How Late-Night Remote Workers in Europe Are Unlocking High American Salaries

It’s 9 p.m. in London, and Gita Selli is still at her computer, finishing up one last Zoom call with her team in the U.S. While the idea of a late-night video call may sound horrendous to some, Selli is feeling incredibly satisfied.

“Of course, American companies do pay better than European companies,” says Selli, senior manager of global talent acquisition at Chicago-based tech firm Loadsmart. “I'd lose between half and a third of what I make today if I were working for a European company.”

On average, European workers earn 20% to 40% less than their American counterparts for similar jobs. Software engineers in the U.S. typically earn around $115,000, while in Europe, the average is $75,000. Marketing managers see a similar gap, with U.S. salaries averaging $107,000 compared to Europe’s $70,000.

How do Europeans make it work?

Landing a U.S. job can feel like hitting the jackpot, but the rewards come with strings attached. European workers must adjust to U.S. hours, often working late into the night to align with American time zones.

Seasoned remote workers prefer companies on America’s East Coast, where a five- to six-hour time difference is easier to manage compared to those on the West Coast. For many, especially working parents, this tradeoff is worth it.

“It’s helped a lot with family life,” says Selli, who has two children. “I take breaks to pick up the kids, which I couldn’t do with a traditional nine-to-five U.K. job.”

Breaking up the day helps many remote workers. Some like to complete the first round of tasks in the European morning when coworkers aren’t around to interrupt, saving the afternoon for videoconference calls. “I don’t need to be at my desk for eight hours straight,” says Romanian video and audio editor Otniel Mezin.

American companies have become increasingly flexible with remote workers' schedules. “I noticed a significant shift when COVID hit,” says Irish marketing executive Laura Mundow. “During the pandemic, many companies finally seemed to acknowledge time zone differences and adjusted accordingly.”

Selli offers practical advice: “Make sure everyone can see your calendar. If they know when you start and finish work, they won’t schedule meetings at unreasonable times.”

Cultural differences also play a noteworthy role. American companies often operate at a faster pace, with a more aggressive approach to sales. Despite these contrasts, many Europeans appreciate the innovative and optimistic spirit.

‘Geographic arbitrage’

One piece of advice from European workers is to avoid undervaluing yourself in the American market. “My goal is always to be paid at an average U.S. rate, even though I live in Romania,” Mezin says.

“If you're earning American money, you can live very well somewhere that is not America,” says Mundow, illustrating the concept of geographic arbitrage.

Are there days when the remote workers long for the nine-to-five of a regular European job?
“Never! Never, ever,” Selli insists. “I could never go back. The flexibility is so much better.”

Photo of a laptop on a balcony overlooking rural hilltops