Web3 Industry Urban Salary Disparity Analysis: MyJob Report Reveals Global Trends

Hi! I'm Charles

Honestly, I recently saw a job seeker at my booth at ETHGlobal Tokyo ask me, "Why are Web3 developer salaries so much higher in San Francisco than Singapore?" I thought... that's actually an interesting question. It was raining in Tokyo that day, the coffee shop line was long, and I sipped my hot Americano while observing the anxious expressions of job seekers. Hmm... By the way, having recruited for Web3 for 10 years, I've found that city salary differences are like blockchain Gas Fees—superficially about costs, but fundamentally about ecosystem balance and expenses.

Today, I want to talk about Web3 salaries across different cities and how living costs factor in. Just a heads-up, this analysis is based on my personal experience and recent MyJob report data. And no, I'm not selling anything—just sharing some observations.

Global city salary disparities: Analyzing data trends

Data trends show that Web3 salaries vary significantly by region worldwide. From my experience, it's not just about numbers—it involves living costs, tax policies, and local tech ecosystems.

First, in North America—like San Francisco and New York—city salaries are generally higher. Take Solidity developer roles, for example: average annual salaries in San Francisco range from $150K to $250K (~¥1M to ¥1.75M), while New York is slightly lower at $120K to $200K. This is because these cities host major Web3 players like the Ethereum Foundation or ConsenSys headquarters.

But Asia tells a different story. Tokyo and Singapore offer moderate Web3 developer salaries. Tokyo averages ¥8M to ¥15M (~$60K to $120K), significantly lower than North America, but high living costs can offset this advantage. Watching job seekers queue for interviews at Tokyo subway stations often reminds me of Gas Fees—just like waiting in line for coffee, high living costs eat into earnings.

Data trends also indicate rising Web3 salaries in Southeast Asian cities like Singapore and Bangkok. For instance, smart contract developers in Bangkok earn an average of S$50K to S$100K (~$35K to $70K), thanks to supportive local crypto policies. By the way, this reminds me of the tourists I saw at Singapore Airport—some places look glamorous, but actual costs matter.

Compared to Chinese cities, Beijing and Shanghai offer mid-range Web3 salaries. Solidity developers in Beijing average ¥80K to ¥150K (~$12K to $24K), while Shanghai is slightly higher at ¥100K to ¥200K. But note that second-tier cities like Chengdu or Chongqing have much lower living costs, prompting companies to offer higher salaries to attract talent. Over tea in Chengdu, an entrepreneur once told me, "Doing Web3 in second-tier cities saves costs we can reinvest."

The MyJob report recently surveyed global Web3 talent mobility, covering 500+ developers. Data shows North American developers earn 40% more on average than Asians—but that doesn’t mean Asia lacks opportunities. In fact, job satisfaction tends to be higher there due to lower living pressures.

How living costs affect city salaries

Beyond base pay, living costs are key to assessing city salary value. A high salary with exorbitant rent might leave you worse off.

Take San Francisco—Web3’s "holy land"—where rents are absurdly high. A mid-sized apartment can cost $5K+/month (~¥35K), consuming most of a developer’s income. Watching young professionals cram into NYC subways during my Central Park strolls drives this home.

In contrast, Asian cities like Tokyo or Singapore balance costs better. A Tokyo studio averages ¥200K/month (~$1.5K), and while Web3 salaries there are lower (~¥800K to ¥1.2M/month), the overall value proposition is stronger.

Data trends reveal that emerging markets like Ho Chi Minh City or Manila offer much lower living costs. Rent in HCMC might be just a few hundred dollars (~¥400), letting local Web3 firms offer competitive pay—e.g., Layer 2 developers there average $60K to $100K (~¥420K to ¥700K). During a flight delay, I video-called Vietnamese colleagues discussing projects—they said, "The work rhythm here is freer."

Taxes also matter. Web3 salaries face varying tax burdens globally—higher in the U.S., lighter in Singapore. At a Tokyo conference, I noticed Japan’s tax incentives for Web3 talent directly impact local pay scales.

Real cases: A job seeker’s perspective

Let me share a story illustrating how city choices play out. Last year, I helped a developer move from London to Singapore. With Solidity experience, he earned ~$80K pre-tax in London, but living costs were brutal—rent consumed 50%+ of his income.

In Singapore, his Web3 salary rose ~30% to $100K pre-tax, with rent dropping to 25%. More importantly, career prospects improved—he joined a StarkNet project via MyJob.one, gaining valuable experience.

The MyJob report highlights another case: A developer moving from SF to Hong Kong saw higher earnings. Despite high living costs, Hong Kong’s low taxes push DeFi developer averages to $220K (~¥1.54M), slightly above SF—reminding me of Victoria Peak’s panoramic views.

• Solana dev in Mumbai: ~₹700K/year (~$800), but relaxed living;
• Ethereum dev in Berlin: ~€120K (~$130K), enjoying European work culture;
• ZK-Rollup expert in Porto: Moderate pay but high quality of life.

By the way, I always advise job seekers to look beyond salary—consider take-home pay, lifestyle, and growth opportunities.

Career advice: Choosing your city

As an HR veteran and tech expert, I often hear: "Which city is best for Web3?" My advice blends personal factors with market data.

Step 1: Assess skill demand

1. Solidity/smart contract experts find more opportunities in North America/Europe;
2. Layer 2/Rollup specialists thrive in Asian emerging markets;
3. DeFi/NFT experience opens doors in hubs like Hong Kong or Singapore.

Step 2: Calculate net income

Don’t fixate on base city salaries! Factor in taxes—e.g., SF leaves ~70% post-tax, while Dubai or Malaysia retain more.

MyJob.one recently launched city-based role matching—honestly, a game-changer for job seekers.

Step 3: Plan long-term growth

At ETHGlobal Tokyo, I met a developer who grew a Layer 2 project from scratch—moving from Singapore boosted his income 50% while expanding his network. Prioritize cities with thriving ecosystems.

Data trends suggest Asia will lead Web3 salary growth over five years—inspiring me to consider Bangkok for market research.

Future outlook & MyJob’s role

Reflecting on global Web3 salary gaps, I believe tech will bridge them—envisioning fairer global opportunities soon.

MyJob.one plays a key role—we analyze data trends to guide decisions. For example, our platform shows salary ranges and city distributions for specific skills.

Data Trend Insights from MyJob Report:

• Ethereum roles: Highest pay in North America; Asia next; Africa holds potential;
• Solana roles: India/SE Asia lead;
• NFT designers: High demand in creative hubs like Basel or Seoul;
• DApp developers: Rapid growth in the Middle East;

By the way, staying adaptable is crucial in this fast-changing industry—late-night recruitment copy edits often make me wonder, "Should I try Dubai?" But reality calls for stable platforms like MyJob.