Are you planning to move to Germany or already live there and are wondering if your salary is fair? Here are some pointers to guide you a bit.
In this guide, you will find updated salary data for 2026, including average salaries, a complete table by profession, and real-life examples of how much money you actually receive after tax.
Quick overview of salaries in Germany (2026)
Before we go into detail, here's a quick summary:
Gross average salary: €3,800 - €4,200 per month
Minimum wage (2026): €13.90 gross per hour
Typical net salary: €2,000 – €2,800 per month
Best-paying sectors: IT, engineering, healthcare, finance, and law.
Please note: In Germany, salaries are usually expressed in gross, not net.Here you can see more about what these terms mean and how to calculate them.)
Net salary
Due to high taxes and social security contributions, a single person (tax class 1) typically receives between 55 % and 65 % of their gross salary. For an average salary, the monthly net wage is approximately €2,000 – €3,100.
Salary table in Germany (2026)
Profession | Gross salary (€) | Net salary (approx. €) |
|---|---|---|
Waiter/Waitress | 2.200 | 1.500 |
Delivery driver | 2.200 | 1,500 (plus tips) |
Cleaner | 2.000 | 1.400 |
Picker (depot) | 2.400 | 1.600 |
Nurse | 3.200 | 2.000 |
Electrician | 3.000 | 1.900 |
Administrative Assistant | 2.800 | 1.800 |
Professor | 4.000 | 2.400 |
Engineer | 4.500 | 2.700 |
IT Specialist | 5.000 | 3.000 |
Doctor | 5.500+ | 3.200+ |
Job offers for freelancers
At Rover Germany, you can earn between €300 and over €1500 a month working part-time as a pet sitter, depending on your location and the services you offer. Top-performing sitters offering boarding and house-sitting services can earn considerably more, but most use it as a supplementary income. Fees usually range from €30 to €50 per 24-hour stay.
The cleaners Helpling In Germany, self-employed cleaners typically earn between €15 and €30 per hour. Full-time cleaners can earn more than €2,000 per month, while those working part-time (approximately 10 hours a week) can earn over €800. Earnings depend on the city, cleaning experience, and the set rate, with an overall average of around €21 per hour on the platform.
⚠️ These are averages and may vary depending on experience, company, and location.
Salaries by profession
Salaries in Germany vary greatly by sector:
Best-paid jobs: IT, engineering, medicine, finance and law.
Average salaries: administration, skilled trades
Lower salaries: hospitality, cleaning, basic services
If you have relevant qualifications or experience, your earning potential can increase significantly. However, it's important to note that in many well-paid sectors (such as IT or medicine) most companies expect you to speak fluent German. If this is not yet the case, it's a good idea to invest in a German course before you apply, as it will greatly improve your job opportunities and allow you to grow much faster.
If you've just arrived in Germany and don't speak German yet, here's a guide that will be very helpful when looking for a job: «How to find a job in Germany without speaking German»
Salaries by city
The place where you live in Germany has a big impact on your salary:
Salaries highest: Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart
Average salaries: Hamburg, Cologne
Lower salaries: East Germany (Leipzig, Dresden)
However, higher salaries are usually accompanied by a higher cost of living, especially when it comes to rent. We lived in Berlin for a year and found housing to be quite expensive. Interestingly, we were able to save more money in Leipzig, where salaries are slightly lower but the cost of living is much more affordable. Here you can compare rental costs in different German cities: Complete guide to finding accommodation in Germany
Salaries by experience
Experience plays a very important role in salary:
Junior (0–2 years): €2,500 – €3,200 gross
Intermediate level (3–5 years): €3,200 – €4,200 gross
Senior (5+ years): €4,500+ gross
In sectors like IT, salaries can increase very quickly.
Gross salary vs net salary in Germany
This is one of the most important points you need to understand.
In Germany, your gross salary (Brutto) It is not what you actually receive.
Your salary is deducted for:
Income tax
Health insurance
Pension contributions
Unemployment insurance
Your net salary (Netto) depends on:
Tax class (married or single)
If you have children
Your income level
You can read more about taxes in this article
🚨Adhere to a Krankenkasse (compulsory public insurance) and get your social security number. AT THIS LINK(even if you don't have an employment contract yet!)
We explain everything to you, step by step and without you having to pay anything extra🚨
Real-life example
Let's simplify it:
Gross salary: €3,000/month
Net salary (single, tax class 1): ~€1,900
👉 You lose about 30% to 40% in taxes and contributions.
❓ FAQs – Salaries in Germany
What is the minimum wage in Germany in 2026?
The minimum wage is €13.90 gross per hour from 1 January 2026. From 1 January 2027, it will increase to €14.60 gross per hour.
Is earning €2,000 net enough to live on in Germany?
Yes, but it depends on the city. It's easier in smaller cities than in Munich or Frankfurt. We live in Berlin and were still able to save some money, but it's definitely easier in smaller cities.
What is considered a good salary in Germany?
Generally, more than €2,500 net per month is considered a good salary for a single person. However, we believe that you can also live well in Germany on €1,500; it all depends on you and your life expectations.
Conclusion
Salaries in Germany are relatively high compared to many countries, but so are taxes and the cost of living.
The key is not just how much you earn, but how much you have left and how much you spend.
If you're thinking about moving, understanding salaries is one of the most important steps to starting your new life with realistic expectations.
We hope you have enjoyed this article and feel a little more prepared for everything that awaits you here in Germany.
Other articles that may be of interest to you:
- How to join a German public insurance?--> Learn step by step how to get your krankenkasse and social security number!
- What do I need to start working in Germany? -> A simple step-by-step guide to everything you need to know to start working legally in Germany.
- Everything you need to know about the Anmeldung -> basic step-by-step guide to anmeldung
