Popular Jobs in Belgium for Indian Students

In this article, we will be talking about jobs in Belgium for Indian candidates, popular job sectors in Belgium and the most common jobs in Belgium among many other areas related to job opportunities in Belgium for foreigners. It is no surprise that the aftermaths of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia – Ukraine conflict have had adverse effects across economies and job markets around the world. Today jobs are scarce and job opportunities for international students are fewer. However, with the right educational qualification and exposure to market opportunities, good jobs are only an application away.

Jobs in Belgium for Indian Students

Belgium job opportunities for Indians: In this section, we are going to be talking about popular job sectors in Belgium and popular jobs in Belgium for Indians and international students.

Popular Jobs Sectors in Belgium

Popular job sectors in Belgium: When we talk about the jobs demographic in Belgium, service and high-tech industries are typically located in the Flanders region in the north, while coal and steel manufacturing is clustered in the south. The locals are mostly involved in the service sector which includes retail, law, banking, media, tourism and transport industries among others.

Most popular jobs in Belgium

Most common jobs in Belgium: In this section, we are going to be discussing popular graduate jobs for Indians and international applicants.  

• Engineering
• Pharmaceuticals
• Processed food and beverages
• Transportation equipment and motor vehicle assembly
• Textiles

Upcoming Jobs in Belgium for Foreigners

These are jobs that may not be in focus right now. But given the huge requirement for services in the near future, the following occupations are sure to see a demand for talent in the related fields. Hence, international students who are studying in related fields are in luck as they would be a field ready with the required skills.

• Data Scientist
• Healthcare Professional
• Delivery and Logistics Managers
• Marketing, Design and Communication Experts
• Developers
• Cyber Security Expert
• Human Resources Managers

Skills Shortage in Belgium

Skills shortage is basically a list of skills that are in short supply in a particular country. The skills shortage list is released by every country on an annual basis and targets skills that are in short supply and are required to be filled by international talent. It is here that Indian students and international workers can build their skills and capitalise on labour shortages. The Belgium Skills Shortage list is for highly skilled workers in the service sector and includes the following professions:

• Teachers
• Architects
• Accountants
• Project Managers
• Administrative Staff
• Nurses and Midwives
• Information Technology Staff
• Engineers, Technicians and Mechanics
• Electricians, Plumbers, Joiners and Plasterers
• Technical and Commercial Sales Representatives

Jobs in Belgium for Foreigners - Top Employers

Headquarters of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Brussels is a hub for big employers of international workers. Top employers for international applicants include the following:

Ageas (insurance)	Anheuser-Busch InBev (brewing)	Bekaert (steel wires)
Bpost (mail delivery)	BNP Paribas Fortis (international banking)	Banque Nationale de Belgique (banking)
Colruyt Group (food retail)	Carrefour Belgium (supermarket retailing)	D'Ieteren (vehicle distribution)
HR Rail (staffing services)	The Delhaize Group (food retailer)	Randstad (Dutch multinational human resource consulting firm)
Elia (energy)	KBC Bank (banking)	Proximus (telecommunications)
Solvay (chemicals)	UCB (biopharmaceuticals)	Umicore (materials technology).
ING Belgium (international banking)	European Union	North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)

Jobs in Belgium for Indians – How to Apply

Work in Belgium for Indian Students: A lot of times candidates are confused about how to go about applying for jobs abroad. In this section, we are going to be talking about the steps involved in looking for a job in Belgium and applying for Belgium job opportunities for Indians.

Step 1: The candidate would be on a study visa when he enters Belgium. Upon the successful completion of his course, he is required to apply for a post-study work visa. The post-study work visa for Belgium is for 12 months and allows applicants to find a job related to his/her field.

Step 2: Applicants are often confused about the right sources to know about job openings. Job seekers are advised to approach recruitment agencies and also sector-specialist agencies to identify job vacancies. Each of Belgium's four regions has its own public employment office and applicants can receive professional careers advice, and search for jobs and training courses at these designated centres.

Step 3: Candidates must have on them an application form, a two-page CV and a cover letter ideally in the relevant language and references as part of the job application. This would be ideally followed by an interview round.

Step 4: On the successful procurement of a job in Belgium. The candidate is required to convert their post-study work visa into a work visa in Belgium to continue practising his/her trade.

Average salaries in Belgium

In this section, we are going to be talking about top Belgium salaries by job, top Belgium salaries by an employer and what you can expect to earn while working in Belgium. 

Average Salary in Germany	Average Salary in Switzerland	Average Salary in New Zealand
Average Salary in Canada	Average Salary in Japan	Average Salary in USA

Top Belgium Salaries – By Job

Activity	Average Salary
Executive Management & Change	$101,000 - $120,000
Agriculture & Forestry	$86,000
Legal & Paralegal	$78,000
Consulting, Accounting & Professional Services	$74,000
Financial Services	$70,000 - $89,000
Finance Control & Strategy	$66,000
Legal Department	$65,000
R&D, Pharmaceuticals & Biotech	$62,000 - $64,000
Logistics, Operations & Purchasing	$58,000

Source: emolument

Top Belgium Salaries - By Employer

Employer	Average Salary
Credit Suisse	$240,000
CKV	$225,000
Starwood Hotels & Resorts	$167,000
Commerzbank	$156,000
Credendo Group	$142,000
Hogan Lovells	$112,000
GlaxoSmithKline	$67,000
Barry Callebaut	$59,000
KBC Bank	$46,000

Source: emolument

What would you earn while working in Belgium?

Minimum Wage per work permit	Brussels region	Wallonia region	Flanders region
Highly skilled (manager)	€44,097	€44,097	€45,096 - €36,076
Highly skilled (director)	€73,570	€73,570	€45,096 - €36,076
ICT (specialist)	€45,616	TBA	€ 45,096
ICT (manager)	€57,019	TBA	€ 72,154
EU Blue Card	€57,019	€57,019	€57,019

Source: HousingAnywhere

Belgian net monthly average salary per industry sector 2021

Petrochemical industry: €5,356	Finance: €4,857	Computer Programming & Consultancy: €4,485
Energy & Environment: €4,380	Education & Research: €4,064	Electronics & Technology: €4,063
Government: €4.043	Food and other Consumer Goods (FMCG): €3.859	Logistics, Transport & Distribution: €3,790
Telecom, ICT & Internet: €3,762	Engineering: €3,711	Healthcare: €3,643
Legal Services, Notary & Law Firm: €3,643	Construction: €3,578	Socio-cultural Sector & Non-Profit: €3,530
Agriculture, Horticulture, Livestock & Fishing: €3,359	Textile Industry and Fashion: €3,354	Human Resources: €3,292
Retail and wholesale: €3,158	Media, Marketing & Communication: €3,104	Tourism, Sports & Recreation: €3,081
Catering Industry: €2,912

Source: HousingAnywhere

Best-paid jobs in Belgium with an average gross monthly salary of 2021

Surgeons & Doctors: €11,500 - €32,900	Judges: €9,710 - €27,700	Lawyers: €7,950 - €22,500
Bank Managers: €7,500 - €21,200	Chief Executive Officers: €7,060 - €19,900	Chief Financial Officers: €6,620 - €18,600
Orthodontists: €6,400 - €18,000	College Professors: €5,740 - €16,000	Pilots: €4,860 - €13,400
Marketing Directors: €4,420 - €12,100

Source: HousingAnywhere

What is a good salary in Belgium?

A good salary would entirely depend on your lifestyle and also your city of accommodation. As the cost of living in Belgium is different in different regions. However, a good annual salary for a person working in Belgium would be between €47,600 and €52,299 or €33,300 - €38,000 after tax deductions. The average gross monthly income in Belgium was about €3,748 in 2021 or €2,428 after taxes.