The starting salary for graduates in Germany in 2026 depends mainly on whether you are employed under a collective agreement, appointed as a civil servant (Beamtin or Beamter) or negotiate individually. For teachers and trainee lawyers, verified figures exist. For lawyers after the second state exam and for engineers, there is no official starting figure that applies to everyone.
Short answer: For employed teachers, the TV-L pay table lists EUR 4,759.37 gross per month for pay grade 13, step 1 (status: 1 April 2026, valid until 31 December 2026). Trainee lawyers in North Rhine-Westphalia receive EUR 1,585.17 per month from 1 April 2026. For engineers and fully qualified lawyers, no comparable figure exists.
Key points at a glance
- Pay grade 13 of the TV-L is one example of a collective classification in the public sector. Whether it applies to you is stated in your employment contract.
- Teachers who are civil servants are not paid according to the TV-L table but under their state civil service pay law.
- During legal traineeship in North Rhine-Westphalia you receive a basic allowance of EUR 1,585.17 (status 1 April 2026). Other states set their own rates, which you must check with the competent higher regional court.
- For fully qualified lawyers and engineers, there is no official starting figure. Your employment contract, collective agreement or company rules apply.
- Gross is not net. Social security contributions of around 21 percent reduce every figure considerably.
What does a teacher earn at the start?
After university and teacher training, teachers can work as employees or as civil servants. Pay for employees follows the collective agreement for the public sector of the federal states (TV-L). The table shows the monthly figures for pay grade 13, steps 1 to 6, valid from 1 April to 31 December 2026. All amounts are gross for full-time work.
| Step | Monthly gross, full-time (pay grade 13) |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | EUR 4,759.37 |
| Step 2 | EUR 5,106.09 |
| Step 3 | EUR 5,366.89 |
| Step 4 | EUR 5,873.56 |
| Step 5 | EUR 6,573.97 |
| Step 6 | EUR 6,764.69 |
Source: TV-L pay table, reproduced on getbaito.com, status 1 April 2026. Please check the original text of the collective agreement or the table of the Tarifgemeinschaft der Länder before any negotiation. Which step you are placed in depends on prior experience and recognition.
Civil servants follow a different system. Their pay results from the state civil service pay law, and they do not pay contributions to statutory social insurance in the usual form. Instead they receive state health aid (Beihilfe). A comparison between collective and civil service pay therefore only makes sense with the figures of the relevant state.
What does a lawyer earn at the start?
After the first state exam, lawyers in Germany complete a legal traineeship (Rechtsreferendariat). During this time they receive an allowance that each state sets itself. For North Rhine-Westphalia, the basic amount is EUR 1,585.17 per month, valid from 1 April 2026 until 28 February 2027 (state regulation on the allowance). This guide does not list figures for other states, because the rates are not sufficiently verified. The competent higher regional court provides information.
After the second state exam, the starting salary depends on the employer, such as a law firm, a company, an authority or an association. There is no official figure for fully qualified lawyers. Salary information in job advertisements cannot be verified, so use collective agreements where the employer is bound by one.
What does an engineer earn at the start?
For engineers, there is no reliable starting figure that applies to all disciplines and employers. In the public sector, classification follows the collective agreement. In industry, company agreements or sector agreements apply. Whether a bachelor or master degree counts for classification is also set out in the agreement or in the employment contract.
To classify an offer, first check whether the employer is bound by a collective agreement. If so, compare the offer with the agreement. You can also request information on the pay of comparable employees under section 10 EntgTranspG. The request must be made in text form.
How much remains as net pay?
Assumption: teacher under the TV-L, pay grade 13, step 1, full-time, with a child (no childless surcharge for long-term care insurance), average additional health insurance rate of 2.9 percent. The social security contributions then come to about 21.15 percent of gross pay.
| Deduction | Amount per month | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance (8.75 percent) | EUR 416.44 | GKV-Spitzenverband, status 1 January 2026 |
| Long-term care insurance (1.8 percent) | EUR 85.67 | BMG, valid since 1 January 2025 |
| Pension insurance (9.3 percent) | EUR 442.62 | Contribution rate notice 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (1.3 percent) | EUR 61.87 | Section 341 (2) SGB III, status 2026 |
| Social security contributions in total | EUR 1,006.61 | about 21.15 percent |
| Amount before income tax | EUR 3,752.76 | income tax with the BMF calculator |
Occupational supplementary pension insurance in the public sector and income tax are not included in this calculation. Determine income tax with the BMF calculator. The method for the social security contributions is explained in our guide on calculating net salary.
Frequently asked questions
Does pay grade 13 apply to every teacher?
No. The table shows what pay grade 13 pays under the TV-L. Your employment contract and the collective law of your state determine whether you are placed in this grade. Ask for the pay grade and step assignment when you are hired.
How much trainee allowance do I get during legal traineeship?
It depends on your state and your situation. In North Rhine-Westphalia the basic amount is EUR 1,585.17 per month, plus a possible family supplement. In other states, check the rates with the competent higher regional court or the state regulation.
Is civil service financially worth it?
This question cannot be answered in general terms. Civil servants do not pay statutory social insurance contributions in the usual form, but they receive Beihilfe and a different pension scheme. A fair comparison requires the pay table of your state and your personal situation.
Does the minimum wage apply to graduates?
The statutory minimum wage is a floor for employment relationships. In 2026 it is EUR 13.90 gross per hour (status 1 January 2026, minimum wage ordinance). For graduates in full-time jobs it is usually not the relevant figure, because collective or company pay is higher.
What to do next
- Find out whether your employer is bound by a collective agreement and which one applies.
- Compare your pay grade and step with the table for your agreement.
- Calculate the offer with the BMF calculator to see the net figure before you accept.
- Request information on the pay of comparable employees if anything remains unclear.
Related guides
- Law student insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Teacher training insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Calculate net salary 2026
Sources: TV-L pay table 2026, reproduced (in German); State regulation on trainee allowance, North Rhine-Westphalia, status 1 April 2026 (in German); Section 10 EntgTranspG (in German); Section 6 SGB V (in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
