Methodology
EarnVerdict compares three income paths — skill upgrades, side hustles, and job switches — using realistic ranges rather than precise predictions. Here is how we build those estimates.
Why ranges, not numbers
Income outcomes are uncertain. A freelancer might earn €20/hour or €50/hour depending on niche, experience, and market timing. Giving you a single number would be dishonest. Every estimate in EarnVerdict shows a min–max range that reflects real-world variance.
Skill upgrade data
Salary uplift estimates come from market benchmark comparisons — the difference between roles with and without a specific skill. Ranges (e.g., €8k–€15k for Data Analysis) reflect variation across seniority, market, and employer type. Learning periods are based on structured course completion timelines.
Side hustle data
Hourly rates come from platform data and market surveys. For hours-based hustles, we calculate monthly income as: hours/week × hourly rate × 4 weeks. For volatile hustles (content, e-commerce), we show wide monthly ranges with a high-volatility flag.
Job switch data
Salary increase ranges for job switches come from market surveys on actual salary changes when moving between employers. We separate same-role moves, better-company moves, and role upgrades, each with distinct ranges.
City adjustments
When you select a city, we apply a cost-of-living multiplier that adjusts all income estimates. Multipliers range from 0.6× (low-cost cities like Budapest) to 1.5× (high-cost cities like Zurich and San Francisco). If no city is selected, we use a European average (1.0×).
Opportunity cost
Every path has an opportunity cost — the value of the alternative you're giving up. We explicitly compare what your available hours could earn in side hustles vs. what they could produce in long-term skill growth, helping you see the trade-off clearly.
What we don't model
- Tax implications (these vary dramatically by country and situation)
- Individual aptitude or learning speed
- Market timing or economic cycles
- Compound effects beyond the first year
Disclaimer
EarnVerdict is an informational tool. Estimates are modelled from market benchmarks and do not represent guaranteed earnings. Always do your own research before making career or financial decisions.