When it comes to hiring top-tier Quality and Regulatory Affairs (QARA) professionals in the medical devices industry, three countries lead the pack in Europe: The UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland. These hubs offer deep talent pools, strong regulatory environments and mature MedTech ecosystems, but they also come with varying costs and hiring challenges.
A common question when recruiting for these roles is “Where can we find the best QARA talent, and how much will it cost us?” The answer will depend on your strategy, whether you’re looking to build out a local team, hire remote professionals, or attract international talent.
United Kingdom, Resilient, but Competitive
Post Brexit, the UK’s medical device regulatory landscape has shifter. With MHRA moving towards a distinct regulatory framework, companies need QARA Professionals with both EU MDR and UKCA experience. These hybrid profiles are in high demand and, naturally, command premium salaries.
Cost Snapshot (2025 estimates):
- Quality/Regulatory Specialist: £45,000-£60,000
- Regulatory Affairs Manager: £70,000-£90,000
- Head of Regulatory or Quality: £100,000-£130,000+
Considerations:
- London and the South East are the most expensive regions.
- Remote work flexibility can open up lower-cost candidates in the North or Midlands.
- Contract rates for interim support are also rising, often £400-£700/day.
Netherlands, A Magnet for EU MDR Talent
With its central location, excellent infrastructure and status as a favoured base for international MedTech companies, the Netherlands is a regulatory hotspot. Many EU regulatory experts are based here, and Dutch professionals are typically multilingual and experienced in navigating international frameworks.
Cost Snapshot (2025 estimates):
- Quality/Regulatory Specialist: €55,000-€75,000
- Regulatory Affairs Manager: €80,000-€100,000
- Director Level QARA: €120,000-150,000+
Considerations:
- Amsterdam and Utrecht have the highest salary expectations.
- Demand for EU MDR specialists is pushing salaries up.
- Contract/interim talent is often sourced through agencies and priced at €500-€900/day.
Switzerland, Premium Talent, Premium Price
Switzerland offers the most experienced regulatory workforce in Europe. With many global HQs for MedTech giants based in Zurich, Basel and Zug, it attracts seasoned professionals, but at a premium cost.
Cost Snapshot (2025 estimates):
Quality/Regulatory Specialist: CHF 90,000- CHF 120,000
Regulatory Affairs Manager: CHF 130,000- CHF 160,000
Senior Director QARA: CHF 180,000- CHF 220,000 +
Considerations:
- Salaries are higher, but so is productivity and multilingual ability.
- Contract work is less common, and companies often hire on permanent terms.
- Cost of living competition for talent makes retention key.
What This Means For Employers
If you’re expanding your regulatory team, understanding the talent landscape and its cost is essential. Here are a few takeaways:
- Flexibility wins: Hybrid and remote roles help attract a wider range of candidates and can mitigate costs.
- Speed matters: Good candidates don’t stay on the market long. A slow hiring process can mean paying more later.
- Cost interim solutions: For short-term compliance or remediation projects, contractors can provide cost-effective, high-impact support.
- Plan for retention: High salaries alone won’t keep top talent. Career progression, culture and purpose are just as critical.
Need Help Navigating the Market?
Hiring quality and regulatory professionals isn’t just about matching CVs to job specs. It’s about understanding your company’s needs, cultures and goals, and finding the right people who can ensure your products remain compliant, competitive and on the market.
If you’re looking for insights, benchmarking data or help with a difficult hire, I’d love to chat. Let’s build your QARA team with the right people, in the right places, at the right time. Take a look at our market updates for your industry to see the current salaries, top skills and the top locations that are experiencing the highest demand for talent.
Email me at james.allen@darwinrecruitment.com.
Or connect with me on LinkedIn and send me a message!
