So, you're thinking about moving to Germany to live and work. One of the first things you're probably wondering is how much you'll earn and what you'll have left after all the deductions. In this article, we explain how to calculate your net salary. Also, we show how to effectively negotiate your salary, so that you have more left over at the end of the month. As of 2024, the average gross monthly salary for full-time employees is approximately €4,100, which translates to around €49,200 annually. Salaries in Germany significantly differ based on the location. The city of Munich for instance offers an average annual salary of €58,000, while Berlin's average is €50,000. Higher-paying professions include medical specialists, software engineers, and data scientists, with salaries ranging from €60,000 to €100,000 per year. In Germany, salaries can be negotiated individually with the company or collectively for the entire sector. There are many collective wage agreements that set out how much people in different industries and professions should be paid. These agreements are negotiated between trade unions and employers' associations, providing greater transparency on pay. If your employer is bound by a collective agreement, you'll know exactly what your minimum earnings will be. Find your dream job in Germany Make it happen with the new 12-month job search visa. There are legal minimum wage requirements, which ensure that every worker receives at least a certain hourly wage. The minimum is updated regularly and is currently € 12,41 (as of 2024). The next increase will be a further 41 cents on January 1, 2025 to € 12,82. In Germany, your salary can vary quite a bit depending on the industry you work in. Here's a quick look at the average salary prospects by field for graduates. Many people are curious about the average salaries at big names like Google and Amazon. Here's what the average salary is at Google in Germany: Typical salaries at Amazon in Germany are as follows: Just knowing your “Bruttolohn” (= gross salary) isn't enough. You also need to know your “Nettolohn” ( = how much actually ends up in your account). Your net salary is the amount you actually receive after taxes and social security contributions have been taken out. These include: The average percentage of tax withheld from German salaries is typically between 30% and 45%. The exact percentage can vary significantly depending on individual factors such as gross income, tax class, marital status, number of dependents, and specific deductions or allowances to which the individual may be entitled. You can find more detailed information on this topic in our article about . If you're now wondering how to calculate the net salary in Germany, we've got some good news for you. You don't need to go back to the old-fashioned way of doing things with pen and paper. There are some great online tools that can help you. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to calculate your net salary, there are plenty of online calculators that can help. These calculators take into account all relevant deductions and taxes, so you can get a good idea of how much you will actually receive each month. Some recommended tools include: Just enter your gross salary and select your tax class and other relevant info if necessary. The tool does the rest and calculates your take-home-pay. Free Webinar Everything You Need to Know June 20th, 2024 Get tips from our experts to simplify your journey to Germany. Have your questions answered in our live Q&A. We’re here to help! Salary negotiations can be nerve-wracking for most people, and it gets even worse if you're new to a country. However, the more you prepare for the salary negotiation, the more confident you'll be, and the better your chances of getting the salary you want. Here’s what you can do to prepare for the upcoming salary negotiation. Do's and Don'ts for salary negotiations Research industry salary standards Engage in discussions about your previous salary Prepare thoroughly and highlight your skills and achievements Exaggerate or make false statements Be punctual and well-dressed Be too humble – don't undersell yourself Practice confident communication and stay polite and professional Neglect benefits and perks Listen actively and ask questions Refuse to compromise Be open to negotiation Burn bridges if negotiations failAverage salary in Germany
Minimum wage in Germany
Average wage in Germany at Amazon & Google
Brutto & Netto: Calculate net income in Germany
Netto/Brutto calculator for Germany
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How to negotiate a good salary in GermanyDo's Dont's 6 tips for successful salary negotiations in Germany
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