What Is Considered A GOOD SALARY In Germany?

 your salary really depends on a variety of different factors. Some of

The most crucial ones include location, work experience, education, size of the company, and unfortunately, gender. Yes, it's true. To provide you with a more comprehensive understanding, let's compare some of the most popular cities for internationals in Germany based on average salary by location.

simplegermany.com

 

These figures are sourced from the website lohnsfeglich.com. We'll start with Munich, where the average gross salary is 46,752 euros per year. In Dusseldorf, it's 45,468 euros per year, in Stuttgart it's 47,580 euros, in Hamburg 41,976 euros, in Frankfurt 47,856 euros, and in Berlin, it's 37,800 euros per year.

 

Based on location and a full-time 40-hour work week, certain nuances can be observed from these numbers. Munich, known for being the most expensive city to live in Germany, does not pay the highest salary on average. It is close to the top range, but cities like Stuttgart and Frankfurt pay more. Stuttgart, being one of the top three most expensive cities, and Frankfurt, being the banking capital, have a high influence on salaries. There is a significant gap between all the cities mentioned and Berlin, with a 10,000 euro gap in gross salary per year. Berlin, although not very expensive in terms of supermarkets and dining out, has seen a rise in living costs in recent years. Therefore, in Berlin, one must pay attention to their salary.

 

 Now that we've discussed average salary based on location, let's delve into the impact of profession on salary. In another video on how to secure a job in Germany without speaking German, we highlighted that individuals in the tech or IT industry have higher chances of obtaining English-speaking jobs compared to those in non-tech industries.

 

With this in mind, let's focus on tech-related jobs or digital departments within companies. We'll explore three popular digital job titles. Starting with the project manager, depending on your experience, you could earn between 52,000 and 67,000 euros gross per year. The salary range varies based on experience levels, with a significant difference between those with less than three years of experience and those with over nine years.

 

Moving on to a software engineer role, individuals with less than three years of experience could earn an average of 54,000 euros, whereas senior software engineers with over nine years of experience could earn up to 70,000 euros per year on average. As a UX designer, fresh professionals can earn as little as 42,000 euros and as much as 54,000 euros on average, depending on their level of experience. These figures provide an estimation of earnings in these professions across the country. Gender disparity in salaries is a prevalent issue in Germany, as in many other countries. On average, men earn 49,752 euros gross per year, while women earn 42,936 euros per year.

 

The gender pay gap remains a significant concern, but various initiatives, such as 50 in Tech, are working towards reducing this gap by promoting equal pay and diversity in the workforce. Company size also plays a role in determining salaries. Generally, larger companies with more employees and a more corporate structure tend to offer higher salaries compared to smaller, startup-like companies.

 

Larger companies often provide additional benefits and perks to their employees, further enhancing the overall compensation package. When determining what constitutes a good salary in Germany, it's essential to consider various factors such as job satisfaction, purchasing power, and cost of living.

 

A study conducted by StepStone in 2021 revealed that many Germans are content with salaries above 64,000 euros per year, while dissatisfaction arises when earning equal to or below 49,000 euros annually. However, individual preferences and lifestyle choices significantly influence one's perception of a good salary.

 

Personal experiences, career progression, and quality of life enhancements also contribute to overall satisfaction with one's income. It is crucial to assess your financial needs, lifestyle expectations, and family circumstances when evaluating the adequacy of your salary in Germany. By understanding where you stand in relation to the average salary and considering various factors affecting your financial well-being, you can make informed decisions to achieve financial stability and contentment. Cheers to your financial success!