Salary benchmarking

Compensation in the Dutch international sector is shaped by a unique set of factors: tax rulings that affect net pay, pension schemes that vary dramatically by sector, and a talent pool where candidates routinely compare offers across intergovernmental organisations, defence contractors, and commercial technology firms. Standard salary surveys rarely capture the nuances of this market, leaving employers either overpaying relative to peers or losing candidates to better-informed competitors.

Octagon conducts salary benchmarking studies specific to the sectors we serve: aerospace, defence, deep technology, and international organisations based in the Netherlands. We analyse total compensation packages including base salary, holiday allowance, pension contributions, 30% ruling impact, and non-monetary benefits. The result is a data-driven compensation framework that positions your organisation competitively within the Dutch market while maintaining internal equity across roles and seniority levels.