How much do you earn when you start with a degree? The answer depends on your subject, but also on sector, region, company size and contract. This guide shows which data sources exist, what they measure and how to read starting salaries by field of study.
Kurz beantwortet: We did not find official statistics on starting salaries by field of study. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes earnings by vocational qualification. In April 2025 the average for all full-time employees was 4,784 euros gross per month. Field-level figures usually come from surveys that you should read with their sample and method in mind.
Key points at a glance
- An average for a field is only a rough guide, because sector, region and company size have a strong effect.
- The official average for all full-time employees (4,784 euros gross, April 2025) is a benchmark, not a starting figure.
- Before you use any number, clarify three things: gross or net, annual or monthly, and the number of monthly salaries.
- For surveys, the sample matters. Few responses per field make ranges unreliable.
- For your decision, collective agreements, weekly hours, career prospects and living costs at the location also matter.
Which data sources exist and what they measure
There are different sources, and each answers a different question. The table helps you classify them.
| Source | What it measures | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Statistical Office, earnings survey (GENESIS-Online, table 62361-0031, German) | Earnings by vocational qualification, working hours, sector and region | Official and reliable, but not split by field of study and not focused on graduates |
| Federal Statistical Office, average of all full-time employees | Gross monthly earnings of 4,784 euros in April 2025 | Averaged across all occupations, age groups and qualifications |
| University and research institute surveys, for example DZHW (German) | Pay in the first job, often broken down by field and degree | Check sample, response rate and survey year |
| Salary portals and rankings | Self-reported or aggregated job advertisements | Use only as a direction, not as a verified primary source |
The earnings survey of the Federal Statistical Office is based on information from businesses for a reference month. Its tables allow analysis by vocational qualification, not by field of study. A figure for German literature or mechanical engineering therefore does not come directly from it. Anyone looking for a subject-specific salary depends on surveys and must check their method.
Why field-level figures vary so much
A field of study says little about pay if you do not know where you work. An engineer in a collectively agreed industrial company in the south often earns differently from an engineer in a small engineering office in a structurally weak region. Doctorates, extra qualifications and work experience during internships also affect the start.
That is why the range within a field is often as important as the average. A single midpoint says nothing about the lower and upper limits. When you assess a source, always ask about the spread.
Four questions to ask about every figure
| Feature | Why it matters | How to recognise it |
|---|---|---|
| Gross or net | Net pay falls well below gross depending on tax class and contributions | Stated in the text or table; otherwise unclear |
| Annual or monthly amount | An annual figure misleads if it is spread over 12 or 13 salaries | Usually named in the title of the source |
| Full-time or part-time | Part-time figures lower the average considerably | Working hours described in the methodology |
| Survey year and sample | Salaries rise, so older figures become outdated quickly | Imprint or methodology report of the source |
Worked example: from annual to monthly salary
Assumption: an offer states 45,000 euros gross per year. Spread over twelve monthly salaries, that is 3,750 euros gross per month (45,000 divided by 12). If the offer includes 13 salaries, the result is 3,462 euros per month (45,000 divided by 13). The difference is not small for your planning, so clarify the number of salaries early.
For an estimate of net pay, use the calculation in our German guide Nettogehalt 2026 als Berufseinsteiger (in German). For people without children aged 23 or older, the employee share of social insurance is 21.75 percent before income tax is deducted.
What the all-employee average shows
The Federal Statistical Office reports a gross monthly average of 4,784 euros for all full-time employees in April 2025. This figure mixes all occupations, age groups and qualifications. Graduates start below it, while experienced specialists and managers are above it. The value helps as a yardstick for offers, not as a starting salary.
Common mistakes when comparing
The first mistake is comparing gross with net. The second is treating an average from big cities as if it applied to an offer from a small town. The third is confusing figures in job advertisements with actual outcomes. An advertisement often states a range, and the real grading usually falls somewhere within it. Ask how the role is classified.
A fourth mistake concerns the age of the number. A figure from an older survey looks reliable, although pay may have risen since the survey year. Check the survey year and place it next to current offers before you draw conclusions.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official list of starting salaries by field of study?
Not in a form that is split by field, degree and career start, according to our review. Usable field-level figures usually come from surveys by universities or research institutes. Read the method, the sample and the survey year there.
How large are the differences between fields?
This cannot be said in general, and that is the problem. Within one field, salaries can differ widely depending on sector, region and employer. Compare offers with similar roles rather than with field averages.
Is changing subject worth it for the salary?
A salary comparison alone is not enough. Consider career prospects, collective agreements, weekly hours, further training and living costs at the workplace. A higher gross salary may leave less net and less in daily life than the number suggests.
Where can I find figures for my region?
Useful sources are the collective agreements of your sector, job advertisements that state a salary, and the graduate surveys of your university. Check the sample and the year there too before you draw a conclusion.
What to do now
- Decide which figures you need: gross or net, monthly amount and number of salaries.
- Check any source for survey year, sample and method before you use a number.
- Convert an offer into a monthly gross figure and a net estimate, as described in our German net salary guide.
- Compare offers with similar roles in the same region rather than with general field averages.
Related guides
- Minimum Contribution Base 2026: Amount and Example
- Steuerklasse beim Berufseinstieg
- Erste Gehaltsabrechnung verstehen
- Berufseinstieg nach dem Studium (in German)
Sources: Federal Statistical Office, earnings by occupations and sectors, status 2026 (German); DZHW, press release on graduate surveys, June 2016 (German, older; cited for method).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
