Salaries in Germany: How Much Germans and Migrants Earn

Germany is a major destination for many foreigners looking for work in Europe. It has the strongest economy among all European countries. Migrants arrive not only from Central and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, but also from EU member states such as Poland and Romania. In addition, there are many workers from European countries outside the EU, like Moldova.

What primarily attracts foreign workers is the high level of wages. As of May 2025, Germany ranks third in salary levels among EU countries (after Liechtenstein and Denmark). However, unlike these countries, Germany offers a relatively high number of job vacancies for migrants.

In this article, we explain the average salary in Germany in 2025, explore how much different professions earn, what the minimum wage is, and what net income residents and non-residents can expect after taxes.

According to the job platform Layboard.com, the average gross salary in Germany as of May 2025 is €4,200 per month.

The lowest salaries in Germany are typically earned by workers in the hospitality industry (€2,500–€2,700/month), employees in agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors (€2,600–€2,800/month), staff in small companies with fewer than 50 employees.

Salary levels depend heavily on work experience. A specialist with more than 6 years of experience typically earns about 40% more than an entry-level employee (or one with up to 3 years of experience).

Collective bargaining agreements may also include individual salary bonuses. For example, HR staff in many companies receive a special supplement, the size of which depends on the company’s industry and internal policies. These bonuses can amount to 70–80% of the base salary.

Here’s a look at the average annual salaries in Germany (based on analytical platforms):

These average figures are not always fully representative. In most cases, when calculating average salaries, the figures tend to be skewed upward (that is, in reality, the average values are lower than those shown in the table). That’s why experts often use the median salary for a more accurate assessment.

In Germany, the median salary is around €3,800, which is almost €400 less than the average value.

In 2015, Germany introduced a statutory minimum wage, which applies to all able-bodied individuals, except for the following categories:

The minimum wage in Germany also applies to foreign nationals. If an employer pays less than the legal minimum, the company may face a fine.

As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Germany is €12.82 per hour. Some sectors have their own minimum wages, set by collective agreements, but they cannot be lower than the federal rate.

Employees working part-time are also entitled to the minimum wage (€12.82). These workers are called mini-jobbers. However, to maintain mini-job status, certain conditions must be met:

Mini-jobbers may earn more only through unplanned overtime. Otherwise, working hours must be reduced.

In Germany, both residents and non-residents usually state their gross salary on pay slips. This includes the base income, taxes, and mandatory contributions. Social insurance contributions are shared proportionally between the employee and the employer.

Taxes and contributions for employed workers:

In 2025, average deductions from gross salary in Germany range from 35–40%. For example, with a gross annual salary of €45,000, a full-time employee receives a net income of approximately €30,000. To calculate net income more precisely, it’s recommended to use a salary calculator that accounts for all applicable taxes and contributions.

Among the highest-paid professions in Germany are doctors, managers, executives, IT specialists, and engineers. For example, the average salary of doctors in Germany is almost twice as high as that of blue-collar workers. A doctor’s income depends on their specialization, region, and the medical facility where they work. Here are the gross annual salaries for doctors:

Nurses can expect to earn between €37,000 and €51,000 annually.

Salaries in other fields (according to employment agencies):

The final salary is determined by the employer based on the candidate’s experience and professional skills.

All officially employed residents and non-residents in Germany are entitled to minimum wage, provided they have a valid work permit. In other words, migrants with legal employment can earn the same salary as German citizens.

The challenge is that many migrants come to Germany with limited work experience and no knowledge of the language, which makes it harder to find high-paying jobs. However, learning German or English significantly increases one’s chances of successful employment. This applies to both blue-collar and highly qualified professionals (doctors, teachers, engineers).

Career advancement opportunities exist in all sectors. In Germany, employers primarily evaluate the employee’s professionalism, not their citizenship.

There is a noticeable salary gap between the eastern and western states of Germany. The eastern regions include Brandenburg, Saxony, and Thuringia. The western regions include Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. Excluding the capital, Berlin, employees in western Germany earn nearly 15% more on average than those in the east. According to recruitment agencies, the average salary in Berlin is around €4,400 per month.

The closer to the capital, the higher the salaries tend to be. That’s why many migrants aim to settle in large central cities, which offer better job opportunities.

Keep in mind: this data may change as new job listings are published on recruitment platforms.

Returning to the topic of migrant salaries, it’s worth noting that many foreign workers not only cover living expenses but also regularly send money back home to support their families. As a result, in the first few years in Germany, their disposable income is often significantly lower than that of German citizens. This makes their financial situation quite challenging.

In such conditions, every opportunity to save counts — including using Korona for money transfers.

Advantages of the Korona app:

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