Salary: How much should you earn at 20, 30 or 40 years?

It is always good to know where you are on the salary scale yourself. In the best case, you can be satisfied and feel confirmed if your own salary is higher than the average earnings. If, on the other hand, it is less than the average values ​​in your own industry or age group, you can feel encouraged to appear more confidently at the next salary negotiation and to demand more money from the boss or boss. After all, nobody wants to be underpaid. So it is important to know: What do others actually earn?

A general number in advance: According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) in 2024, the Federal Average earnings of a full -time employee were 4634 euros a month. This corresponds to an annual salary of around 55,600 euros. However, since it is far from working every 40 hours a week, the German pension insurance puts the actual local average income somewhat lower, currently around 50,500 euros. That is around 4,200 euros per month. These numbers are only a gross arithmetical mean of all salaries of all industries, age groups and. Therefore, you have to take a closer look if you want to compare your own salary with the earnings of other employees.

Of course, salaries depend on many factors that are most important: the level of training, the elected industry and the age of the employees. Because age usually also increases the professional experience, and employers are rewarding. In addition, employees who have completed university training are often paid somewhat more generously because it is assumed that they have special knowledge and analytical thinking. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the salaries of academics are an average of 5,500 euros, doctoral students can even expect an average of around 8,700 euros.

In the case of employees with vocational training, however, it is an average of around 3500 euros per month. However, technicians and master craftsmen can almost make up with around 4800 euros earnings. Uncestretted, on the other hand, have a lower gross monthly income of around 2,800 euros. This data applies to all age groups. But what do you earn as a young professional and how does the earnings increase?

: The gross annual income in the age group of 16 to 24 year olds is 15,400 euros in median, which is 1300 euros per month. The median means: every second employee earns more than this 1300 euros, the other half less. In this age group in particular, however, the income is also very unevenly distributed: many trainees only receive very small covers – until the age of 20. While the first students who start the job at 24 can hope for higher merits.

According to job exchanges, the entry -level salaries of academics are currently around 3780 euros a month, which is already 45,400 euros annually. On average, the salary comparison portals indicate that 20-year-olds could expect an annual salary of around 30,000 euros, which is around 2500 euros a month.

If you have been in the job for ten years and more, you are almost at the level of the German average income and, according to salary computers, get around 42,000 euros in annual gross earnings. That is around 3,500 euros a month. Incidentally, according to the employment agency, the median income of employees with vocational training is so high, but not at this age, but across all age groups.

With increasing professional experience and after a few jumps on the career ladder, 40-year-olds can then expect an annual salary of around 57,000 euros gross in the median. So with 4800 euros per month. For specialists with vocational training, the value is more than 48,000 euros per year, i.e. around 4,000 euros a month. However, academics in particular are likely to achieve higher salaries at middle age. Your median earnings are around 5,500 euros per month, which already corresponds to 66,000 euros per year with 12 salaries. Accordingly, more in the case of non -tariff contracts and surcharges.

However, even greater than the spread between ages is that between the professions: While in tourism and gastronomy, logistics and many social professions the merits are not so abundant, pilots ,,, lawyers or software programmers are paid comparatively better. According to the Federal Statistical Office, pilots earn about as much as a doctorate and professors, namely around 8,700 euros per month, is 104,000 euros a year. According to job exchanges, engineers are also around 100,000 euros a year. According to Destatis, doctors had an average of 7700 euros (around 92,000 euros). Software developers over around 5500 euros per month. Office clerks and geriatric nurse are also around 3600 euros below the average, chefs (2600 euros) and (1800).

The numbers show: It is not only crucial for the salary how long someone has been in the job, but above all what profession he has chosen. If you want to earn well later, you should choose an industry with potential. And as a master craftsman or technician, he or she can also bring home a lot of money.