Berlin. In April 2025, full-time employees with recognized vocational training in Germany earned an average gross salary of €4,125 per month, according to figures released Wednesday by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). By contrast, those working in skilled trades often earned below-average wages.
Germany's salary gap widens as qualifications boost earnings by thousands
Full-time masons, for example, took home an average of €3,910, while hairdressers earned just €2,470—over €1,500 less than the overall average for employees with completed vocational training. Toolmakers, however, earned slightly above the national average at €4,179, or more than 1.5 times the salary of hairdressers (€2,470). All figures apply to employees, not the self-employed.
Career choice is not the only factor influencing earnings. Higher educational qualifications generally lead to higher pay. In April 2025, full-time workers without vocational training earned an average of €3,432—about €693 less than those with completed vocational education (€4,125).
Employees holding a master craftsman, technician, or advanced vocational college diploma earned an average of €5,405—€621 more than the overall average for all workers (regardless of educational attainment). Those with a bachelor's degree earned €5,289, while a master's degree added roughly €1,730 to that figure, bringing the average to €7,019. Employees with a doctorate or postdoctoral qualification earned the most, with an average gross salary of €9,476.
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