PhD Salary Germany 2026: Pay Grade E13, Steps and Part-Time

A PhD salary in Germany is often set by the collective agreement for the federal states (TV-L, Tarifvertrag der Länder), and many doctoral positions are graded in pay grade 13 (Entgeltgruppe 13). This guide shows the 2026 table values, how the steps work and what changes with a part-time post.

The most important points

• The pay grade (Entgeltgruppe) is stated in the job advertisement and in your employment contract. This is the most reliable indication of your pay.
• Step 1 of E13 is EUR 4,759.37 gross and step 6 is EUR 6,764.69 gross (full-time, valid from 1 April 2026).
• The step you start in depends on your recognised experience. You move up the steps over time.
• For part-time posts, the employer usually pays the share of your working hours.
• The family supplement (Familienzuschlag) paid to civil servants does not apply to employees under the TV-L.
• According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), about 216,200 people were doing a doctorate in Germany in 2025 (as of August 2026).

What is the pay in pay grade E13?

The table shows the gross pay for pay grade E13 for a full-time post. It is based on the TV-L pay table, which applies from 1 April 2026 to 28 February 2027. The table reflects an increase of 2.8 percent, but at least EUR 100 (source: TV-L pay table 2026, page last updated 27 August 2026).

These figures are gross amounts. Allowances and deductions are added or subtracted. How much reaches your bank account only becomes clear with a net calculation, described further below.

How do the steps progress?

Under the TV-L, pay rises with the steps. The collective agreement determines which periods of employment count towards advancement. The HR office (Personalstelle) of your university can give you a binding answer on your step plan. Ask there whether relevant work experience before the doctorate was taken into account.

What does part-time mean for a PhD salary?

Many doctoral posts are advertised at 50, 65 or 75 percent of full working time. Pay is then calculated pro rata. The table below shows the gross amounts. Assumption: the table pay scales in proportion to the share of the post, with no special rule applying.

All values are gross per month. Your contract shows whether your post is paid in exactly this way. To compare a doctoral post with a scholarship, see the German guide Promotionsstelle oder Stipendium: Netto-Vergleich mit Rechenbeispiel (in German).

Family supplement and collective allowances

The family supplement is a benefit for civil servants (Beamtinnen und Beamte). It does not apply to employees under the TV-L. Whether another collective allowance applies to you is set out in your employment contract or can be asked for at the HR office. The pay table itself does not list any such amounts.

Worked example: from gross to net

Assumption: you hold a 65 percent post in pay grade E13, step 1. Your gross pay is then EUR 3,093.59 per month (EUR 4,759.37 times 0.65). Your net pay depends on your tax class, allowances and social insurance contributions. The most reliable way to calculate income tax is the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance (German).

For health, long-term care and pension insurance you usually pay half of the contributions yourself. The general health insurance rate in 2026 is 14.6 percent in total, plus the insurer-specific additional contribution (average 2.9 percent). The pension insurance rate is 18.6 percent in total. These figures come from the GKV fact sheet dated 1 January 2026 (German). Childless employees pay a surcharge in long-term care insurance.

Frequently asked questions

Is every PhD post in pay grade E13?

No. Grading depends on the duties and the pay classification rules (Entgeltordnung) of the applicable collective agreement. A job advertisement that names E13 is a strong indication, but the binding classification is in your contract. If you are unsure, ask for the job evaluation.

Does the TV-L apply at every university?

Not necessarily. The TV-L covers many employees of the federal states, but some states have their own collective agreements for their universities. Your employment contract shows which agreement applies to you. The table in this guide refers to the TV-L.

Are PhD posts fixed-term?

Often, yes. Academic posts at universities and research institutions are subject to special fixed-term rules in the Academic Fixed-Term Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz). The contract states how long your post runs. For an overview of routes to a doctorate, see PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements.

How much social insurance do I pay?

As an employee you are usually subject to social insurance. Whether an exemption or another rule applies depends on your situation. The contribution rates for 2026 are listed in the GKV fact sheet. This guide cannot replace an individual calculation.

Has the salary changed for 2026?

Yes. The table applies from 1 April 2026 and reflects an increase of 2.8 percent, but at least EUR 100. The increase applies to all employees from that date, regardless of when the contract was signed.

What happens after 28 February 2027?

This table then expires. The next pay table becomes applicable once it is agreed and published. Before any contract extension, check which values will apply.

What to check in a job advertisement

Before you accept a doctoral post, read the advertisement carefully. The following points determine your pay and how far you can plan.

• Pay grade and share of the post: together they set the gross amount. A 65 percent post pays 65 percent of the table amount for that grade, not 65 percent of a different reference figure.
• Duration and extension option: a twelve-month post with an option to extend is planned differently from a fixed term until the doctorate is complete. Check what the contract says.
• Duties beyond the doctorate: teaching or administrative work may be part of the post. If these duties take up much of your time, the time for your own research can be smaller than the share suggests.
• Step placement: ask how relevant prior experience is credited. An earlier step affects pay over the entire term.
• Collective agreement: ask which agreement the post is paid under and get the grading confirmed in writing.

When you compare offers, do not look at the gross pay alone. The duration, the allowances and whether you have time for research and writing matter just as much. A comparison with scholarships helps you choose the right form of funding. Read the overview of scholarships for students for the basics.

Next steps

1. Note the pay grade and share of the post from the advertisement or your contract.
2. Look up the table for the period in which your contract runs and note the value for your step.
3. Calculate the gross amount using the share of the post and compare it with your contract.
4. Ask the HR office which step you start in and whether any collective allowances apply.
5. Check the net amount with the Federal Ministry of Finance calculator and clarify your health insurance cover.

Related guides

• PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
• Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany
• Scholarships for students: types, providers, requirements
• Promotion in Deutschland: Wege, Dauer, Finanzierung und Doktortitel (in German)

Sources: TV-L pay table, valid 1 April 2026 to 28 February 2027 (page last updated 27 August 2026); Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder, TV-L (2026); Destatis press release on doctoral candidates 2025 (26 August 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation parameters (1 January 2026).

Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.