Student job hourly wage 2026: 14.21 euros per hour on average
A student worker earns an average of 14.21 euros gross per hour in 2026. That is the finding of new figures from HR services provider Securex, based on almost 387,000 student contracts. The average hourly wage rose by 2.38 percent compared to 2025, neatly in line with wage indexation. But behind that average lie big differences: between the best and worst paid sector there is a gap of 6.40 euros per hour.
Summer is just around the corner and thousands of students are looking for a holiday job right now. In the third quarter of 2025 there were 535,781 student workers at work, accounting for almost 700,000 student jobs. Now that the minimum age has officially been lowered to 15, there will probably be even more this year.
So those who choose wisely will earn a lot more this summer than those who simply take the first vacancy that comes along. In this blog we line up the figures and give concrete tips to get more out of your student job.
How much does a student worker earn in 2026?
The average gross wage of a student worker in 2026 is therefore 14.21 euros per hour. In two years' time, that hourly wage has risen by 7 percent, or 0.98 euros per hour. Important to know: this average concerns the base wage. Supplements for evening, night or weekend work are not included. So those who regularly work weekends often keep more in net terms.
Because a student worker only pays reduced social contributions (the solidarity contribution of 2.71 percent), the net wage is close to the gross wage. As long as you stay within your quota of 650 hours and below the earnings limit of 21,840 euros per year, you simply keep most of your wage. You can read exactly how this works with your tax return in our blog about the tax return after your student job: anyshift.be
Blue-collar or white-collar: a difference of 1.70 euros per hour
The status under which you work makes a big difference. Students with blue-collar status earn an average of 14.91 euros per hour, compared to 13.21 euros for students with white-collar status. That is a difference of 1.70 euros per hour, or over 13 euros per eight-hour day.
Moreover, blue-collar wages rose more sharply: plus 2.83 percent versus plus 1.23 percent for white-collar workers. Physical work in construction, cleaning or industry therefore clearly pays better than a job behind the till or at a desk.
The best paying sectors for students.
Securex calculated the average hourly wage per sector based on the 2025 figures. These are the five best paying sectors:
Construction: 18.05 euros per hour
Cleaning and disinfection: 16.69 euros per hour
Metal, machine and electrical construction: 16.31 euros per hour
Pharmacies and tariffing services: 16.06 euros per hour
Garage sector: 15.92 euros per hour
Striking: the sectors where most students work are usually below the average. Retail in all its forms dips below 14 euros: large retail businesses pay 13.78 euros, independent retail 11.95 euros. Tourist attractions bring up the rear with 11.65 euros per hour.
Hospitality is the positive exception among the popular sectors: there you earn an average of 14.55 euros per hour, above the overall average. So if you enjoy working in a busy environment and are looking for social contact, hospitality is a good fit, both in terms of atmosphere and pay. On our page with flexi-job and student job locations you can immediately see which businesses near you are looking for students: anyshift.be
Age and region also play a role
The older you are, the more you earn. A 15-year-old student worker gets an average of 11.24 euros per hour, an 18-year-old 14.10 euros, and students between 21 and 24 earn an average of 14.81 euros. That is because minimum wages in most sectors increase with age. Are you 15 and do you want to work for the first time this summer? Then first read our blog about working as a 15-year-old student worker, because separate rules apply to you: anyshift.be
The region counts too. Brussels pays the best with an average of 14.68 euros per hour and saw the strongest increase (plus 5.31 percent). Flanders follows with 14.14 euros, Wallonia closes the ranks with 14.10 euros.
How to get more out of your student job in 2026
With these figures in hand, you can choose more deliberately. A few practical tips:
- Compare sectors before you sign. A summer in construction or cleaning quickly yields several hundred euros more than the same hours in an amusement park.
- Ask about supplements. Evening, night and weekend work earn you an extra percentage on top of your base wage in many sectors.
- Plan your 650 hours smartly. If you work your hours mainly in well-paid periods and sectors, you get more out of the same quota.
- Check your payslip. The minimum wage differs per joint committee and per age. Not sure whether you are being paid correctly? In our frequently asked questions you will find an answer to the most common wage questions: anyshift.be
- Don't forget to check your holiday pay. You can read how this works for student workers and flexi-jobbers in our blog about holiday pay: anyshift.be
Looking for a well-paid shift near you? On our page for student jobs (anyshift.be) and in the overview for shifters (anyshift.be) you will find all the info to get started quickly. You will find more tips in our earlier blog about finding a well-paid student job (anyshift.be) and in our guide to summer jobs at the coast and in amusement parks (anyshift.be).
What do these figures mean for employers?
For employers, the Securex figures show one thing above all: the competition for students is getting fiercer. With more than half a million student workers on the market and a wage gap of 6.40 euros between sectors, students are looking more critically at what a job pays. Businesses that pay below the sector average are more likely to miss out.
Looking for reliable students or flexi-jobbers this summer? Via our page for businesses you can quickly post a shift and reach motivated workers near you: anyshift.be. In our blog about finding summer staff in July and August, you can read how to get through the busy months without staff shortages: anyshift.be
Conclusion: choose deliberately and earn more
An average of 14.21 euros per hour is a nice wage for a student job, but the average does not tell the whole story. The difference between sectors runs up to 6.40 euros per hour, and your status, age and region also determine what you take home. Those who know the figures and choose deliberately simply earn more this summer for the same hours. Be sure to also check out our other blogs for more tips about student jobs and flexi-jobs: anyshift.be
Do you want to work flexibly, earn extra or find a student job yourself? Then download the free AnyShift app:
App Store (iPhone): apps.apple.com
Google Play Store (Android): play.google.com
Source: Securex, press release of 30 May 2026.
