Check it out: How much does a driver earn in Germany?

Lost in your job search? Find out everything you need to know about the job of a driver and your salary prospects here. Drivers drive various vehicles and transport goods or people from A to B. They always bear a great deal of responsibility, as their freight must arrive safely at its destination. But what does the salary of professional drivers actually look like, does it reflect the responsibility? How much do truck drivers, bus drivers, parcel deliverers etc. earn? We take a closer look at this and much more below. You will also find out which factors influence the salary of drivers in Germany and in which regions you can expect the best income.

Heads up: These factors influence a driver's earnings

On average, the driver's gross salary is between 2,700 and 3,300 euros per month (source: gehalt.de). This salary range is the result of various factors:

• Your professional experience and existing qualifications
• Employer: industry and collective bargaining, region, company size
• Local or long-distance transport: duration and distance of your routes
• Working hours: Monday to Friday or possible night and weekend shifts
  

In general, your salary as a driver increases the longer you have worked in your job and the more often you drive long distances at night or at weekends. Even if your employer is bound by collective agreements, your income will increase by an average of 11% (source: Verdi). Our tip: You can find out whether a company is subject to a specific union wage agreement on the internet - this way you have transparent salary information when you are looking for a job and can secure the best wage!

Let's make money! - The average driver salary by specialty

The profession of driver can take many forms - from truck drivers who transport hazardous goods, to cab drivers who transport people, to courier drivers who deliver letters, parcels and medicines. Due to the wide range of specializations, the salaries of the various drivers can vary greatly. We have therefore compiled a brief overview of some specializations and their average monthly gross salaries (based on a 40-hour week) for you here.

Salary table driver jobs

Each of these specializations of a professional driver brings its own challenges and joys. Which driver job specialization you ultimately choose depends entirely on your personal preferences and salary expectations. Of course, the different driver jobs also require different qualifications: A chauffeur is expected to have different manners than a bus driver or courier driver, for example. 

Interested in becoming a courier driver? Find out what requirements you need to fulfill to become a courier driver here: Everything you need to know about becoming a courier driver.

Here's how much you'll earn in the states: The monthly salary for professional drivers 

As already mentioned, the location of the company has a major influence on drivers' earnings. In a comparison of driver salaries, the federal state of Hesse is the front runner with an average gross professional driver salary of around 3,200 euros. It is closely followed by Baden-Württemberg and Hamburg in 2nd and 3rd place. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, on the other hand, brings up the rear in the state comparison with a gross monthly driver salary of around €2,620 (according to Gehalt.de). As usual, professional drivers in western federal states earn more than those in the east. Please note, however, that we can only provide an average in this article. It is always possible that as a truck driver in Saxony you will earn more than your colleagues in the west due to long-distance driving.

The hourly wage of a driver: You can count on this

As a driver, you usually receive a fixed monthly salary or, in exceptional cases, work flexibly for an hourly wage. Courier drivers often receive an hourly wage, which is usually between 15 and 20 euros per hour, according to figures from Gehalt.de. Drivers can have a mini or part-time job as well as a full-time job. You can find more information about the profession of courier driver here: Tasks and salary of a courier driver.

The average hourly wage as a professional driver is 17.60 euros, as a truck driver 16.60 euros and your salary as a bus driver is even 18.60 euros per hour (Stepstone, Gehalt.de). In addition, the hourly wage for professional drivers often increases for night and weekend shifts, as well as on public holidays.

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FAQs

What does a professional driver earn per month?

On average, professional drivers earn between 2,770 and 3,360 euros gross per month for a 40-hour week (source: gehalt.de). The level of salary depends on professional experience, qualifications and the size and location of the company. The working hours and willingness to work night and weekend shifts are also decisive for the driver's salary.

Can you earn good money as a truck driver?

The average gross salary for truck drivers is 2,900 euros per month (Stepstone), but this can vary depending on various factors. The more responsibility you take on, the higher you often earn. According to Stepstone, truck drivers who transport hazardous goods earn around 3,350 euros gross per month.

How much do you earn as a chauffeur?

If you work as a chauffeur, you can expect a gross salary of 3,025 euros per month (source Stepstone). However, the salary depends heavily on the employer.