Salary expectations in Germany: how to state them in your application
German job ads often ask for your „Gehaltsvorstellung“. Knowing how pay is quoted and what the market pays helps you name a number you can defend.
Asking for salary expectations is normal in Germany. If the ad asks for them, add one sentence at the end of your cover letter; otherwise wait for the interview.
Always gross
Salaries in Germany are quoted gross (brutto), before tax and social security contributions. Your net pay depends on your tax class and other factors.
- Permanent jobs: annual gross salary, e.g. „36.000 Euro brutto im Jahr“
- Hourly jobs: gross hourly wage, e.g. „15,50 Euro brutto pro Stunde“
How to find a realistic number
- Entgeltatlas – the Federal Employment Agency's free tool showing median pay by occupation and region.
- Collective agreements (Tarif) – published pay scales in care, public service, trades and retail.
- Job ads – many now include a salary range.
The floor is the statutory minimum wage – €13.90 per hour in 2026. Some sectors such as care and building cleaning have higher sector minimums.
Phrases in German
- „Meine Gehaltsvorstellung liegt bei 36.000 Euro brutto im Jahr.“
- „Ich stelle mir ein Bruttojahresgehalt zwischen 34.000 und 37.000 Euro vor.“
- „Eine Vergütung nach Tarif ist für mich passend.“
Frequently asked questions
Should I give my salary expectation gross or net?+
Always gross. Quoting a net figure can lead to a big misunderstanding.
What is the Entgeltatlas?+
A free online tool by the German Federal Employment Agency showing median earnings by occupation, federal state, age and gender.
What if my number is too high?+
Most employers will make a counter-offer. Only clearly unrealistic numbers get applications rejected, which is why research pays off.
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