Starting work as an economist in the German public sector means entering a field where pay, health insurance and cover follow fixed rules. That makes planning easier, but it requires a close look: the pay grade your employer assigns to you decides your salary, not the title on your certificate. This guide sets out the 2026 figures and shows how to classify them.
Short answer: Pay in the German public sector follows the collective agreement and your pay grade. Under the TV-L, pay grade 13 at step 1 is 4,759.37 euros gross per month from 1 April 2026, valid until 28 February 2027. Employees stay below the compulsory insurance threshold and remain in statutory health insurance. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Your pay grade sets your table salary. What counts is the job you do, not only your degree.
- Under the TV-L, table pay for pay grade 13 at step 1 is 4,759.37 euros gross per month from 1 April 2026.
- Below the compulsory insurance threshold of 6,450 euros per month (2026), employees are in statutory health insurance.
- Civil servants do not have statutory health insurance. They receive Beihilfe (state health aid) and need private supplementary cover.
- Disability insurance is worth checking early, because all health questions must be answered completely.
Which pay grade could apply to you?
In the public sector, the pay grade determines your salary, and it follows the activity requirements of the post. Compare the job advertisement with the requirements of the collective agreement and ask for your classification in writing. The table below shows table pay for pay grade 13 under the TV-L, as of 1 April 2026.
| Pay grade | Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E 13 (monthly gross) | 4,759.37 € | 5,106.09 € | 5,366.89 € | 5,873.56 € | 6,573.97 € | 6,764.69 € |
Source of the figures: TV-L pay table, valid 1 April 2026 to 28 February 2027. The table shows table pay only. Allowances, special payments and supplementary pension are not included.
For comparison, pay grade 9b at step 1 is 3,620.10 euros. The gap to pay grade 13 is therefore 1,139.27 euros per month. Which grade applies to your post is decided only by the classification.
| Comparison, step 1 | Monthly gross | Difference to E 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Pay grade 9b | 3,620.10 € | -1,139.27 € |
| Pay grade 13 | 4,759.37 € | 0.00 € |
If you are choosing between two offers, do not compare table pay alone. Step progression, supplementary pension, special payments and annual leave change the overall picture considerably. Ask for a summary of total pay before you decide.
What does health insurance look like?
As an employee below the compulsory insurance threshold of 6,450 euros per month, you are compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance. Section 5 SGB V sets out this rule, and section 6 SGB V sets the threshold. Example (assumption): pay grade 13 at step 1, no children, statutory insurance, average additional contribution of 2.9 percent. Health, long-term care and pension contributions then come to about 973.28 euros per month (8.75 percent health insurance, 2.4 percent long-term care including the childless surcharge, 9.3 percent pension). Unemployment insurance is not included.
In the public sector, supplementary pension provision usually applies on top of this, and it is not included in the example. Civil servants follow different rules: Beihilfe and private health insurance, as explained in our guide on probationary civil service.
Which cover fits the start of your career?
Disability insurance pays under section 172 VVG if the occupational disability begins after the policy starts. If you become a civil servant, the question of inability to serve also arises. Our guide on disability insurance in teacher training (in German) explains the logic, which is similar for many public-sector roles. Answer health questions completely under section 19 VVG.
Frequently asked questions
Is pay grade 13 realistic at the start?
That depends on your degree, duties and job description. Our guide on starting in the public sector: E 13 or A 13? explains the difference. Your employer must tell you the classification in writing before you sign.
Do I move up a step automatically?
The collective agreement sets the step periods. Whether and when you move up depends on those periods and the conditions in the agreement. Check the pay table and ask HR for your progression date.
Does a part-time post change the figures?
Table pay is paid pro rata in part-time posts, and the social contributions follow the pay you actually receive. Calculate with the contract amount and not the full-time table.
Is there an annual special payment?
Many public-sector collective agreements provide for an annual special payment. Whether it applies to you, and in what amount, is set out in the agreement that applies and in your employment contract. Ask about it explicitly before you accept.
What to do now
- Compare the job advertisement with the requirements of the collective agreement and ask for your classification.
- Get your table pay for your step confirmed in writing.
- Confirm with your health insurer, or with the Beihilfe office after an appointment as a civil servant, which cover applies.
- Review your disability cover before pre-existing conditions make an application harder.
Related guides
- Starting in the public sector: E 13 or A 13?
- Starting salaries 2026 by field of study
- Tax class at career start
- Compulsory insurance threshold 2027
Sources: TV-L pay table, valid from 1 April 2026 (as of October 2026) · Section 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance (as of October 2026) · Section 6 SGB V, exemption from compulsory insurance (as of October 2026) · GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 reference values (as of January 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
