Best Paid Ausbildung Programs in Germany
Ausbildung or vocational training is a popular way to get a professional education in Germany without breaking the bank and even earning a salary at the same time. The most common trade jobs for vocational training in Germany are various handicrafts, electrician, plumber, mason, painter or hairdresser, salesperson, graphic designer etc.
In Germany, the average salary of trainees ranges between 600 EUR and 1,200 EUR per month, depending on the profession. Upon completing the program, one can expect an average gross wage between 2,000 EUR and 3,000 EUR. Some of the best-paid Ausbildung professions get paid up to 4,000 per month.
Germany has more than 300 vocational occupations, and for each of these, you can find an Ausbildung program! Every program has different requirements, but it’s possible to find training with any educational background. The salaries vary between the occupations; read in this post which Ausbildung programs have the best earning potential in Germany.
Also read the article about the best-paid jobs without a degree in Germany.
Best salaries during Ausbildung in Germany
When you start vocational training in Germany, you will earn money from day one in most companies. However, earnings can vary a lot. Ausbildung in Germany includes theoretical knowledge and practical hours, for both students receive a salary.
That’s why in this article, we separate salaries paid during the program and after completing the vocational training in Germany. So you can see which Ausbildung training will give you good support during and or upon finishing.
Learn more about Ausbildung (Vocational training) in Germany.
Vocational Training in Germany for Foreigners: Guide
Air traffic controller
The air traffic controller is a responsible profession; therefore, it also paid very well already during the Ausbildung in Germany. In professional life, you will coordinate the take-off and landing of aircraft or guide aircraft safely through air traffic. You will be the one who issues instructions, even in situations of danger.
The air traffic control trainees receive by far the highest salary during their apprenticeship in Germany.
- 1 year – 1,150 EUR
- 2 year – 1,150–4,000 EUR
- 3 year – 4,000–5,900 EUR
Highest Paying Jobs in Germany Without a Degree
Ship mechanic
The technical equipment on board of the ship is in the responsibility of ship mechanics. You work in shipping companies, freight and passenger traffic, and port or shipbuilding facilities. Your main tasks are operation, maintenance, and servicing technical equipment and instruments onboard a ship.
- 1 year – 1,020 EUR
- 2 year – 1,270 EUR
- 3 year – 1,760 EUR
Policeman
If you want to help people by ensuring law and order, you could consider being a police officer as a profession. Depending on which degree you have and in which state you wish to become a police officer, you will be trained as a civil servant in the middle or higher service.
Your duties and responsibilities, as well as salary, grow with the rank. The civil servant in the higher service certainly earns more than colleagues from the middle service. The salary during the Ausbildung is also high enough to cover living expenses and save money.
- 1 year – 1,170-1,380 EUR
- 2 year – 1,170-1,380 EUR
- 3 year – 1,170-1,380 EUR
Ausbildung in Germany and Accommodation: How To Manage Living Expenses?
Nurse
Nursing is one of the most common vocational professions in Germany and also a well-paid one. They work in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, or similar institutions.
A nurse takes care of patients and is responsible for their needs in the hospital. The control of the drug inventory and the drug order also falls within their duties. Check out how much you can earn as a nurse in Germany here.
- 1 year – 1,100 EUR
- 2 year – 1,150 EUR
- 3 year – 1,250 EUR
Salesperson for insurance and finance
Salesperson for insurances and finance is an expert on such products as life insurance, various financial products up to the pension insurance. They basically work as consultants. The main tasks are to advise customers, take care of insurance claims, and conclude contracts.
The insurance and finance industry is very profitable in Germany; consequently, trainees can count on good pay already during their vocational school. Check out how much you can earn as an insurance agent in Germany here.
- 1 year – 1,040 EUR
- 2 year – 1,115 EUR
- 3 year – 1,200 EUR
Do you want the best Ausbildung in Germany in the English language? Read here about your opportunities!
IT specialist
Someone interested in IT can choose between 4 majors: a specialist in application development, a specialist in system integration, digital networking as well as data and process analysis.
No matter which specialization you choose: a good allowance is guaranteed for you. However, applicants in the metal and electrical industry get 1,050 EUR per month already in the first year of training. Check out how much you can earn as an IT profession in Germany here.
- 1 year – 1,050 EUR
- 2 year – 1,100 EUR
- 3 year – 1,200 EUR
Specialist in mechatronics
The tasks of mechatronics specialists are incredibly diverse, mainly including testing, measuring, assembling, maintaining, and repairing machines. They can work in many different areas and industries in Germany.
The mechatronics engineer is not only one of the most popular but also one of the highest-paid apprenticeships, especially If you are in the metal and electrical industry.
Mechatronics specialists study 4 years instead of 3 compared to the occupations mentioned above. Several years in schools in Germany has a significant increase in your salary as shown below here.
- 1 year – 1,050 EUR
- 2 year – 1,100 EUR
- 3 year – 1,200 EUR
- 4 year – 1,260 EUR
Bank clerk
Although being a bank clerk doesn’t sound impressive, they are always in demand and get paid really well. The bank worker is someone who consults a customer in the bank about its financial services.
For instance, if a customer wants to open an account, first search the company, submit a loan application, or provide proof of financial capabilities. Check out how much you can earn as a bank clerk in Germany here.
- 1 year – 1,020 EUR
- 2 year – 1,070 EUR
- 3 year – 1,115 EUR
Learn about basic requirements for Ausbildung in Germany.
Ausbildung in Germany: Requirements in 2023
Aircraft mechanic
As an aircraft mechanic, you either make flying machines, service them, or make engines and maintain them.
In Ausbildung in Germany as an aircraft mechanic, you will have more practical training on how aircraft, helicopters, or even spacecraft are built and serviced.
As an aircraft mechanic, you will work in production technology, maintenance technology, or engine technology, depending on the chosen training focus. This Ausbildung offers you several opportunities to enter well-paid and exciting jobs in Germany and around the world.
This and the last best-paid Ausbildung program will take you 4 years to finish but believe me, it’s worth it. Check out how much you can earn as an aircraft mechanic in Germany here.
- 1 year – 1,000 EUR
- 2 year – 1,050 EUR
- 3 year – 1,150 EUR
- 4 year – 1,200 EUR
Electronics technician for devices and systems
As an electronics technician for devices and systems, you create components and devices, for example, for medical, information, and communication or measurement and testing technology.
Your main tasks will be controlling and monitoring the manufacturing and maintenance of the devices and systems.
Moreover, you work in the production and testing of machines, do quality assurance, install and configure programs or operating systems, and replace defective parts.
The industry of devices and systems is huge in Germany and rapidly growing. One will have great opportunities with vocational training as an electronics technician. Check out how much you can earn as a technician in electronics in Germany here.
- 1 year – 1,040 EUR
- 2 year – 1,050 EUR
- 3 year – 1,150 EUR
- 4 year – 1,200 EUR
How to manage living expenses as a trainee in Germany?
Ausbildung in Germany and Accommodation: How To Manage Living Expenses?
Best salaries after the Ausbildung in Germany
The salary after completing vocational training in Germany is undoubtedly higher than during the program. However, some particular professions earn the most on the market.
After completing your vocational training in Germany, you will be fully qualified and eligible to work in your profession and earn a solid amount of money.
The average starting salary after the Ausbildung in Germany is around 2,000 EUR, although it can be less or more; for instance, nurses start at 2,500 EUR, and young chefs in the kitchen at 1,600 EUR. The pay is growing with time and after obtaining further training.
Want to get a job in Germany? Start learning German today with the biggest online platform for languages – Lingoda.
Ausbildung in Germany: Age Limit
Air traffic controller
The same as with the salary during the Ausbildung in Germany, air traffic controller also wins in this category. The air traffic controller is thus the highest-paid job with Ausbildung in Germany as an educational background. The entry salary ranges between 6,000 and 8,000 EUR gross per month.
Bank clerk
The bank clerk is in the next position of best-paid occupations. The banker is one of the most popular apprenticeships in Germany, and its popularity is growing yearly. The job around the topic of finance attracts many applicants as well as a starting salary of 3,450 EUR gross per month.
Aircraft mechanic
Aircraft mechanics don’t have a wide range of companies to work for apart from companies that deal with planes. Nonetheless, their skills are in high demand and extremely valuable; for that reason, employers are ready to pay 3,100 EUR and more after the vocational training program.
Policeman
If you are interested in a career in the police, you can expect a solid salary for your service. The salary after vocational training is calculated depending on the job you take with the police.
In Germany, there are 3 possible career paths for police officers: medium, superior and higher service. For example, in mid-service, your salary as a police officer is 1,900 EUR per month; in high-level service, it is 3,300 EUR gross per month.
Biological technician
This occupation is new on our list and shouldn’t be ignored. If you are interested in biology and lab work, this is the right choice.
Biological technicians typically set up, maintain, and clean laboratory instruments and equipment, such as microscopes, scales, pipette, and test tubes, and collect and prepare biological samples, blood, food, and bacteria cultures, among others. The starting salary is up to 2,700 EUR gross per month.
Highest Paying Jobs in Germany Without a Degree
Nurse and senior caregiver
Nurses and senior caregivers get compensated quite well during their full-time job. As a medical assistant, you are responsible for the medical care of patients. The entry salary ranges from 2,100 to 2,640 EUR gross per month.
IT specialist
The job of an IT specialist is usually to be responsible for operating systems and networks in a company. The starting salary is between 2,200 and 2,400 EUR, depending on the industry they work in.
Specialist in mechatronics
Mechatronics engineering is another popular apprenticeship in Germany for someone interested in the metal and electrical industry. After the vocational training, you can find a job in the fields of mechanics, electronics, and computer science.
The entry-level salary starts at 2,000 EUR and ends at 2,900 EUR; the higher-end paycheck can be found in the mechatronics industry.
Electronics technician
Electronics engineers can work in many fields of industry and crafts, such as automation and operating technology. The job will be well-paid whichever discipline you choose.
The entry-level salary varies between 1,600 EUR and 2,000 EUR. With more professional experience, electronics technicians can get to 2,700 EUR per month in a great German company.
Below you can see the entire list of best-paid Ausbildung professions and average salaries:
- Dental Hygienists – 3,300 EUR
- Real Estate Agents – 3,000 EUR
- Nurse – 2,900 EUR
- Truck Driver – 2,500 EUR
- Air traffic controller – between 6,000 and 8,000 EUR
- Aircraft mechanic – 3,100 EUR
- Bank clerk – between 2,500 and 2,900 EUR
- Policeman – 3,300 EUR
- Ship mechanic – 2,700 EUR
- Biologielaborant – 2,700 EUR
- Senior caregiver – 2,640 EUR
- Mason – 2,400 EUR
- IT specialist – 2,400 EUR
- Investment fund manager – between 2,300 and 2,500 EUR
- A merchant insurance and Finance – 2,400 EUR
- Media technologist – 2,800 EUR
- Technical system planner and product designer – between 1,600 and 2,900 EUR
- Social Security Specialist – 2,000 and 2,500 EUR
- Physics laboratory technician – 2,200 EUR
- Mechatronic – between 2,000 and 2,900 EUR
- Administrative Specialist – 2,000 EUR
- Undertaker – between 1,900 and 2,200 EUR
- Electronics Technician – between 1,600 and 2,000 EUR
- Civil Servant (Bundesbank) – between 1,800 and 2,200 EUR
Choosing the best Ausbildung program
All Ausbildung in Germany has basic requirements, like age limit, salaries, and lengths. If the salary is the only financial support that you will receive during the apprenticeship in Germany, choosing the right profession is especially important.
Ausbildung, also known as vocational training or apprenticeship in Germany, is a profession-related education that leads you towards a certain job center.
Ausbildung in Germany: Can You Apply as a Non-EU Citizen?
The German training system offers you more than 340 dual training occupations. You can do vocational training in Germany in the various industries: in social, commercial, medical, commercial-technical, craft, graphic designer, and other fields.
Skilled workers are lacking in the German labor market: almost 58,000 training places remained unfilled in 2018. This is why trainees from other countries are more than welcome.
There is a high demand in particular industries, such as health care, construction, information technology, gastronomy, hospitality, sanitary, heating, and air conditioning technology, retail, as well as bakery and butcher trade.
Before choosing the professional path you want to go to in Germany, you must inform yourself about potential occupations, practical training period, salary ranges, and other formalities.
You will receive a salary throughout the entire training which strongly ranges between the professions; it also depends on the federal state and employer. However, most programs will pay just enough to cover your living expenses. In addition, many employers offer their trainees benefits, such as free transportation tickets, food, discounts.
The most common vocational programs are engineering/technician trainees and nurses. They also earn a good amount: 1,088 EUR gross on average.
Types of Ausbildung (Apprenticeship) in Germany: Guide
Dual (duale) and educational (schulische) Ausbildung
There are two primary forms of Ausbildung in Germany, dual and educational; they also differ in salaries. The first one is more common than the second. It’s possible to go from a secondary school to a German university depending on citizenship status.
Dual Ausbildung in Germany also provides students with a salary and a lot of hands-on practical experience when educational programs don’t always compensate participants and are more focused on the theoretical part.
Be aware that by choosing educational programs, you most probably won’t receive a salary, and the German embassy will need to see financial proof of 10,000 EUR for your visa.
For example, it’s typical for educational Ausbildung in Germany such as physiotherapists, educators, fitness trainers, and other educational and medical professions (nurses are the exception).
If you choose these training be prepared to finance your life on your own, Ausbildung in Germany is free itself.
Students of dual Ausbildung spend 3-4 days a week at work and 1-2 days in professional school. A block system is also possible when they visit a school for some months and some months spend at work.
Educational programs
They offer theoretical knowledge, but some include practical work in companies or organizations as well. If the chosen occupation includes practice, trainees will attend school and work in blocks, for example, 3 months of school and 2 months of training.
This allows them to fully focus on one activity at a time, whether it’s studies or work.
Some examples of dual Ausbildung will be salesperson, mechatronic technician, clerk, industrial clerk, etc. Occupations that logically should include more practice are usually dual and more theoretical once they are educational.
However, educational Ausbildung is also possible in fields like technology, foreign languages, health and fitness, design, etc.
Some examples of educational Ausbildung are all medical professions, including nurses, educators, speech therapists, physical therapists as well as machine operators, technical assistants for computer science, and others.
The only educational Ausbildung in Germany which are paid are nursing and senior caregiver.
Types of Ausbildung (Apprentenship) in Germany: Guide
Keep in mind that there are no or only a few Ausbildung programs teaching in English.
Ausbildung in Germany in English
Lowest paying Ausbildung programs
Besides knowing which programs paid the best, it’s vital to be informed about professions with the lowest salary. The jobs with the lowest salary after the Ausbildung in Germany include mainly activities in catering, hospitality, and other services.
- Cosmetologists: They earn only 1,818 EUR or 21,820 EUR annually.
- Hairdresser: Only 21,832 EUR annually lands in their banking account.
- Waitresses: On average, 22,628 EUR per year plus tipping, of course.
- Backers: They get 23,649 EUR per year.
- Dental assistants: They get paid only 23,763 EUR annually.
- Call center agent: 24,200 EUR per year for a full-time position.
- Receptionist: The average pay for this position is only 24,216 EUR.
- Chef/Cook: The average salary of an average chef in a typical restaurant or cafe is 24,540 EUR.
- Salesperson: The average annual salary in retail is 25,000 EUR.
Advantages of vocational training in Germany
Vocational training has some advantages over studies in Germany:
- Learn and practice at the same time – the program covers practical and theoretical parts, which helps trainees to have a broader understanding of the role and helps in their professional growth.
- Financial independence – individuals don’t have to depend on their parents for their living expenses or education. They earn enough to support themselves.
- Career opportunities – a straightforward way to get a job right after completing the training.
Highest Paying Jobs in Germany Without a Degree
Where to look for an Ausbildung in Germany?
According to the new German Immigration law, non-EU nationals can now come to Germany and look for an Ausbildung place on a Job Seeker visa. After they find the desirable program visa for vocational training can be obtained within Germany.
Originally the Job Seeker Visa was created for people exceptionally with a high degree, but from March 2020 also, professionals with a vocational training qualification can receive this visa. However, to apply, you must have at least a B1 level of German.
Another change was made in regulations, so you will also be allowed to work up to 10 hours per week while searching for an apprenticeship.
Ausbildung in Germany and Accommodation: How To Manage Living Expenses?
