Trainee Teacher Pay: Primary or Secondary School

Trainee teacher pay in Germany depends on the school type you train for. Allowances follow pay grades in each state’s salary table, and primary and secondary training do not always sit on the same line. This guide sets out the figures that could be verified and what to clarify before you start.

Key points

• Allowances depend on the entry grade, A 12 or A 13. State salary law determines which line applies to your school type.
• According to the dbb table, A 13 ranges from about 1,707 to 1,869 euros gross, and A 12 from about 1,676 to 1,826 euros.
• In North Rhine-Westphalia, allowances rise from 1 August 2026, because primary and lower secondary training moves to A 13.
• It was not checked for every state whether primary school trainees are still classified under A 12.
• Ask for your pay grade at appointment, not only for the amount.

Which pay grade applies to primary and secondary school?

The pay grade is the key. A 12 and A 13 are separate lines in the salary table with different amounts. The link between a pay grade and a school type is set by state law, not by one national rule. Some states have adjusted classifications in recent years, others have not. A comparison by school type alone is therefore not enough.

For planning, start with your appointment letter. It states the pay grade used for your pay. If the amount does not match the table, clarify it with the responsible office straight away.

Pay by state: A 12 and A 13 side by side

The table shows trainee allowances for both entry grades. The figures come from the dbb salary table for 2026, subject to publication in the official gazette. For Saarland the figures come from the state salary act in the official gazette. States without a verified figure for both lines are not listed:

The differences are calculated from the table values. They show the gap between the two lines, not your extra income, because family supplement and other payments can be added. Brandenburg, Hamburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony and Thuringia are left out, since no verified figure for both lines is available there.

North Rhine-Westphalia: increase from 1 August 2026

The state salary office of North Rhine-Westphalia announces an increase in the basic trainee amount from 1 August 2026. The background is that primary and lower secondary training will be paid under A 13. The announcement does not give the exact amounts, so table values for primary school may differ from the A 12 line above from August 2026. The notice is the announcement of the state office (in German).

If you start a primary school training in North Rhine-Westphalia, check the reference date. The German guide to the Referendariat in NRW describes the course of the training in that state.

Example: two years of training

Assumption: you start training in a state with table values like those above, have no children, and the training lasts 24 months. The difference between A 13 and A 12 is about 33 euros per month according to the table.

1. Multiply the difference by 24 months: 33 euros times 24 gives roughly 800 euros over the training.
2. Remember that the length of training can vary by state and school type, so the sum is only a guide.
3. Check whether your classification changes during the training, for example through an increase as in North Rhine-Westphalia.
4. Compare the sum with other factors such as family supplement and health insurance.

The example shows that the gap between the lines is moderate. What matters more is which pay grade you are given in your case, and how health aid and health insurance affect your total.

Health insurance for trainee teachers

As a civil servant on probation with entitlement to health aid, you are generally exempt from compulsory insurance under § 6 para. 1 no. 2 SGB V (in German). Health aid usually covers 50 percent of eligible costs if you have no children. The rest is covered by private insurance or paid yourself. The basics are summarised in the German guide Krankenversicherung für Referendare.

The choice between statutory and private cover does not depend on pay alone. Pre-existing conditions, family plans and benefits for dental and vision care also count. For a personal assessment, Academycon offers a consultation via How we work.

Frequently asked questions

Do primary school trainees earn less than secondary school trainees?

That depends on the state and the classification. The table places A 12 and A 13 side by side, and the calculated difference is roughly 31 to 43 euros per month. Check your appointment letter to see whether A 12 applies to you.

Does my pay change after the training?

Yes. Once you are appointed to a teaching post, different rules apply. Trainee allowances end, and your pay follows the pay grade of the post. An overview of the period afterwards is in the German guide on teacher training insurance (in German).

Does the table apply to career changers?

Career changers often follow a different route into the preparatory service. Whether the table values apply to them is governed by state law. Ask at appointment which rules apply to you.

Where do I find the figures for my state?

The German overview of trainee allowances by state (in German) lists the figures for each state. The binding source remains the current salary table in your state’s official gazette, so check that the date is current before deciding.

Do I need to plan differently with children?

With children you usually receive a family supplement, and the health aid rate can be higher. The exact amount is set in state law. Base your planning on your actual family situation.

What you should do now

1. Check your appointment letter and note the pay grade, A 12 or A 13.
2. Compare the amount with the current salary table of your state and its reference date.
3. Clarify whether the classification changes during training.
4. Plan health insurance and health aid before you start.

Related reading

• Trainee Teacher Salary in Germany by State
• Teacher training insurance: from studies to traineeship
• Trainee Teachers in Statutory Health Insurance
• Anwärterbezüge nach Bundesland (in German)

Sources: State salary office NRW, adjustment of teacher pay from 1 August 2026 (in German); Saarland salary act, Official Gazette Part I No. 24 (June 2026, in German).

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