German Salary Calculator
Find out exactly what lands in your bank account every month. Updated for 2026 tax rates.
Start the calculation here, then open the dedicated result page for the full take-home number, deduction breakdown, and printable PDF-style summary.
Browse by city
Each city page lists every job category with a direct calculator — city-specific Kirchensteuer rates included.
Berlin
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Munich
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Hamburg
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Frankfurt
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Cologne
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Stuttgart
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Düsseldorf
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Dortmund
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Essen
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Leipzig
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Dresden
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Nuremberg
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Hanover
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Bremen
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Mannheim
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Freiburg
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Augsburg
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Wiesbaden
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Bonn
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Karlsruhe
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Browse by job
See how much a specific role pays net across all 20 German cities.
What gets deducted from your German salary?
Income tax
Einkommensteuer
Progressive tax from 14% to 45% based on taxable income. Your Steuerklasse significantly affects this.
Health insurance
Krankenversicherung
Statutory health insurance (GKV) split between you and your employer. 14.6% base plus the insurer add-on rate.
Pension
Rentenversicherung
18.6% total, split equally. Your half funds the state pension system.
Unemployment
Arbeitslosenversicherung
2.6% total, split equally. Provides unemployment benefits (ALG I).
Care insurance
Pflegeversicherung
Covers long-term care. Higher rate (0.6% extra) if you have no children.
Solidarity surcharge
Solidaritätszuschlag
5.5% of income tax, only for higher earners (above ~€18k income tax annually).
Common questions about German salaries
How do I read my German payslip?
Your payslip (Gehaltsabrechnung) shows gross pay (Bruttogehalt) at the top. Below that are the deductions split into taxes (Steuern) and social security (Sozialabgaben). The bottom line is net pay (Nettogehalt) — the amount transferred to your account.
What is Steuerklasse and which one should I pick?
Steuerklasse (tax class) determines how much income tax is withheld monthly. Single expats typically start in Class I. Married couples choose between Class III/V (higher vs lower earner) or Class IV/IV (equal split). Class II applies to single parents.
What is the difference between GKV and PKV?
GKV (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is statutory health insurance, mandatory for employees earning below ~€73,800/year. PKV (private Krankenversicherung) is private health insurance, available by choice above that threshold. GKV premiums scale with income; PKV premiums are based on age and health.
How much is the average net salary in Germany in 2026?
The average gross salary in Germany in 2026 is approximately €4,400/month. After tax and social contributions (Steuerklasse I, GKV), that is around €2,800–2,950 net — depending on the state and health insurance add-on rate.
How accurate is this calculator?
Our calculator follows the official 2026 Lohnsteuer PAP (Programmablaufplan) published by the German Federal Ministry of Finance, including correct Beitragsbemessungsgrenzen for pension (€101,400/yr) and health insurance (€69,750/yr). It handles all six Steuerklassen, Kinderfreibeträge, GKV Zusatzbeiträge and PKV premiums.
Is there a free PDF I can download?
Yes. After calculating your salary, click 'See full salary result'. The results page has a free PDF download button that produces a printable breakdown — no account or payment needed.