Why Knowing Salary Ranges In Germany Is Essential – When you’re searching for work in Berlin, or elsewhere in Germany, it’s a good idea to know the salary range (Gehaltsband) for your chosen profession. Your desired salary range is actually one of the very first things a German company will ask you about.
Why Knowing Salary Ranges In Germany Is Essential
If you’re like me, coming from somewhere like Canada, salary isn’t usually discussed until the time of offer. So it feels pretty strange to be asked about it so directly and so early on in the recruitment process. Some job descriptions in Germany will even request that you include your preferred salary in the cover letter or it may also appear as a field on the job application.
In the past, I’ve purposely avoided adding that information to my job application. Recruiters have since told me that when they see that potential candidates haven’t specified a salary range when it was explicitly requested, they often discard the applications completely. They’ll see you as someone who misses attention to detail, is being disrespectful by not following their instructions, and/or that you’re being duplicitous.
When I managed to get to the next stage of the recruitment process, expected salary expectations would always come up during the first introductory call. Nervously, I’d fumble my way through the conversation saying something like “Whatever market rate is paying for someone with my profile.” This was never accepted as an answer and the recruiter would always press on, asking me to provide a range. I’d usually throw something out there, never knowing if I undersold myself or priced myself too high – and even worse, out of a job.
German companies ask for this information up front, as they want to know if your salary expectations come close to what they’re able to offer. It’s actually better for both parties to find out how close they align at the beginning of the recruitment process. For example, I remember talking with a candidate who wanted way more than we’d budgeted for that position. Finding out high expectations on salary right away allowed us to mutually decide not to continue.
As uncomfortable as it can be, there’s no getting away from it. You need to be ready to talk about salary, speak about it with confidence, and able to justify why you should get what you’re asking for.
Where To Research Salary Ranges In Germany
The best places to research salary ranges for your profession are:
1) GEHALT.de
2) LinkedIn
3) Glassdoor
4) kununu
5) Berliners can refer to thishomegrown spreadsheetwhere locals have been entering their salary ranges for a while now. The data in the spreadsheet is likely not totally accurate, so don’t get stressed out by anything you see there. Simply use it as an additional frame of reference that shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
6) A simple search may land you on other specialized websites not mentioned here. Search for “<profession> salaries <location>” and see what information that yields. Since I work as an Agile Coach, I’d search for “Agile coach salaries Berlin”.
7) If you want to know what Germans earn on average and what are the highest paid positions, check paylab and ru-geld.de.
8) To figure out what your salary would be after taxes, use this calculator.
What Affects Where You Land Within A German Salary Range
There are a number of things to think about to determine where you land within a salary range:
1) The company profile – Bigger, established, well funded, and/or profitable companies usually have more money to throw around in terms of salaries and bonuses. Young startups tend to be cash strapped, especially before getting their first investment or becoming profitable.
2) The city where you’re applying – Berlin tends to pay less than what you’d make in Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg due to a lower cost of living. So be sure to make your research location specific.
3) Your personal profile – Accomplishments, education, training, experience, all factor into where you land on the scale.
As you’re researching salary ranges, take all of the above things into account. What’s more, try to realistically assess where you land on the scale. Talk with others to verify if your proposed range is solid, perhaps a mentor, or other colleagues you’ve worked with in the past.
You can even post in local Facebook groups, likeBerlin Boss Babes, as there are many recruiters, hiring managers, and coaches in the group who’d be only too happy to help. (Note, this specific group is for women only.)
In an effort to combat pay disparity between genders, Germany actually passed a law where you can request your company to disclose anonymized salary information for others in a similar position.
Tips When Providing Salary Ranges to German Employers
1) Provide a range and not a specific figure – Don’t provide a specific amount like €50,000. Always go with a range like €45,000 – €55,000.
2) Be strategic about the range you provide – Companies often don’t play fairly and when you provide a salary range, they could lowball you. Building on the above salary range example, they may only offer you €45,000 if you provide a range of €45,000 – €55,000. So keep the low end of your quoted range to be something you’re comfortable with, your middle range what you really want to make, and the high end, more aspirational. This will give you room for negotiation when talking offers.
3) Don’t tell them how much you make now – If a company asks you what you’re making in your current role, you’re not obligated to share it with them. Instead, keep the conversation focused on the range itself and what you’re looking to make. When negotiating, be prepared to justify your desired salary based on data. You should be very familiar with market rates for the position in general, what comparable companies are paying, and what others with a similar profile as you are making on average.
4) Adjust your expectations – Even if you made more money for that role in a previous job, which is really common for people moving to Germany from abroad, always provide a range that fits local market rates. A comparable salary to what you made in London, San Francisco, or New York salary isn’t likely to be found in Berlin for example. Although the salary may feel lower, permanent positions in Germany come with perks not always found elsewhere, like extensive healthcare coverage, six weeks of vacation, and long notice periods. Thecost of living in Berlin (although rising) is still relatively cheaper than many other major cities.
How The Berlin Life Can Help You
1) If you like this post, check out some of our free guides aboutworking in Berlin:
- Companies In Berlin Hiring Right Now – Are you looking for a job in Berlin? Then check out this ever growing list of companies in Berlin who are hiring right now.
- The Ultimate Guide To German Job Interviews – This comprehensive guide outlines how to prepare for German job interviews, what to do during the interviews, & what to do afterward.
- What Are The Most Highly Demanded Jobs In Germany? – If you want to move to Berlin (or anywhere else in the country), see these highly demanded jobs in Germany & how to make your move a reality.
2) Get support from ourgrowing community on Facebook– connect with other job seekers, be invited to career workshops, ask questions, be alerted to new job opportunities, and more.
3) Start building your professional network in Berlin on LinkedIn, by adding yourself toour connection list.
4) While most of our content is free, we feature expert eBooks to help you develop in your career. Browse for items like our recent,Step-By-Step Guide To Crafting A Cover Letter To Help You Get Noticed By German Employers.
5) If you want career coaching to discuss your CV or cover letter and how we can make it better and get German employers call you for interviews,book a sessionwith me – Cheryl, founder ofThe Berlin Life.
6) Create a professional looking CV quickly and easily with resume.io.
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Cheryl Howard
A Canadian who’s been living in Berlin for 10 years, Cheryl’s moved here not once, but twice. During her time in Berlin, she’s had five different visas and worked as both a freelancer and permanent employee for a number of Berlin companies. She even managed to find a new job during the pandemic. That said, Cheryl knows what it takes to move to Berlin and find work.
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FAQs
How much salary is good for Berlin? ›
60.000 euros a year in Germany is considered a good gross salary as it is well above the average salary of 47.700 euros a year for the whole country. Most Germans who earn 60.000 euros or more are very happy with their salary.
Are salaries good in Germany? ›Yes! Choosing to work in Germany as an English-speaking expat is a great decision as Germany pays a rather high net average salary compared to the cost of living. The net salary is your salary after tax and any social contributions and it's the best indicator of how much you're really earning.
Do people negotiate salaries in Germany? ›Salary negotiations in Germany
The issue of compensation can come up during a job interview already, but salary negotiations commonly begin when an employer extends a job offer with an attached salary proposal. The applicant can either accept that offer or try and make demands for a higher compensation.
Getting by in Berlin with €850, living comfortably with €1748. All in all, you can live comfortably in Berlin as an international student with cost of living of €850 per month.
What salary is needed to live comfortably in Germany? ›On average, to cover your living expenses in Germany you will need around 934 euros per month (around $906 US dollars) or 11,208 euros per year (around $10,876 US dollars). The prices for food, accommodation, bills, clothes and entertainment are basically in line with the EU average.
Is 70k a good salary in Berlin? ›Short answer: Yes! Long answer: With 61K gross, you would get around 3500 euros per month after taxes and other deductions. For your kids, you'll get 190 euros per month per kid from govt. (day care), it's almost free (23 euros per month for lunch).
Who gets high salary in Germany? ›The highest-paid professions in Germany belong to the medical, engineering, and financial sectors. The top-paying jobs require a degree related to your domain because unskilled jobs do not fetch a good salary. Surprisingly, research has found that Germany's average highest-paying job rate is at least €55,475 per annum.
What salary is considered middle class in Germany? ›Reading note for Panel B: A single person in Germany with an annual disposable income between USD 23 000 and USD 30 000 is considered to be part of the lower middle-income group; a person with a disposable income between USD 46 000 and USD 61 000 is part of the upper middle-income group.
How do you answer salary expectations in German? ›Therefore, in the cover letter, include a sentence such as: “My salary expectations are 59,000 euros (gross annual salary). An alternative could be: “I currently receive a gross annual salary of around 50,000 euros and am seeking a 10 percent increase.
Do salaries increase every year in Germany? ›There is no such thing as an automatic salary raise in Germany. You need to agree it with your employer. Every salary negotiating book says that Inflation has nothing to do with it, it should be a question of how much more valuable the work your friend is doing has become for the company.
Do Germans talk about salary? ›
As in other European countries, asking people about their income is a no-no in Germany (unless they are asking you for a significant loan) and you'll be told to mind your own business.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Berlin? ›Most Expensive and Cheapest Neighborhoods
In Berlin, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg has the most expensive properties to rent, while Marzahn-Hellersdorf has the cheapest.
Cost of living in Berlin
Despite being the capital, Berlin is one of Germany's cheapest cities. Rental prices vary massively, but as a rule of thumb, the west remains much more expensive than the east. You can rent a one-bed flat in Berlin for €00 upwards.
Charlottenburg The Charlottenburg district is the wealthiest and most commercialized in western Berlin. Along the famous Ku'Damm, which runs through it, you find the best concentration of hotels, restaurants, theaters, cafes, nightclubs, shops, and department stores.
Is 2500 Euros good salary in Germany? ›What Is a Good Salary in Germany in 2022? In Germany, a monthly net income between 2,500 EUR and 3,500 EUR is considered to be a good salary. You can afford a decent life in a large German city with that income, including renting a 2 bedroom apartment, regularly eating out, and weekends away.
What salary is considered upper class in Germany? ›In 2018, anyone with a net monthly income of 4.560 euros or more was part of the top 5 percent. To reach the top 1 percent of earners, you would need a monthly take-home salary of 7.190 euros.
Is 50 000 euros a good salary in Germany? ›This one may sound obvious, but if you're single (or married without kids) then you can have a good life on a lot less money than what would be considered sufficient if you have the extra expenses associated with having a family. €50,000 is plenty for a single professional.
Is 50k a good salary in Berlin? ›Perfectly fine for a single in Berlin ;) The salary is rather good for up to mid level given an "average workload". Seniors can earn more, but that also strongly depends on specifics. Btw.
Is 70 000 euros a good salary in Berlin? ›Short answer: Yes! Long answer: With 61K gross, you would get around 3500 euros per month after taxes and other deductions. For your kids, you'll get 190 euros per month per kid from govt. (day care), it's almost free (23 euros per month for lunch).
Is 60k enough in Berlin? ›In Germany, the salary of 60,000 EUR is slightly higher than the national average, and about 18% of the population has this or higher income. With a gross annual salary of 60,000 EUR, as a single, you will get about 5,000 EUR monthly or 2,969 EUR after tax. It's a good income for a single person.
What is a good salary in Germany 2022? ›
So, the median gross salary in Germany in H1 2022 was 44,074 euros as opposed to the above mentioned average of 51,009 euros. The minimum wage in Germany is currently just above 1,800 euros a month (10.45 euros an hour as of July 1st, 2022) which is ca 21,700 euros a year.
What salary is considered middle class in Germany? ›Reading note for Panel B: A single person in Germany with an annual disposable income between USD 23 000 and USD 30 000 is considered to be part of the lower middle-income group; a person with a disposable income between USD 46 000 and USD 61 000 is part of the upper middle-income group.
Is 2500 Euros good salary in Germany? ›2500 Euro Net for a single person is a pretty good income in Germany. You will be a solid middle class citizen.
Is 120K a good salary in Germany? ›Breaking it down a little, supposing you are alone, single, no kid and around 30 years young: for 120K a year in Berlin in 2019 with a tax class 1 and with no contribution to the church, you should have around 5.693,59 € per month on that salary (health insurance and taxes are already paid).
Is 140K a good salary in Germany? ›EUR 140K per annum is an insanely high salary in Germany, perhaps aside from upper management in corporations, or maybe some specialist doctors/lawyers/etc.
Is 50000 Euro a good salary in Germany? ›This one may sound obvious, but if you're single (or married without kids) then you can have a good life on a lot less money than what would be considered sufficient if you have the extra expenses associated with having a family. €50,000 is plenty for a single professional.
What is the minimum salary to get blue card in Germany? ›You have an employment contract or a binding job offer. You have a minimum annual gross salary of 56,400 Euros.
Is Berlin expensive to live in? ›According to the survey, living in Berlin is cheaper than in other major German cities such as Frankfurt (54th) and Munich (52nd), but more expensive than some European cities such as Madrid and even Stockholm.
What is the highest paying job in Germany? ›- Pilots. ...
- College professors. ...
- Researchers in Biotechnology and Neuroscience. ...
- Surgeons and doctors. ...
- Judges. ...
- Bank managers. ...
- Director of Finance. ...
- Tourism and hospitality professionals.
The median income in Germany is 41,125€ per year. The median income in Berlin is 41,800€ per year1.
What salary is considered upper class in Germany? ›
In 2018, anyone with a net monthly income of 4.560 euros or more was part of the top 5 percent. To reach the top 1 percent of earners, you would need a monthly take-home salary of 7.190 euros.
Is Berlin a good place to live? ›Berlin is definitely one of the best places to live in Germany. Living in Berlin is a great option for expats. The city is rich in culture, history, amazing nightlife, great food, great art, and so much more. It's quite affordable for a major city, the expat community is large, and the opportunities are endless.
Is 70k a good salary in Munich? ›Long story short. Yes it's a good salary. It's more than enough to make bigger purchases, enjoy travelling for vacation, have some savings, and have a good quality of life. TL;DR: You will make roughly 3500€ net monthly.