more than cold applications, especially for international candidates.
Understand Work Permit Rules Early
Italy has a quota based work permit system. Students who convert their student permit into a work permit early face fewer issues. Planning this step in advance gives you an advantage over last minute applicants.
Learn Basic Italian for the Workplace
You do not need perfect Italian, but basic professional Italian helps massively. Even international companies prefer candidates who can communicate with local teams.
Why Work in Italy as an International Professional?
For international professionals aiming for the highest paying jobs in Italy, the country offers structured industries, strong labor protections and long term career stability. Italy rewards skill depth over job hopping. If you bring niche expertise then you stand out fast. The work culture values quality over speed, which means less burnout and more sustainable growth. Salaries grow steadily with experience, especially in regulated and high skill sectors. Here are 4 solid reasons why Italy works differently and why it makes sense.
Strong Demand for Skilled Foreign Talent
Italy faces a shortage of professionals in healthcare, engineering, IT, finance, and advanced manufacturing. International professionals fill these gaps quickly, especially in roles connected to the highest paying jobs in Italy. Employers actively sponsor work permits when skills are hard to replace.
Career Stability Over Short Term Hustle
Italian companies focus on long term employment. Contracts, notice periods, and employee protections are strict. This creates predictable career growth instead of constant job insecurity. For professionals who want stability, Italy wins.
Clear Path to Permanent Residency
Italy offers one of the more structured residency pathways in Europe. After continuous legal work, professionals can move toward long term residence and later permanent settlement. This matters if you plan to stay beyond just one job cycle.
High Value for Experience and Qualifications
Italy pays more for experience, not just degrees. Senior professionals, licensed experts, and specialists dominate the highest paying jobs in Italy. If you bring 5 to 10 years of experience, your earning potential increases sharply compared to entry level roles.
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What Are the Employee Benefits in Italy?
Italy has one of the strongest employee protection systems in Europe. This is a big reason why international professionals aiming for the highest paying jobs in Italy prefer staying long term instead of hopping countries. Benefits are not optional perks here. Most are backed by law and apply equally to foreign workers with valid contracts. Here are the employee benefits in Italy.
Paid Leave Is Generous and Mandatory
Employees in Italy get at least 20 days of paid annual leave by law. On top of this, there are around 12 public holidays every year. This creates real work life balance, not just HR talk.
Public Healthcare Coverage
Once you start working legally, you are enrolled in Italy’s public healthcare system. This covers doctor visits, hospital care, and emergency treatment at very low cost. Private insurance becomes optional, not a necessity.
Social Security and Pension Benefits
Employers and employees both contribute to social security. This includes pension benefits, disability support, and survivor benefits. These contributions also help international professionals build long term financial security.
Paid Sick Leave and Medical Protection
Italian labor law protects employees during illness. Depending on the contract, sick leave is partially or fully paid. You cannot be fired just because you fall sick.
Maternity and Parental Benefits
Italy offers paid maternity leave and parental leave options. These benefits apply to international professionals as well, as long as they are legally employed and contributing to social security.
Strong Job Security Laws
Italy has strict rules around termination. Employers must follow notice periods and legal procedures. This gives employees stability, especially in high skill and high salary roles.
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What Skills Do You Need to Excel in Italy?
Italy hires based on competence, consistency and trust. Flashy resumes do not work here. If you want access to the highest paying jobs in Italy, your skill set needs to match how Italian workplaces function. Technical skill gets you in. Professional behavior keeps you there. Here are the skills that actually matter:
| Skill Area | Why It Matters? |
| Technical Job Skills | Italy pays for people who can deliver from day one. Strong skills in IT, engineering, healthcare, finance and data lead to the highest paying jobs in Italy. |
| Basic Italian Language | Even basic workplace Italian builds trust and improves team communication. It also increases promotion chances. |
| Process Discipline | Italian companies value structured work, clear documentation, and following procedures strictly. |
| Attention to Detail | Quality and precision matter more than speed. Clean and accurate work is rewarded. |
| Long Term Career Mindset | Employers prefer professionals who plan to stay and grow within the company. |
| Cross Cultural Awareness | Understanding hierarchy, formal communication and workplace respect is essential. |
| Problem Solving Ability | Thoughtful and well planned solutions earn management trust and better pay. |
| Professional Reliability | Being consistent, punctual, and dependable is highly valued in Italian workplaces. |
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Italy works well for people who want structure, stability and long term career growth. If you want predictable hours, strong employee protection and steady salary growth, Italy makes sense. If you want quick money, rapid switches or a hyper competitive hustle culture, this market may feel slow. Italy suits professionals who value balance, process, and security over chaos. The brutal truth is simple. Italy pays well if you commit, adapt, and stay patient. If that fits you, go all in. If not, choose a faster market and save yourself the frustration.
FAQs
Ans: Jobs in healthcare, engineering, IT, data science, finance, and skilled trades are most in demand in Italy. Roles like doctors, software developers, engineers, and finance professionals also appear among the highest paying jobs in Italy due to skill shortages and aging workforce needs.
Ans: Yes, EUR 35,000 per year is considered a decent salary in Italy, especially outside major cities like Milan or Rome. It allows a comfortable lifestyle for a single person, though it may feel tight in high-rent cities without careful budgeting.
Ans: A high salary in Italy usually starts from around EUR 60,000 per year and above. Salaries at this level are common in senior roles, specialized professions, and some of the highest paying jobs in Italy such as doctors, executives, and senior engineers.
Ans: EUR 1,000 per month is generally considered low in Italy and may only cover basic expenses in smaller towns. In large cities, it is usually not enough to live comfortably without shared housing or additional income.
Ans: Skills in healthcare, engineering, software development, data analysis, and finance offer the best earning potential in Italy. Combining technical expertise with Italian language skills greatly improves access to the highest paying jobs in Italy.
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This was everything you needed to finally master the highest paying jobs in Italy. Now you know which roles actually pay big, what skills to stack, and how to land them without second-guessing yourself. Keep learning and stay connected with the Study Abroad page on Leverage Edu for more helpful and student-friendly blogs. And if this helped you, don’t forget to share, rate, and drop a comment. Your support helps more students find the good stuff.
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