Your first job as a salaried teacher in Germany usually follows the collective agreement for the federal states (Tarifvertrag der Länder, TV-L). Your pay depends mainly on the federal state, the school type and your pay grade in the contract, not on your degree alone. This guide shows the 2026 salaries, the health insurance contributions and the point at which private health insurance becomes an option.
Short answer: Salaried teachers are often paid in pay grade E 13 of the TV-L. According to the pay table, step 1 is EUR 4,759.37 gross per month from 1 April 2026. As long as your annual salary stays below the insurance threshold of EUR 77,400 (2026), you remain in statutory health insurance. Last updated: October 2026.
The key points
- Salaried teachers are usually paid under the TV-L. The federal state, the school type and the subject decide the pay grade.
- Pay grade E 13 starts in step 1 at EUR 4,759.37 gross per month (valid from 1 April 2026).
- From step 5 onwards, your annual salary without special payments is above the insurance threshold of EUR 77,400 (2026).
- As an employee you are generally in statutory health insurance, and your employer pays half of the contribution.
- Employees do not have the protection civil servants have if they cannot work, so occupational disability insurance is a separate question.
Which pay grade does a salaried teacher get?
There is no single pay grade for all teachers. The classification depends on the teaching qualification, the school type and the federal state. Many teachers with a qualification for grammar schools are placed in E 13, but other school types can differ. Check your contract for the pay grade and the step, and ask how your experience is credited.
What is the pay in steps 1 to 6?
| Step | Monthly gross pay (E 13) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4,759.37 EUR |
| 2 | 5,106.09 EUR |
| 3 | 5,366.89 EUR |
| 4 | 5,873.56 EUR |
| 5 | 6,573.97 EUR |
| 6 | 6,764.69 EUR |
Source of the table: TV-L pay table valid from 1 April to 31 December 2026 (Free State of Saxony, last updated April 2026). Special annual payments under the collective agreement are not included. Steps rise after fixed periods of service; the exact periods are set out in § 16 TV-L (in German).
Relevant prior experience can justify a higher starting step when you are hired. Ask about this before you sign. The difference between the steps adds up over the years. For payslips and deductions, see Understanding your first payslip: gross, net, deductions.
How does health insurance work for a salaried teacher?
Once your employment begins, you are generally compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance (§ 5 para. 1 no. 1 SGB V, in German). Your student membership then ends. Contributions are calculated on gross pay up to the contribution assessment ceiling of EUR 5,812.50 per month (2026). The general contribution rate is 14.6 percent, plus your insurer’s additional contribution, which averages 2.9 percent in 2026. Employer and employee each pay half.
Example (assumption): step 1 at EUR 4,759.37 gross, no children and older than 23, average additional contribution of 2.9 percent. Your share of health and long-term care insurance:
- Health insurance: (14.6 + 2.9) divided by 2 equals 8.75 percent, that is EUR 416.44
- Long-term care insurance: 3.6 divided by 2 equals 1.8 percent, plus the childless surcharge of 0.6 percent, that is 2.4 percent and EUR 114.22
- Together: EUR 530.66 per month
Not included are income tax and pension and unemployment insurance. For a net estimate, use the tax calculator of the Federal Ministry of Finance (bmf-steuerrechner.de).
From when is private health insurance an option?
In 2026 the insurance threshold for employees is EUR 6,450 per month or EUR 77,400 per year. If your regular annual salary is above this threshold, you may choose private health insurance (§ 6 para. 1 no. 1 SGB V, in German). Without special payments, step 5 is the first step above the threshold: as an assumption with twelve monthly payments of EUR 6,573.97, that is EUR 78,887.64 per year. Steps 1 to 4 keep you in statutory insurance.
Private insurance can set different priorities for benefits and reimbursement, but its contributions can rise with age, and the choice depends on the tariff, your health and your plans. Compare tariffs carefully before you decide. For a personal assessment, you can contact Academycon. For the basic question, read PKV or GKV for your first job (in German).
Which protection do you need as a salaried teacher?
Employees do not receive the protection civil servants have if they cannot work. If you are ill for a long period, your health insurer pays sickness benefit once your employer has paid continued pay for six weeks. If you become permanently unable to work, a pension for reduced earning capacity from the statutory pension insurance may apply (§ 43 SGB VI). Occupational disability insurance is mainly relevant if you depend on your income and have few savings. Contributions that are high compared with the protection, or existing cover, can be reasons against it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be employed as a teacher?
That depends on the federal state. In many states teachers become civil servants, in others employment under the collective agreement is the norm. Ask the state school authority or the education ministry which form applies to your teaching qualification.
When does my step rise under the TV-L?
Steps rise after fixed periods of service, and the exact periods are set out in § 16 TV-L (in German). If you have relevant prior experience, you may be placed in a higher step at hiring. Clarify this during the contract talk and have it confirmed in writing.
Am I privately insured straight after my degree?
No. When employment starts you are generally compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance. Private insurance is possible for employees only if their regular annual salary exceeds the insurance threshold, or in other exceptional cases. At the start of a career, this is usually not the case.
Does my employer pay part of my health insurance?
Yes. For compulsory statutory membership, employer and employee each pay half of the contributions, including the additional contribution (§ 249 SGB V, in German). The childless surcharge in long-term care insurance is paid by the employee alone.
What to do next
- Check your contract for pay grade, step and how your experience is credited.
- Calculate your share of the contributions with the example above.
- Keep the annual threshold of EUR 77,400 in mind before you think about private insurance.
- Clarify your protection for illness and occupational disability before you sign.
Related guides
- Private Health Insurance for Working Students in Germany
- Health Insurance After Graduation: Job Seeker Visa
- Public service entry pay: E 13 or A 13?
- Starting salaries 2026 by subject
Sources: TV-L pay table valid from 1 April 2026 (Free State of Saxony, last updated April 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation figures (last updated 1 January 2026); Federal Ministry of Health, contributions to statutory health insurance (last updated 3 September 2026); Social Code Book V, § 5 (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
