Salary Calculator Germany

Your Take-Home Pay in Other Countries

The table below compares the take-home pay you can expect for the same gross salary across the 18 other countries covered by our calculators. Please note that certain assumptions were necessary when estimating your taxes in those countries.

Your Salary vs. German Wages

The following chart outlines your before-tax earnings relative to the national average salary and minimum wage in Germany.

Please note that the national figures assume full-time employment for the entire year, while your salary is calculated based on the settings you selected.

Average Salary in Germany

The average salary for full-time workers in Germany is €53,748 per year, or €4,479 per month (source: Federal Statistical Office). This equates to €2,857 monthly after taxes and contributions, assuming you are not married and have no dependents.

Note that the average gets distorted by high earners, which explains why it is higher than the German median salary (50th percentile) of €45,800 annually, or €3,817 per month. To give a better insight into earnings across Germany, we've compiled each state's median gross salary alongside the monthly net salary estimated by our calculator in the table below.

Minimum Wage in Germany

In 2026, the national minimum wage in Germany is €13.90 per hour, which works out to a gross salary of €2,409 a month or €28,912 a year, if we consider the typical full-time work week of 40 hours. Exceptions include certain internships, mandatory traineeships, and anyone under age 18 who has not completed vocational training.

Although this is one of the highest rates in the EU, a monthly gross wage of €2,409 translates to a take-home pay of €1,712 if we run the numbers in Berlin using our net salary calculator. In other words, a full-time minimum wage earner in Germany should expect to part with almost €8,366 in taxes and contributions per year.

The minimum wage also affects marginal employment — so-called "mini-jobs" that are generally exempt from income tax and social security contributions. The monthly pay for these part-time jobs is capped at €603, which translates to an annual mini-job salary limit of €7,236 including any bonuses.

How Is Net Salary Calculated and Paid in Germany?

In Germany, taxes are levied at the federal, state, and sometimes even municipal levels. These include Income Tax, Solidarity Surcharge, and several types of Social Insurance. If you are employed, then all taxes and contributions are automatically deducted from you gross salary by your employer each month, so your paycheck is generally net of tax.

If you run your own business, have multiple professions, or are self-employed, then you have to calculate your own taxes and send in an annual tax return.

Taxes Included in This German Tax Calculator

Tax Year: 2026 – 2027

• Income Tax (Lohnsteuer): Germany uses a progressive tax rate, which means your rate increases as your income grows. The 2026 rates range from 0% for incomes below €12,348 up to 45% for the highest salaries.
• Solidarity Surcharge (Solidaritätszuschlag): The Solidarity Surcharge is an additional charge, capped at 5.5% of your income, that goes toward improving infrastructure and the economic situation nationwide.
• Social Insurance: You also must make contributions to various social insurance plans, such as pension (Rentenversicherung), health insurance (Krankenversicherung), unemployment insurance (Arbeitslosenversicherung), and long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung).
• Church Tax (Kirchensteuer): This tax is applicable to members of registered religious communities, with rates varying by state. If you are affiliated with a German church, please click on More Options More Options in our calculator to enable this tax.