Your guide to average salaries in Germany (2026)

Set realistic expectations for average salaries in Germany. Get an overview of minimum wages in Germany and learn to understand German payslips!

Ellie

2 minute read

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Updated on 7 Apr 2026

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Working

It's tough for new expats to get a real feel for what is considered a good salary. So, with thousands of internationals looking for a job in Germany every year, you're not alone in wondering how to go about negotiating your pay. But knowing the average salary in Germany is €2,972 after tax, compare it to the minimum wage and how that relates to the cost of living will navigate you in the right direction.

To save you time, this guide will walk you through all things salary-related.

As of 2026, the minimum wage in Germany is €13.90 per hour. So, for a full-time worker working a 40-hour week, the minimum salary in Germany is €2,409 per month or €28,912 per year. In other words, In Germany, the minimum wage after tax is €1,712 per month.

The German minimum wage applies to almost all workers above 18, including foreigners, part-time workers, and seasonal workers.

There are a few exceptions when the minimum wage does not apply, including if:

• you're self-employed
• a freelancer in Germany
• a volunteer
• an apprentice
• it's your first 6 months of employment after a long unemployment period
• your industry has a collective agreement.

The minimum wage is set at a federal level, and if your German employer does not pay you the legal minimum wage, you can either ask your employer or seek advice on your legal rights.

Is there a minimum wage in Germany for students?

Yes! The minimum wage in Germany for (international) students is the same as for everyone else — €13.90 per hour. However, there are certain conditions.

Students and interns in Germany are entitled to a minimum wage once they satisfy certain conditions:

• The internship has to exceed 3 months
• It's not a compulsory requirement by your university
• It's not an apprenticeship
• You’re not a volunteer

If you're a student doing vocational training, you won't be eligible for minimum wage. However, you can still expect to earn a salary. While the average wage is €724 euros per month, exactly how much you earn depends on the region, profession, and experience. And if you're looking to stretch your finances further, you can look for German scholarships for international students.

According to StepStone’s 2026 Salary Report, in Germany, the average annual gross median salary is €53,900, which is €4,492 monthly.

According to The Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the gross monthly average salary for a full-time employee in Germany was €4,784 in April 2025. This makes the average annual gross salary €57,408, according to the FSO.

Since the net salary is your salary after tax and any social contributions, it's the best indicator of how much you're really earning. The net salary depends on various factors such as tax class and location. Overall, the average salary in Germany is €2,971.54 after tax (using the average of €3,946 gross).

To get an accurate estimate of your net salary, you can use this tool.

Now that you know the average salary, you might be wondering what is considered a good salary in Germany. A good salary in Germany depends not only on your lifestyle but also on where you live, as the cost of living differs from city to city. So it helps to compare the best cities in Germany to live in before you commit to a move.

In general terms, a good annual gross salary in Germany is between €65,000 and €81,000. However, most Germans who earn a yearly gross salary of €60,000 and above are happy with their salary, which translates to earning about €5,417 per month.

Here's what our guest on our HomeAbroad podcast has to say about what he considers a good salary in Germany:

[https://open.spotify.com/episode/47y3VKwbQthLVqSOcbc6Op?si=2a1e6b74d0fe422b](