Top 30 Highest Paying Jobs in Germany
Between the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, Germany, like much of Europe, is experiencing dramatic inflation. The latest data showed inflation at 10.4 percent, and it’s expected to remain around this amount through 2024.
If you’re a student trying to decide what to study and want to know the highest-paying degrees in Germany, a citizen interested in earning more money, or a foreigner who wants to have a comfortable life in this country, this guide is for you.
Below, you’ll find lists of the top 30 highest-paying jobs in Germany and suggestions for finding and applying for these positions.
What are the highest-paid jobs in Germany?
Let’s begin with the best jobs in Germany for foreigners and locals alike. Listed below are the top ten highest-paying jobs in Germany that you might want to consider applying for (or adjusting your course of study so you qualify for them):
Average Salary: €5,200 per month
Salary Range: €26,328-€165,756 per year
What do doctors do?
Doctors care for patients, diagnosing and recommending treatment plans for various illnesses and ailments.
Doctors also collaborate with nurses and other medical professionals to coordinate care and ensure patients recover as quickly as possible.
Average Salary: €2,368 per month
Salary Range: €21,732-€124,800 per year
What do pilots do?
Because many airlines operate in Germany, there’s a high demand for pilots — who are also paid well because of how important their jobs are.
Pilots are responsible for flying travelers safely from one location to the next. Their responsibilities also grow as they gain experience and take on longer flights.
Average Salary: €6,866 per month
Salary Range: €50,004-€99,996 per year
What do sales managers do?
A sales manager leads and coaches a team of sales professionals. They not only have a strong sales background themselves, but they’re also skilled at motivating and training others to help them reach their goals.
Average Salary: €7,270 per month
Salary Range: €3,350-€11,600 per month
What do lawyers do?
Lawyers work with clients to help them understand the legal aspects of various processes, from buying a home to writing a will.
They also represent clients in court and advocate for them in front of a judge.
Average Salary: €7,654 per month
Salary Range: €64,664- €113,910 per year
What do portfolio managers do?
Portfolio managers play important roles in the investment process.
They work with clients to develop and implement strategies that help them achieve their financial goals.
Average Salary: €6,946 per month
Salary Range: €58,427-€103,455 per year
What do college professors do?
A college professor teaches classes to college students.
They are experts in various subjects and share their knowledge with students. They also, in many cases, conduct and publish research in academic journals.
Average Salary: €4,894 per month
Salary Range: €53,748-€88,116 per year
What do electrical engineers do?
Electrical engineers specialize in all aspects of building electrical equipment. They handle everything from designing and testing to installing and maintaining.
Average Salary: €3,410 per month
Salary Range: €1,570-€5,420 per month
What do software developers do?
Software developers are responsible for writing the code needed to create software programs.
They take client needs and preferences into account to create a product that people want to use and can easily navigate.
Average Salary: €5,104 per month
Salary Range: €48,996-€90,000 per year
What do geologist do?
A project manager handles all aspects associated with completing a project. They can work in various departments, from marketing to software development.
They handle planning, organizing, assigning tasks, and monitoring progress. They collaborate with other employees to ensure the project gets done on time and on (or under) budget.
Average Salary: 6,790 per month
Salary Range: 2,120-10,800 per month
What do risk managers do?
Risk managers work with organizations and oversee their insurance/risk management programs.
They identify risks that could affect the business’s reputation, financial security, and overall success. They also share their findings and propose solutions.
Which career is the most in-demand in Germany?
In addition to knowing the highest-paying jobs in Germany, it’s also important to consider the careers that are the most in-demand here. Some jobs pay well but are highly competitive, meaning even if you’re qualified you may have a hard time landing them.
Here are ten in-demand positions, many of which are also considered among the highest-paying jobs in Germany 2023 and beyond. If you want to find and apply for the best jobs in Germany for foreigners or locals, this list is a good jumping-off point:
Average Salary: €3,200 per month
Salary Range: €29,124-€50,748 per year
What do nurses do?
Nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, from hospitals and emergency rooms to clinics.
They provide direct care to patients and do their best to keep them comfortable. They also offer education to manage symptoms, prevent diseases, etc.
Average Salary: €5,200 per month
Salary Range: €26,328-€165,756 per year
What do doctors do?
Doctors also work in hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, and other medical facilities.
They work alongside nurses and other medical professionals to diagnose and care for patients, making sure they recover as quickly as possible.
Average Salary: €4,894 per month
Salary Range: €53,748-€88,116 per year
What do electrical engineers do?
Electrical engineers design, build, test, install, and maintain electrical equipment. They work on everything from computers to electric motors.
Average Salary: €3,930 per month
Salary Range: €1,990-€6,240 per month
What do IT specialists do?
IT specialists are responsible for a variety of tasks related to managing network systems (local area networks, wide area networks, cloud networks, etc.).
They analyze, test, and troubleshoot issues these systems experience and perform regular maintenance to minimize interruptions.
Average Salary: 2,110 per month
Salary Range: 970-3,360 per month
What do production assistants do?
Production assistants work in factories and other industrial settings.
They handle tasks like unloading and loading products. They also carry out inspections and make sure products meet specific quality standards.
Average Salary: €6,866 per month
Salary Range: €50,004-€99,996 per year
What do sales managers do?
Sales managers are the heads of sales teams for businesses across all industries.
They work with salespeople to set goals, create strategies, and implement sales plans. They also collaborate with members of the marketing department.
Average Salary: €4,792 per month
Salary Range: €39,000-€85,800 per year
What do product managers do?
Like production assistants, product managers work in factories and industrial settings.
They oversee production assistants and other employees, creating schedules, monitoring productivity, tracking spending, and handling quality assurance issues.
Average Salary: €3,401 per month
Salary Range: €20,220-€70,200 per year
What do civil engineers do?
Civil engineers work on building and infrastructure projects.
They plan, design, construct, and repair buildings, bridges, and various other systems and structures.
Average Salary: €5,292 per month
Salary Range: €40,080-€90,876 per year
What do architects do?
Architects are designers who work on indoor and outdoor projects. They work with public and private clients and collaborate with them to ensure their vision comes to life.
Average Salary: €5,840 per month
Salary Range: €2,690-€9,280 per month
What do economists do?
Economists are scientists who analyze topics related to the way goods and services are produced, distributed, and consumed.
They can work in a variety of industries, including business, health, and environmental sciences.
Which engineering job has the highest salary in Germany?
As you may have noticed from the previous sections, engineering jobs are some of the most in-demand and highest-paying jobs in Germany. If you’ve been curious about the highest-paying degrees in Germany or high-paying jobs in Germany for foreigners, an engineering degree and career in the field is an excellent choice.
The following are the highest-paying engineering jobs in the country:
Average Salary: €4,894 per month
Salary Range: €53,748-€88,116 per year
What do electrical engineers do?
An electrical engineer is critical to all processes of creating electrical equipment. They design, build, test, and maintain this equipment to ensure it always runs correctly.
Average Salary: €3,490 per month
Salary Range: €1,600-€5,540 per monthh
What do mechanical engineers do?
A mechanical engineer handles the design and production of any type of power-producing machine. They work on engines, turbines, refrigerators, elevators, and more.
Average Salary: €3,800 per month
Salary Range: €1,750-€6,040 per monthh
What do chemical engineers do?
Chemical engineers design and troubleshoot processes related to producing chemicals, food, fuel, and pharmaceuticals.
Average Salary: €2,850 per month
Salary Range: €1,130-€7,090 per month
What do automotive engineers do?
Automotive engineers work on cars and other vehicles.
They specifically handle design (original or improvements) to various aspects of the vehicle.
Average Salary: €3,200 per month
Salary Range: €1,470-5,080 per month
What do industrial engineers do?
Industrial engineers are responsible for developing systems that make the industrial space as efficient as possible. They take into account machines, materials, and the workers who utilize them.
Average Salary: €3,401 per month
Salary Range: €20,220-€70,200 per year
What do civil engineers do?
Civil engineers are responsible for planning, designing, constructing, and repairing buildings, as well as structures like bridges.
Average Salary: €3,620 per month
Salary Range: €1,660-€5,750 per month
What do oil and gas engineers do?
Also known as petroleum engineers, oil and gas engineers are responsible for locating and extracting oil and gas to meet local energy needs.
Average Salary: €4,540 per month
Salary Range: €2,090-€7,230 per month
What do aerospace engineers do?
Aerospace engineers are responsible for developing technologies used in aviation, spacecraft, and defense systems.
Average Salary: €2,913 per month
Salary Range: €1,178-€4,661 per month
What do computer engineers do?
Computer engineering combines elements of electrical engineering and computer science to develop new computers and other related technologies.
Average Salary: €4,667 per month
Salary Range: €54,000-€69,276 per year
What do software engineeers do?
Software engineering is a branch of computer science. It focuses on designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications.
How can I find a high-paying job opening in Germany?
If you’re qualified and want to apply for the highest-paying jobs in Germany 2023 and onward, here are some suggestions for how you can start your search:
- Online job boards: An online job board, such as GrabJobs, allows you to search for a variety of jobs by location, desired salary, job type, and other important criteria.
- Recruitment agencies: Recruitment agencies can help you connect with companies that are actively hiring and looking to fill vacancies quickly. They can also provide valuable information on the maximum salary in Germany per month, tips for writing a resume, and more.
- Online forums: Posting on online forums, such as Reddit, gives you a chance to connect with people from across the world, including in Germany, and learn about job openings you wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
Networking events: Many recruitment agencies host networking events that allow you to meet with representatives from various businesses, give them your resume, and make a great first impression.
What is a good salary in Germany?
The average monthly salary in Germany is €4,105, putting the average yearly salary at €49,260.
If you’re curious about how a particular position’s salary stacks up against this number, check out the GrabJobs Salary Guide. It features in-depth information on various positions, including average salaries and salary ranges, to help you find a job that will pay you enough to live comfortably in Germany.
Search for the highest-paying jobs in Germany with GrabJobs
As you can see from the information in this guide, you have plenty of options for well-paid jobs in Germany, whether you’re a citizen or a foreigner thinking about relocating.
Whether you’re searching for high-paying jobs in Germany for foreigners or a position that will help you earn the maximum salary in Germany per month without a degree, GrabJobs can help you find a good option. Check out our free search tool today to get started.
Photo by Ansgar Scheffold on Unsplash
