The Rio de Janeiro Industry Federation (Firjan) released a ranking of the highest-paying professions on February 17, with seven out of the top ten positions being occupied by engineers.

According to the Brazilian National News Agency, computer engineers topped the list with an average starting salary of 13,794 Brazilian Reais. Following closely were mining engineers and related positions, with an average starting salary of 13,055 Brazilian Reais. In third place were performance directors and related positions, ranking highest among non-engineering professions with an average starting salary of 11,716 Brazilian Reais. This was followed by chemical engineers and related positions (11,181 Brazilian Reais) and mechanical engineers and related positions (10,838 Brazilian Reais).

Firjan noted that the ranking did not include compensation levels for government senior officials, public organization leaders, and corporate executives due to differences in the salary structure for managerial positions.

Research indicates that considering salary data from all professions, the average starting salary in Brazil increased by 2% in 2024 (exceeding the inflation rate for the same period), reaching 2,178 Brazilian Reais. This marks a reversal from the declining trends in 2022 (-2.5%) and 2021 (-4.6%), with the actual growth rate in 2023 at 1.2%.

Jonathas Goulart, Firjan's Economic Research Manager, stated that the real growth in the average starting salary in Brazil was influenced by a decrease in the unemployment rate, leading to increased value placed on professionals in various industries by companies. "The job market is flourishing, prompting an increase in starting salaries."

Goulart pointed out that according to data from the National Geographic and Statistical Institute (IBGE), Brazil's average unemployment rate in 2024 was 6.6%, reaching the lowest level on record. Additionally, Brazil created 1.7 million formal employment positions (with signed labor contracts) last year, a 16.5% increase from 2023.

In different industries, industrial positions have the highest average starting salary, reaching 2,310 Brazilian Reais. The service industry follows with an average starting salary of 2,250 Brazilian Reais. The agricultural sector has an average starting salary of 2,011 Brazilian Reais, below the national average (2,178 Brazilian Reais). The business sector has an average starting salary of 1,926 Brazilian Reais.

In the industrial sector, professions related to oil and natural gas extraction have the highest average starting salary (9,104 Brazilian Reais); in the service industry, gambling-related professions rank first (9,301 Brazilian Reais); in the agricultural sector, professions related to fishing and aquaculture have the highest average starting salary (2,113 Brazilian Reais); and in the business sector, wholesale trade (excluding automobiles and motorcycles) related professions have the highest starting salary (2,267 Brazilian Reais).

In terms of regional breakdown, the highest average starting salary for professions is in São Paulo State (2,473 Brazilian Reais), followed by the Federal District (Distrito Federal, 2,284 Brazilian Reais) and Rio de Janeiro State (2,223 Brazilian Reais). Additionally, only Santa Catarina State (2,198 Brazilian Reais) has an average starting salary exceeding the national average.