How much is an appropriate salary for a Contract Specialist

3POSTS

7 years ago

Hi! I'm currently based in Argentina and my company is offering a transfer to Belgium, more precisely to Antwerp, they offer visa sponsorship although we haven't agreed yet on who's going to pay for it.
To be clear, they aren't asking me to relocate, they are offering me the chance to do so because I've stated in the past that I'd like to go.
My question is oriented towars how much does this kind of job pay and what is a fair amount? This conversation is bound to happen really soon with my employer and I need to know what to say. I think this is a great opportunity for me, that I'd like to take so I don't want to be too greedy, having said that don't want to sell myself cheap either.
Based on internet research -there seems to be no one in this position that has put info online- I'd say I'd like to ask for 50k ish yearly income which would translate into roughly 30.6k net. Does that sound like a fair amount and is it enough to live in Antwerp?
A little bit of information on me, single, no children, 28 yo, 8 years experience, BA in pre-law, internation certification in Contract Management, bilingual (Eng-Spa).
A little bit on the role, this falls in the spectrum of a senior position but right below a manager, a bit strange but I think that's the best way I can describe it. Job is in a multinational.

I hope by now you haven't run away from this oh-so-long question and can lend a helping hand to this clueless soon-to-be expat.

PS: a friend of mine has recently relocated to London on pretty much the same position and she's making GBP 48K/year gross

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phipiemar VIP Member

4733POSTS

7 years ago

Hello,

Here are my answers to your questions:
- Visa sponsorship -> the cost is insignificant. You will not get for 300 鈧�.
- Expatriation in Belgium must be discussed on other bases before: housing provided or not, company vehicle or not, complementary health insurance or not, contract on 13/14 months, ...
- Asking for a big salary in Belgium can be harmful from a tax point of view. On average, for one euro that the employer will give you, he will have to give three to the state. The tax rate increases proportionally to the annual gross salary amount. It is much better a "normal" salary with many benefits.
- This is not strictly based on other people's salaries in other countries. It's counterproductive. Because each country has its own value system.
- The Belgian market is very competitive and fierce. So, even if you want to master your field of activity. Do not expect to be considered the messiah. You will have to prove yourself.
- The title of a position of responsibility does not want to say anything. This is good on a business card or on the front door of your office. His professional reputation, we did on the quality of his work.
- A major point on which you will have to work, the two languages 鈥嬧€媡hat you master are absolutely not recognized officially in Belgium. So if you want to integrate into everyday life and also facilitate your life with the administrations, you will have to learn to speak Flemish. Because Flemish is the official language of the Antwerp region.
- For the rest, good luck

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FloJohnstone1 Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

Hi phipiemar,
Thank you for your answer! It is actually very helpful! Taking into account what you're saying about taxation, benefits aside (as I don't know yet what the company offers) what would you say is a "normal" salary (and liveable on too)? Aiming on a high salary that will end up cutting me off the transfer is exactly what I want to avoid.
On the title and position, I don't really care about it, I put that information in case it helps determine something or not. I know in Argentina it would but, again, I'm clueless about Belgium.
On the languages topic, again, it was just as a way of being thorough in case it matters. For the position I don't need to speak any other languages. On the living in Antwerp aspect, I will obviously need to learn Flemish to be able to comunicate at all.

aneesh Belgium Expert

2002POSTS

7 years ago

There are some threads in the forum discussing salaries. 50Kish is a decent salary, do check these things with your employer. What additional benefits you will get (company car, meal vouchers ?, telephone ?). Additionally you may also check if you will be eligible for expat special tax regime.

FloJohnstone1 Member

3POSTS

7 years ago

Hi aneesh, thank you for your response! I have seen other threads about salaries but was hoping perhaps someone would know for this type of job in particular. I'll have to wait and see what are the added benefits -if any-.

aneesh Belgium Expert

2002POSTS

7 years ago

Indeed. Another way is to talk to people at the same job role and job grade in hour Belgium Office. Not to reveal their salaries of course, but what is the range for that role etc.