These Countries Offer the Highest Wages for 32 Common Occupations

If you’re considering a radical lifestyle change, you may have thought about relocating and living abroad. Unless you’re financially set, part of that equation is whether your professional skills can be put to use in another country—and how much you can expect to earn for said skills.

Recently, UK insurance firm William Russell tabulated the average salaries for 32 common occupations across 38 countries. Being a barista in the United States, for example, could net you $31,961 a year according to Glassdoor. That same job in Switzerland, however, offers a nearly 50 percent pay increase—to $45,375.

Here's where those jobs can provide the greatest return:

As you can see, Switzerland's compensation across a number of careers is more than competitive. But salary is just one of the many factors involved in a person’s financial status. Certain countries have higher (or lower) costs of living, from food to rent to transportation, which may or may not temper a more substantial salary. You'll also need to navigate language requirements for certain jobs, as well as work permits. Whether it ultimately pays off is largely up to your specific circumstances. That 30-foot-tall chocolate fountain in Zurich sure is one for the pro column, though.