MINIMUM AND AVERAGE SALARY IN GERMANY
Germany is located in the center of Europe, washed by the waters of the Baltic and North Seas. It borders with Denmark in the north, Poland and Czech Republic in the east, Austria and Switzerland in the south, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands in the west. It is the most economically developed state in the European Union with high living standards and decent wages.
The population of Germany is about 84 million people. Millions of foreigners from different parts of the world dream to live and work in this country. Besides ethnic Germans, there are many Turks, Italians, Greeks, Poles, Russians, and representatives of other nationalities. Let's find out what salaries in Germany in 2023.
Minimum salary in Germany
According to the German government, the official minimum wage in Germany since January 1, 2023 is 12 euros per hour. The monthly income is €1,981 and the annual income is €23,772. Compared to last year, the minimum wage in Germany increased by €360 per month (18.2%). Inflation at the end of 2022 was 7.9%, therefore the purchasing power of German workers has increased.
Important. Over the past 8 years, the hourly minimum wage in Germany increased by 3.50 euros – from 8.50 euros in 2015 to 12 euros in 2023.
The minimum wage law in Germany was introduced only on January 1, 2015 by the third government of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. This was a central promise during the election campaign in 2013. Previously, rates were set based on collective agreements between trade unions and entrepreneurs.
The federal minimum wage in Germany applies to almost all employees, including foreign specialists, part-time trainees and people working during probationary periods. The exceptions are freelancers and self-employed and in the case of internships that last less than three months or are part of university courses, volunteer work or apprenticeships.
Some industries in Germany have higher minimum wage rates.
| Scope of activity | Euro per hour |
| Pedagogical staff with additional qualifications | 18.41 |
| Pedagogical staff | 17.87 |
| Glass and facade cleaning activities | 16.20 |
| Trade in roofs | 13.30 |
| Trade in electrical equipment | 13.40 |
| Stone masonry and stone carving | 13.35 |
| Trade in construction timber | 12.85 |
| Prolonged care | 13.90 |
| Internal and technical cleaning | 13 |
| Meat-processing industry | 11.50 |
Average salary in Germany
According to official data from the Federal Statistical Office, the average salary in Germany in 2023 is 4,105 euros per month before taxes (gross). After all mandatory deductions, about 2,800 euros (net) remains at the disposal of local workers. Women in Germany earn on average 19.12 euros per hour, which is 17.5% less than men's – 23.20 euros.
In 2023, Germany's highest-income sectors are "electricity," "information and communication" and "financial and insurance services. Here, employees earned an average of 5,180 to 5,636 euros per month. The lowest gross monthly earnings were recorded for accommodation and catering activities – 2,539 euros.
The average salary of doctors in Germany (health workers and nurses) in 2023 is 3,502 euros per month. Specialists in nursing homes receive about 3,116 euros. Management staff in hospitals earn an average of 8,545 euros per month, and specialists with high qualifications and experience earn up to 4,524 euros. By comparison, the food retail sector generates an average income of about 2,480 euros per month.
| Sector of economy | Euro per month |
| Financial and insurance services | 5,636 |
| Information and communication | 5,509 |
| Electricity supply | 5,180 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 5,141 |
| Education | 4,634 |
| Mining | 4,351 |
| Production | 4,277 |
| Public Administration and defense | 4,193 |
| Industrial and economic services | 4,098 |
| Real estate | 4,002 |
| Water supply | 3,780 |
| Art, entertainment and leisure | 3,625 |
| Construction | 3,472 |
| Transportation and storage | 3,299 |
| Accommodation and food | 2,480 |
Note. Information on minimum and average wages in Germany by sector is based on current official data from the German Federal Statistical Office.
In conclusion, we note that the unemployment rate in Germany is about 5–6%, and the income tax rate in 2023 ranges from 0% (income up to 10,632 euros per year) to 45% (income over 277,825 euros per year).
