W-Besoldung (W pay grades) is the salary system for professors at German universities. The groups W1, W2 and W3 say a lot about the position but little about actual income, because allowances and negotiations come on top. This guide explains the system, shows where the figures are published and helps you put a job offer into context.
Short answer: The W pay scale (Besoldungsordnung W) divides professorships into the groups W1, W2 and W3. W1 is generally used for junior professorships, W2 and W3 for professorships. The federal government and each German state set the amounts in their own laws. A draft federal table published by the dbb trade union federation (status May 2026) shows W1 as a single amount and W2 and W3 with several steps. The official law is always decisive.
Key takeaways
- W1, W2 and W3 are pay grades in the W pay scale. W1 is generally used for junior professorships, W2 and W3 for professorships.
- The basic salary is only one part of the income. Performance-related pay and allowances can be agreed in negotiations.
- The federal government and the German states have their own pay laws. The same grade therefore does not mean the same amount everywhere.
- Current amounts are set in the official law or the official gazette. Drafts and tables from associations only serve as guidance.
- Before accepting any offer, check the basic salary, allowances, equipment and fixed-term conditions in writing.
What do W1, W2 and W3 mean?
The W pay scale is the salary system for professorships. The groups differ mainly by position and responsibility. W1 is generally used for junior professorships, which combine independent teaching and research with a fixed-term post. W2 and W3 apply to professorships that are usually set up as permanent posts. Which grade applies in your case is stated in the call and in the offer of the university.
| Grade | Typical position | Pay form in the draft of the dbb (May 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| W1 | Junior professorship | Single amount without steps |
| W2 | Professorship | Several steps |
| W3 | Professorship | Several steps |
The table is based on a draft of the federal pay table. A draft is not a law, and the information only shows the structure. The amounts are deliberately not given here, because they change with every pay adjustment and can differ between the federation and the states.
Where are the current basic salaries published?
The basic salaries are set in the Federal Besoldungsgesetz (Federal Pay Act) together with the federal pay table for the W grades. You can read the text of the federal law on gesetze-im-internet.de. For a German state you need the state pay law or the official pay table of that state, because the states set their own pay.
The draft of the federal pay table published by the dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion envisages validity from 1 May 2026 and is subject to publication in the official gazette. Do not quote a figure from a draft as final. Check it against the official gazette.
What belongs to income besides the basic salary?
The basic salary is the fixed element, but not the whole income. For professorships, performance-related pay can be agreed or granted, for example in appointment or retention negotiations. Allowances for functions, research or teaching can be added, depending on state law. Whether and how much is paid is stated in the offer of the university, not in the table.
| Component | What it is | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Basic salary | Set by the pay grade | Whether the grade is clearly named in the offer |
| Performance-related pay | Additional amounts granted or agreed by the university | Conditions, duration and whether they are in the contract |
| Equipment | Staff, funds and rooms | Put everything in writing |
| Fixed term | Duration of the employment relationship | Extension rules and the perspective afterwards |
How do you review an appointment offer?
An offer can only be classified sensibly if you break it into its parts. The following steps help, but they do not replace a legal review.
- Note the pay grade from the call and from the offer and check that both match.
- Look up the state pay law in its currently applicable version.
- Ask about all allowances, durations and conditions, and have them recorded in the offer.
- Compare the whole package of salary, equipment, fixed term and prospects, not just the figure.
- Have important points checked before you sign, by the staff council or a legal adviser.
Checklist for the appointment talks
- Which pay grade applies, and which step is set at the start?
- Which performance-related pay is planned, and what conditions apply to it?
- How are equipment, staff and rooms arranged?
- How long does the post run, and what is the perspective afterwards?
- What teaching load is planned, and how is family-friendliness arranged?
Common questions
Is W1 always a junior professorship?
Generally yes. What counts, however, is the statement in the call and in the offer of the university. If something else is stated there, the specific commitment applies, not this general classification.
Can I negotiate my salary in an appointment?
Yes, appointment negotiations exist for exactly that. The university may offer performance-related pay or equipment, and the framework follows from state law. Prepare your requests with reasons and figures.
Is the system the same in every German state?
No. The federation and the states have their own pay laws. The same grades therefore do not mean the same amounts everywhere. Check the law of the state in which the university is located.
How does W pay relate to habilitation?
Habilitation is a qualification that can lead to an appointment. The pay grade is separate from it and depends on the post. An overview of the routes is in our guide Habilitation oder Juniorprofessur: Karrierewege im Vergleich (in German).
What changes with a fixed term?
A fixed-term post has its own rules, for example on extensions and on what comes next. If the post serves academic qualification, the WissZeitVG applies. Our guide on the time limits explains them: WissZeitVG 2026: Befristung und Höchstdauer für Doktoranden (in German).
What to do next
- Read the call and note the pay grade, the fixed term and any tenure track option.
- Look up the pay law of your state and check the current table in the official gazette.
- Put all questions about allowances and equipment to the university in writing.
- Compare offers over the whole term, not just the first salary.
- Have key points checked before you sign.
Related guides
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Habilitation or Junior Professorship: Career Paths Compared
- PhD Salary Germany 2026: Pay Grade E13, Steps and Part-Time
- Salary After a PhD in Germany: Industry or Academia
- WissZeitVG 2026: Fixed-Term Contracts for Doctoral Candidates
Sources: Federal Besoldungsgesetz with the W pay scale, legal text (retrieved October 2026), gesetze-im-internet.de; dbb beamtenbund und tarifunion, federal pay table (draft, status May 2026, valid from 1 May 2026 subject to publication), PDF.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
