What are the earnings in Germany? Check if you are in the middle class
How much do you need to earn to belong to the middle class in Germany? Check what the current income thresholds are and whether German salaries allow for a comfortable life.
What does “good salary” mean in Germany? The average net salary in this country is about 2 284 euros per monthbut the amount of earnings depends on the industry, place of residence and professional experience. Middle class lower threshold 1,496 euros per monthand high earnings start with 4,673 euro net.
What are the earnings of the middle class in Germany?
The amount recognized as average salary in Germany varies depending on the sources and methods of calculation. According to data Statista portal for 2023annual net income for a lonely person, without children, was 27 416 euroswhich gives a monthly net salary at the level 2,284 euros.
However, the real value of remuneration depends on the costs of living in a given region and market conditions in individual sectors of the economy. For many German residents, a “good salary” is one that allows not only to cover basic expenses, but also to save and implement life plans.
Income categories in Germany
The Institute of Economic Research in Cologne defines the division into income classes based on monthly net earnings:
- Lower middle class – From 1 121 to 1 495 euros
- Middle class – From 1 496 to 2,804 euros
- Higher earnings – From 2 805 to 4 673 euros
- Very high income – above 4 673 euros
People earning below 1,211 euros per month are included in the group O low incomewhile those who cross 4 673 eurosare in a group with relatively high income.
What is the situation compared to Poland?
According to OECD, in order to belong to the middle class, income should be from 75 to 200 percent median salary. In Germany it means net earnings from around 1,500 to 4,500 euros per monthwhile in Poland, according to the same methodology, it is 5 100 – 13 600 PLN gross monthly.
