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How much does an engineer in Germany earn in 2025?

written by
Natasha Machado
14/8/2025
Read in
5 min
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If you're thinking of building a solid career in engineering, Germany stands out as a dream destination. With a robust economy and a labor market that values qualified professionals, the country offers competitive salaries that can transform your professional and personal life.

German engineering is recognized worldwide for its excellence and precision. Brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Siemens and Bosch are just a few of the giants that were born on German soil, creating a thriving ecosystem for engineers of all specialties.

Salary overview for engineers in 2025

The numbers speak for themselves: engineers in Germany can expect base salaries between €56 thousand and €80 thousand annually in 2025. This range varies according to specialization, experience, and region, but represents a compensation that is substantially higher than what many professionals find in Brazil.

To contextualize, recent data shows that Brazilians are among the nationalities with the highest salaries in Germany, surpassing even the average wage of native Germans. This demonstrates how qualified Brazilian professionals are valued in the German market.

Salaries by experience level

Junior engineers (recent graduates):

  • Salary range: €49,000 to €58,000 per year
  • Average monthly salary: €4,100 to €4,800
  • Abundant opportunities for growth

Experienced engineers:

  • Salary range: €70 thousand to €130 thousand+ per year
  • Average monthly salary: €5,800 to €10,800+
  • Possibility of leadership and consulting positions

Comparing with Minimum wage in Germany in 2025 of €12.82 per hour (approximately €2,222 per month), it is evident that engineering offers much higher remuneration.

Wages by engineering specialization

Civil Engineering

German civil engineering is solid and well regulated, offering professional stability.

  • Beginners: €50 thousand to €70 thousand annually
  • Experienced: €75 thousand to €95 thousand annually
  • Trending sectors: Sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy

Mechanical Engineering

The heart of German industry, especially in the automotive and manufacturing sector.

  • Beginners: €55 thousand to €80 thousand annually
  • Experienced: €80 thousand to €110 thousand annually
  • Highlight: Industrial automation and green technology

Automation Engineering

One of the most promising areas, driven by Industry 4.0.

  • Intermediate level: €60 thousand to €90 thousand annually
  • Specialists: €90 thousand to €120 thousand annually
  • Trend: Integration of AI and advanced robotics

Computer/Software Engineering

The German tech sector is booming, creating growing demand.

  • Beginners: €58 thousand to €87 thousand annually
  • Experienced: €100 thousand+ per year
  • Bonus: Often includes stock options and extra benefits

Factors that influence salaries

Geographic location

As best cities to work in Germany they offer different salaries:

Regions with the highest salaries:

  • Munich (Bavaria): +15% above the national average
  • Stuttgart (Baden-Württemberg): +12% above average
  • Frankfurt (Hesse): +10% above average
  • Hamburg: +8% above average

Attractive cost-benefit ratio:

  • Berlin: Competitive salaries with lower cost of living
  • Dresden: Emerging in affordable technology
  • Leipzig: Growing logistics hub

Company size

  • Startups: €45 thousand to €70 thousand + equity
  • Medium-sized companies: €55 thousand to €85 thousand + benefits
  • Multinationals: €70 thousand to €120 thousand + full package

Certifications and specializations

Professionals with specific certifications can increase their salaries by 10% to 25%:

  • SAP Certifications for Automation Engineers
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Certifications in green and sustainable technologies

Benefits beyond the base salary

Engineers in Germany receive much more than just their salary. The benefits package includes:

Mandatory benefits:

  • 30 days of paid vacation (minimum)
  • Generous maternity/paternity leave
  • Retirement contributions

Common benefits:

  • 13th salary (Christmas bonus)
  • Transportation aid
  • Continuing Education Allowance
  • Flexible hours and home office
  • Life and accident insurance

Growth and career prospects

Germany invests heavily in research and development, spending around 3% of GDP on innovation. This creates constant opportunities for engineers in areas such as:

  1. Renewable energy: German energy transition (Energiewende)
  2. Electric mobility: Expansion of the sustainable automotive industry
  3. Industry 4.0: Industrial automation and digitalization
  4. Sustainable construction: Smart and efficient buildings

For those who wish work in Germany after graduation, the country offers a work visa for 18 months after completing the course, enough time to establish itself professionally.

How to increase your chances of success

Professional qualification

The program Study and Work in Germany may be your first step in entering the German market. During your studies, you can work up to 20 hours a week, gaining experience and networking.

Language proficiency

Although it is Is it possible to work in Germany without fluent German in some multinational companies, mastering the local language significantly increases their opportunities and salary potential.

Networking and cultural adaptation

German professional culture values:

  • Punctuality and reliability
  • Impeccable technical quality
  • Efficient teamwork
  • Innovation and continuous improvement

International comparison

To contextualize German salaries, let's compare them with other popular destinations:

Germany vs Brazil:

  • Full engineer salary in Brazil: R$ 8,000-15,000 (€1,300-2,500)
  • Full engineer salary in Germany: €5,000-8,000
  • Purchasing power: 2x to 3x higher in Germany

Germany vs other European countries:

  • France: Similar salaries but higher tax burden
  • UK: Slightly higher salaries but very high cost of living
  • Netherlands: Competitive but more restricted market

Be Easy

Do you dream of being part of this reality and achieving your financial independence as an engineer in Germany? A Be Easy is here to make that dream a reality. Our specialized team offers full support from choosing the ideal course to its adaptation to the German market. We know that each journey is unique, so we customize our service to meet your specific needs, ensuring that you have all the necessary tools to achieve the professional success you deserve. Contact us today and take the first step towards your international career in Germany!

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Natasha Machado
Founder e CEO, Be Easy