The minimum wage in Germany today is 9.60 euros per hour
As the publication "Russkaya Germaniya" notes, in different federal states, differences in wages, all other things being equal, can reach 15 thousand euros per year. Another factor influencing income is the company itself – large German companies usually pay more than small firms.
In addition, education plays an important role for salary. University graduates earn about 57 thousand euros per year, while workers without higher education earn 37,800 thousand euros. Being in a managerial position also allows you to earn much more than ordinary employees. The average earnings of managers are more than 95 thousand euros per year.
As for the field of work, the highest-paying industry is biotechnology. This, in particular, was influenced by the pandemic. Specialists involved in the field of biotechnology are engaged in the development of vaccines and drugs aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus infection. The average salary of employees in this industry is about 67,500 euros per year.
In the retail, tourism and restaurant business, on the contrary, salaries are among the lowest in the country. Employees involved in these areas receive about 30 thousand euros per year. The pandemic also had a negative impact on the income of workers in these industries.
Salaries also vary depending on the region. The highest-paying work in your specialty can be found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Hesse and Hamburg, while in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg salaries are among the lowest in the country.
As for the most profitable professions, the profession of a doctor is still considered the highest paid. In addition to doctors, managers in sales, managers in logistics and IT workers earn well. Specialists include hairdressers, catering workers, call center employees, and medical support staff among the least profitable positions.
However, the minimum wage in Germany will increase again. In 2021, it was raised twice, and as of October 2021, it is 9.60 euros per hour. In 2022, two increases are also expected – in the period from January 1 to June 30, 2022, it will be 9.82 euros per hour of work, and in the second half of the year it will increase to 10.45 euros.