For young people just starting out their careers in certain fields in Germany, participating in an apprenticeship, or Ausbildung is often essentially required.
Apprenticeships often last a couple years or more and can be paid significantly less than starting level positions in the same field, but they are seen as a valuable way for young professionals to gain hands-on skills and set themselves firmly on a secure career path.
But increasingly, young people say companies don't provide clear information about their apprenticeships, including about pay.
A joint study by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the German Economic Institute (DIW) found that many companies don't clarify training pay or the application process in advance. Only 60 percent of the companies surveyed do so.
According to reporting by BR24, Nearly half of the companies were unable to fill training places last year, while around a quarter of the young people between the ages of 14 and 25 surveyed said that there were too few training places in Germany.
So how much can apprentices expect to earn in different fields, and which apprenticeships are the most rewarding?
Earnings during the apprenticeships, as well as potential earnings in the post-training career, vary greatly depending on the chosen field.
Looking at just one month in 2024, a new report by Germany's Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) found that apprentices in Germany earned on average €1,238 gross per month, with female apprentices slightly out-earning their male counterparts with €1,302 per month on average versus €1,187.
The difference recorded between the genders is due to the different occupations which tend to me more popular with either male and female apprentices.
Which apprenticeships offer the highest wages?
Apprenticeships in healthcare and nursing are among the best paid, with an average monthly gross salary of €1,310 during training.
Training in the maritime professions was also highly remunerated, with a gross monthly salary of €1,236 for apprentice shipbuilders.
In the skilled trades, trainees earned an average of €1,008 gross per month.
Trainees in artistic professions such as music, photography, or graphic design received the lowest remuneration, with an average gross monthly income of €914.
READ ALSO: Five hard truths foreign job seekers in Germany need to know
Bigger companies offer trainees higher wages
Company size also influences earnings. Apprentices in larger companies with over 1,000 employees earn the highest salaries, averaging €1,494 euros per month.
Small enterprises with fewer than ten employees are less generous, averaging just €929.
Long-term prospects
Looking beyond monthly pay during training, long-term salary potential and career growth are crucial.
According to the Stepstone Salary Report 2025, which looks at data based on surveys and statistical analyses of the German labour market, vocations like chemical technicians, electronics technicians, and IT specialists not only command good training wages but also offer strong job security and attractive salaries early in employment.
For example, chemical technicians earn a median salary of over €46,000 in the first three years after completing their apprenticeships.
READ ALSO: The jobs where employees earn the most (and least) in Germany
IT and mechatronics apprenticeships are also rising in popularity due to strong demand, with earnings during training ranging from approximately €1,050 to €1,400 a month.
Other promising fields with good salaries and stable career paths include banking, industrial mechanics, and nursing.
The German apprenticeship system
Germany’s dual vocational system for Azubis (an informal abbreviation for Auszubildende, meaning apprentices or trainees) is renowned worldwide for combining practical experience with theoretical education and offering young people a solid pathway into skilled professions. It offers a mix of on-the-job training and classroom study, designed to ensure apprentices develop skills closely aligned with labour market needs.
Apprenticeship programs typically last between two and three-and-a-half years and end with a final examination (Abschlussprüfung), granting a professional certification that enables the Azubi to work in their trained occupation throughout Germany.
In some cases foreigners who come to Germany may need to complete an apprenticeship before they can work in certain professions in the country.
Azubis typically receive a wage during – relative riches compared to university students (who earn nothing), but a sum which can be hard to live on for young people who support themselves financially or pay rent in a big city.
An additional advantage in Germany is the opportunity to pursue further qualifications called “Meister” certificates after completing an apprenticeship, which significantly boost earning potential.
People who obtain Meister diplomas typically enjoy higher median salaries.
Regional differences
Apprenticeship salaries in Germany show clear regional differences influenced by local economic strength and living costs.
According to a report on Azubi salaries by the Berlin-based startup Kummuni, apprentices can earn monthly wages up to €1,500 in western urban centres like Munich, Frankfurt, and Stuttgart, reflecting the concentration of industries and the higher expenses in these areas.
In contrast, eastern German cities such as Leipzig and Dresden generally offer lower monthly salaries, typically in the €600 to €900 range. However, the report notes that this gap is steadily closing as economic development in eastern regions accelerates.
The divide between urban and rural areas also impacts apprenticeship pay, with companies in metropolitan zones more likely to offer higher pay compared to those in less industrialised rural settings.
Comments