This is where you can really rake in the dough: The best-paid jobs in Germany

It's a well-known fact that money alone doesn't make you happy, but nevertheless a decent salary makes your life a lot easier. Many professionals therefore strive for a job that pays as much as possible. For this reason, we have compiled a list of the best-paid professions in Germany.

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Abi is not a must: The best-paid jobs with a secondary school diploma

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For some apprenticeships, you need at least a secondary school diploma. Depending on the industry, you can also earn quite a decent salary here:

1. Technician - 48.812 €
2. IT specialist - €45,839  
3. Electronics technician - €43,409
4. Bank clerk - €42,923
5. Fitter - €41,739
6. Businessman / woman - 41,733 €
7. Sewage technology specialist - €41,357
8. Mechatronics technician - €40,343
9. Industrial mechanic - 40,252 €
10. Pharmaceutical commercial employee (PKA) - €38,361

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No desire for apprenticeships: The best-paying jobs without training

It is much more difficult to find a job without having completed an apprenticeship or a degree. Nevertheless, there are also well-paid professions without training, although not as much jumps out of them as from "real" apprenticeships. Career changers can also benefit from the best-paid jobs without training:

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1. Scaffolder - €41,739
2. Carpenter - 40.252 €
3. Shipping employee - €38,832
4. Painter - 37.052 €
5. Security employee - €35,395
6. Professional driver - €33,596
7. Parcel delivery driver - €29,838
8. Call Center Agent - €29,702
9. Warehouse clerk - €28,233
10. Waiter - €26,032

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These are the highest paid professions in this country

The top 20 highest earning professions nationwide are (average gross annual salary, source: https://www.gehalt.de/, accessed October 11, 2022):

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1. Chief physician - €246,649
2. Senior physician - €129,993
3. Pilot - 109,610 €
4. Channel Manager - €104,399
5. Legal Counsel - €83,517
6. Tax consultant - €79,395
7. Banker - €78,759
8. Business Manager - €77,883
9. Lawyer - €77,056
10. Actuary - €75,370
11. Service Delivery Manager - €74,814
12. Trader - €71,456
13. Risk manager - €70,843
14. Program Manager - €69,958
15. Key Account Manager - €68,760
16. Operating engineer - €67,651
17. Portfolio Manager - €65,229
18. EHS Manager - €64,222
19. Software architect - €62,663
20. Corporate Communications Officer - €60,802
21. Medical Advisor - €54,468

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Otherwise, there are still individual cases with particularly high salaries. Some top managers or CEOs of very large and successful companies sometimes earn the most and are thus among the 1% of the richest people in Germany. However, these jobs also involve a very large amount of responsibility. With all these jobs, you should also consider the salary differences between the sexes, the so-called gender pay gap, according to which women are still paid less than men on average in almost all professions. According to the Federal Statistical Office, women in Germany earned an average of 18% less per hour than men in 2021. For this reason, the values given here are only average values, which can change depending on gender. 

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Cramming for a long time, finally ready for a career: the best-paying jobs with a degree

With a university degree, your chances of landing one of the coveted best-paying professions can be very good, depending on your course of study. The classic profession of doctor is still one of the best-paid professions, for which a medical degree is a prerequisite. However, modern professions are now also advancing into the realm of the best-paying jobs, including IT and engineering, for example. In addition, typical high-paying jobs after graduation can be found especially in law and business. 

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1. Doctor - €85,331
2. Legal Counsel - €83,517
3. Business Manager - €77,883
4. Actuary - €75,370
5. Program Manager - €69,958
6. Operating engineer - €67,651
7. Portfolio Manager - €65,229
8. Software architect - €62,663
9. Medical Advisor - €54,468
10. Sales Manager - €47,360

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The best-paid professions with training and without a university degree

But it doesn't always have to be a degree, because even without and "only" with an education you can find well-paid jobs: 

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1. Pilot - 109,610 €
2. Air traffic controller - €108,947
3. Tax consultant - €79,395
4. Insurance broker - €52,062
5. Social security employee - €49,468
6. Policeman - €48,448
7. Bank clerk - €42,923
8. Administrative assistant - €41,733
9. Ship mechanic - €41,553
10. Mechatronics technician - €40,343

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One of the best-known, best-paid jobs without a degree is air traffic controller. As with the related, best-paying job of pilot, however, the admission requirements and hurdles are also very high here, so that only just under 5% of applicants make it to the training position at all. Those who make it take on a huge responsibility over the lives of passengers and flight personnel in aircraft taking off and landing, but are rewarded with a very attractive salary!

Otherwise, certain skilled trades are now also among the best-paying apprenticeship jobs, as the demand for well-trained specialists, for example for house construction, is now very high.

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FAQ

‍Was sind die bestbezahlten Jobs in Deutschland?

High-ranking doctors, pilots, air traffic controllers, managers and consultants in the business and finance sectors, IT specialists and engineers earn the most in Germany. 

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Which job earns you the most money?

Chefärzte sind die Top-Verdiener in Deutschland und bekommen durchschnittlich zwischen 16.287 € und 24.293 € brutto pro Monat. Was ist der Unterschied zwischen brutto und netto?

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What is the highest paid job in the world?

CEOs of large, world-renowned companies make the most money.

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