Curious about how much a Scrum Master earns in the Netherlands? Demand for Scrum Masters continues to grow, and so do salaries. In this article, we share current figures for 2026, including freelance rates and factors that influence your salary.
Summary: A Scrum Master in the Netherlands earns on average between €50,000 and €85,000 per year, depending on experience, sector, and location. Freelance Scrum Masters charge €80-€125 per hour.
Want to know what a Scrum Master actually does first? Read our article: What does a Scrum Master do?
Scrum Master salary by experience level (2026)
A Scrum Master's salary in the Netherlands strongly depends on experience. Below are the current salary ranges for 2026:
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Scrum Master (0-2 years) | €45,000 - €55,000 | €3,750 - €4,580 |
| Mid-level Scrum Master (2-5 years) | €55,000 - €72,000 | €4,580 - €6,000 |
| Senior Scrum Master (5-8 years) | €72,000 - €90,000 | €6,000 - €7,500 |
| Lead/Principal Scrum Master (8+ years) | €85,000 - €105,000 | €7,080 - €8,750 |
Source: Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary Insights, January 2026. Annual salaries are gross, including holiday allowance.
Freelance Scrum Master hourly rates 2026
More and more Scrum Masters are choosing freelance work. Rates are higher than employment, but you bear the risk yourself and arrange your own pension and insurance.
Freelance Scrum Master rates in 2026:
- Starter (0-2 years): €70 - €85 per hour
- Experienced (2-5 years): €85 - €105 per hour
- Senior (5+ years): €105 - €130 per hour
At 40 hours per week and 46 workable weeks (accounting for holidays and acquisition), a senior freelance Scrum Master generates a gross annual revenue of €193,000 - €239,000. After deducting costs and taxes, approximately 50-60% remains as net income.
Factors that influence your Scrum Master salary
Your salary as a Scrum Master depends on multiple factors:
1. Location and region
The Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht) offers on average 10-20% higher salaries than other regions. This is due to the concentration of large companies and tech startups.
- Amsterdam: €58,000 - €95,000 (highest salaries)
- Rotterdam/The Hague: €55,000 - €88,000
- Utrecht: €54,000 - €85,000
- Eindhoven (High Tech Campus): €52,000 - €82,000
- Other regions: €48,000 - €75,000
2. Sector and industry
The sector you work in greatly influences your earnings:
| Sector | Salary Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & Banking | €65,000 - €100,000 | Highest salaries, strict compliance |
| Tech & Scale-ups | €60,000 - €95,000 | Often stock options/bonuses |
| Consultancy | €55,000 - €85,000 | Plus external rates at clients |
| Retail & E-commerce | €50,000 - €75,000 | Growing demand due to digitalization |
| Government | €45,000 - €70,000 | Collective labor agreement scales, good benefits |
| Non-profit | €42,000 - €62,000 | Lower salaries, more purpose |
3. Certifications
Recognized certifications can increase your salary by €3,000 - €8,000 per year:
- SMC (ScrumStudy): Good foundation, widely accepted in the Netherlands
- PSM I/II (Scrum.org): Highly valued, especially PSM II
- CSM/A-CSM (Scrum Alliance): Internationally recognized
- SAFe Scrum Master: Valuable at enterprise organizations
Tip: Combine your Scrum Master certification with a Product Owner certification for more flexibility and a stronger CV.
4. Additional skills
Scrum Masters with additional skills earn more:
- Agile Coach capabilities: +€5,000 - €15,000
- SAFe/LeSS experience (scaled Agile): +€5,000 - €10,000
- Technical background: +€3,000 - €8,000
- Change management experience: +€3,000 - €7,000
Scrum Master salary compared to other roles
How does the Scrum Master salary compare to other Agile roles?
| Role | Average Salary (mid-level) | Difference vs SM |
|---|---|---|
| Scrum Master | €62,000 | Baseline |
| Product Owner | €68,000 | +10% |
| Agile Coach | €78,000 | +26% |
| DevOps Engineer | €70,000 | +13% |
| Project Manager (traditional) | €58,000 | -6% |
The Product Owner earns slightly more on average because this role is directly responsible for business value. An Agile Coach earns the most but also requires more experience (typically 7+ years).
Salary negotiation tips for Scrum Masters
Want to earn more as a Scrum Master? Use these negotiation tips:
1. Know your market value
Research salaries for your experience level and region via Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn. Enter the conversation with concrete figures.
2. Quantify your impact
Gather measurable results from your work:
- Improvement in team velocity or throughput
- Reduction in time-to-market
- Higher employee or stakeholder satisfaction
- Successful Agile transformation projects
3. Negotiate the total package
Besides salary, you can negotiate:
- Training budget: €2,000 - €5,000 per year
- Work from home allowance: €50 - €100 per month
- Extra vacation days: 2-5 days above standard
- Bonus: 5-15% of annual salary
- Lease car or mobility budget
4. Timing is everything
The best moments to negotiate:
- After successful completion of a major project
- At your annual performance review
- When you've obtained a new certification
- When your responsibilities expand
Career path: from Scrum Master to Agile Coach
The typical career path for a Scrum Master looks like this:
- Junior Scrum Master (0-2 years) → €45,000 - €55,000
- Mid-level Scrum Master (2-5 years) → €55,000 - €72,000
- Senior Scrum Master (5-8 years) → €72,000 - €90,000
- Lead Scrum Master / Agile Coach (8+ years) → €85,000 - €110,000
- Enterprise Agile Coach / Head of Agile (10+ years) → €100,000 - €140,000
Many Scrum Masters transition to Agile Coach after 5-8 years, where they guide multiple teams and work on Agile transformations at the organizational level.
Frequently asked questions about Scrum Master salary
How much does a Scrum Master earn per month?
A Scrum Master in the Netherlands earns on average €4,500 - €6,500 gross per month, depending on experience and sector. A junior starts around €3,750 per month, a senior can earn up to €7,500 per month.
What does a freelance Scrum Master earn?
Freelance Scrum Masters charge on average €85 - €110 per hour. With full-time deployment of 40 hours per week, this amounts to €14,000 - €17,500 gross per month. After costs and taxes, approximately 50-60% remains.
Does a Scrum Master earn more than a Project Manager?
Yes, on average a Scrum Master earns 5-10% more than a traditional Project Manager. This is because Scrum Masters work in sectors where Agile is applied, often tech and finance, where salaries are higher.
What has the most impact on your salary as a Scrum Master?
Not your certification, but your demonstrable impact on teams determines your salary growth. The best-paid Scrum Masters are those who can show how they helped teams become more successful: shorter time-to-market, higher quality, better collaboration. Experience with multiple teams simultaneously or guiding Agile transformations significantly increases your market value. A certification like SMC, PSM II or SAFe is a nice addition, but employers primarily pay for proven results.
Is there high demand for Scrum Masters in the Netherlands?
Yes, demand for Scrum Masters remains high. In January 2026, there were over 2,500 Scrum Master vacancies open in the Netherlands (source: LinkedIn, Indeed). Demand is particularly high in the Randstad area.
Start your career as a Scrum Master
Ready to become a Scrum Master? With the right training and certification, you can quickly get started in this sought-after role.
Our two-day Scrum Master Training fully prepares you. You'll learn not only the theory but also practice with real-world simulations. Upon completion, you'll receive an official SMC certificate.
Already a Scrum Master and want to advance? Check out our Agile Leadership Training for the next step in your career.
Written by
Merijn Visman
Certified Scrum Trainer
For over 15 years, I have been helping professionals and organizations work more effectively with Agile and Scrum. My trainings are practical, interactive, and immediately applicable in your daily work.
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