Best Paying Jobs in Basic Industries
*Updated 2025
Thinking about relocating to Europe from the USA and wondering where the best-paying roles are right now? As international household movers, we see this trend up close: more Americans are heading to the EU and UK for lifestyle, career growth, and remote-friendly policies. In 2025, several pathways continue to make the move practical, EU Blue Card routes for in-demand professionals, national talent visas, and a wide mix of digital-nomad or remote-work permits.
Below you’ll find a country-by-country snapshot, what’s hot, where English speakers fit, and the kinds of roles that typically command stronger salaries. Exact pay depends on city, seniority, industry, and company, so treat ranges as directional and verify locally during your search.
Portugal: Tech, Product, and Emerging Deep Tech
Lisbon and Porto have matured from “up-and-coming” to established tech hubs with multinational R&D centers and high-growth startups. If you’re technical or product-oriented, you’ll find demand in software engineering, data, cybersecurity, DevOps, and product management. Portugal also maintains several residence options for qualified professionals and remote workers.
Roles with stronger earning potential (indicative): senior software engineer, data scientist/ML engineer, site reliability engineer, security engineer/analyst, product manager, cloud architect. In industrial niches, mining/energy and advanced manufacturing still hire geologists, mining engineers, construction managers, and metallurgists.
Thinking about Portugal? Start with the job market first, then plan logistics. When you’re ready, here’s help with the move: Moving to Portugal from the USA.
France: Aerospace, Automotive, Green Industry, and Deep Tech
France remains a powerhouse in aerospace, automotive, rail, semiconductors, and climate tech. Paris–Saclay, Sophia Antipolis, Toulouse, and Lyon form a strong corridor for engineering, supply chain, and applied research. The French “talent” residence routes and the EU Blue Card continue to support experienced professionals.
Roles to watch: aerospace project engineer, aeronautical designer, fabrication/manufacturing engineer, process/sustainability engineer, supply-chain scientist, security engineer, maintenance manager, data/AI and embedded systems. English-first teams are common in larger firms and research centers, though French is a plus for career progression.
Planning a relocation with household goods? See: Moving to France from the US.
Italy: Mobility, Machinery, Chemicals, and Design-Engineering
Italy’s “Made in Italy” strengths, automotive, machinery, chemicals, medical devices, and design—translate into solid opportunities for engineers, chemists, and technical specialists. Milan, Turin, Bologna/Modena, and the Veneto region concentrate many of these roles, with international firms increasingly hiring English-speaking talent.
Roles with healthy demand: synthetic/industrial chemist, electromagnetics or aerodynamics engineer, electronic test engineer, supply-planning specialist, drilling/energy engineer, materials engineer, automotive technical writer or applications engineer, simulation/CAE specialist, and skilled trades supporting high-precision manufacturing.
See what moving looks like door-to-door: Moving to Italy from the US.
United Kingdom: Advanced Manufacturing, Energy, and Built Environment
Despite macro shifts, the UK remains attractive for Americans with experience in advanced manufacturing, energy (including offshore wind), aerospace, defense, and electronics. London, the Midlands, the North East, and Scotland all host clusters where English as a workplace language speeds onboarding.
Roles commonly offering competitive packages: foundry/plant or maintenance leadership, multi-skilled and field service engineers, product development engineer, electronics design, automotive/aerospace engineer, wind turbine technician, E&I technician, arborist/grounds and sustainability roles within local authorities and private estates.
Greece: Maritime, Energy, and Port-Adjacent Services
Shipping and maritime services remain cornerstone sectors in Greece, alongside energy and logistics. Piraeus and other port cities anchor opportunities for engineers and technical staff. English is widely used across international operators.
Roles with clear relevance: marine/naval architect, marine engineer, ship superintendent, cargo/gas engineer, shipbuilding engineer, marine environmental manager, ocean/marine biologist (research and compliance), boat mechanic, and specialist technicians supporting refit and classification projects.
How to Maximize Your Earning Potential (Anywhere in Europe)
Lead with scarcity skills. Cloud, security, AI/ML, embedded systems, power electronics, and process/sustainability engineering continue to command a premium.
Target hubs. Your pay band and career mobility improve in clusters: Paris/Toulouse, Milan/Turin, Lisbon/Porto, London/Midlands, Piraeus/Athens.
Mind localization. English gets you in the door; local language often accelerates promotions and client-facing roles.
Check total compensation. Compare salary plus pension/benefits, bonus, equity, paid leave, and training budgets—then normalize with local cost of living and tax bands.
Visa fit matters. EU Blue Card and national talent visas reward higher salaries, university degrees, and signed offers; digital-nomad options suit remote roles but may limit local employment. Verify the latest rules before signing.
Moving Your Life, Not Just Your Job
Once the offer is in hand, the logistics begin. SDC International Shipping handles door-to-door moves for professionals and families, packing, household goods, vehicles, customs documentation, and secure storage—so you can focus on onboarding and settling in.
Get a personalized moving quote or talk with a shipping agent about timelines and options.
