Due to the focus of the German industry, mechanical engineers are always needed in the country. They can work in areas where construction is involved, such as automotive, shipbuilding, and manufacturing sectors. An engineer is a highly paid profession in Germany, and mechanical engineering is one of the paid occupations in the field.
The average salary of a mechanical engineer in Germany is 49,600 EUR gross per year. The starting salary is 46,391 EUR gross with a Bachelor’s degree and 48,749 EUR with a Master’s degree.
Mechanical engineering is the most popular engineering type in Germany. Both locals and foreigners by far prefer to study this subject, and not without reason. There are many jobs available on the market, and salary is above the average. Read this article to know more about the salary of mechanical engineers in Germany and what to expect from this job.
Salary of Mechanical Engineer in Germany
Mechanical engineers in Germany are considered to be one of the best-paid engineers in the country. As a mechanical engineer, your starting salary after Bachelor’s program without work experience is 46,391 EUR, and 48,749 EUR with a Master’s degree.
However, if you are looking to study in Germany, keep in mind that mechanical engineering is a very popular major in Germany. Therefore, one should expect competition for a spot at university.
One-third of all engineering graduates in Germany are mechanical. Completing the master’s program will be beneficial since your entry salary will increase instantly.
The average salary of a mechanical engineer ranges between 46,800 EUR and 48,200 EUR annually, with a median of 47,500 EUR. The wages in Germany depend on many factors. The range can be even bigger; we will discuss it later.
The highest salary can be achieved in the vehicle construction industry. No surprise that automotive corporations like BMW, Volkswagen, and Daimler pay their employees up to 80,000 EUR per year, of course, with appropriate professional experience.
If you come fresh from the university as a career entry, your academic degree determines the amount of your mechanical engineering entry salary.
- Mechanical engineer with Bachelor of Engineering: 46,391 EUR
- Mechanical engineer with Master of Engineering: 48,749 EUR
Other Factors which influence Salary of Mechanical Engineers
Every profession has some factors which impact the future salary of the employee. Especially for engineers, things like experience, educational background, industry, and others are highly relevant.
Profesional experience
Influence factor number one on your mechanical engineer salary remains your professional experience. The longer you are in the field, the more you get.
The following table shows how your work experience impacts your annual salary:
| PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE | MECHANICAL ENGINEER SALARY |
| Up to 2 years | 49,605 EUR |
| 3-5 years | 51,600 EUR |
| 6-10 years | 54,209 EUR |
| More than 10 years | 64,543 EUR |
Industry
Mechanical engineers are required in many different parts of the German economy, and not all of them pay the same. Your mechanical engineering salary depends on the products you manufacture and develop.
For example, if you design components for expensive German cars, you earn a different wage than in the mechanical engineering of the food industry. Here are the five top industries:
- Automotive
- Vehicles: aerospace, trains
- Electronics
- Industrial engineering
By far, the best paid is the automotive industry, with salaries up to 80k.
Company size
Not only an industry plays a role in the salary of mechanical engineers but also a company size! So large corporations always offer higher paychecks to their employees. In Germany following rule is applicable: the bigger the company, the higher your income.
If the company is working internationally, your earnings look even better. For example, a mechanical engineer in manufacturing technology or construction at a globally operating company will earn around 15,000 EUR more per year than in some small businesses.
As you can see, in a company with over 20,000 employees, mechanical engineers earn on average 77,590 EUR annually, with 1,001 – 20,000 employees – 66,133 EUR, with 101 – 1,000 employees – 59,950 EUR, and with under 100 employees just 51,744 EUR.
Region
Regionality plays a significant role in salaries in Germany. People earn more in the west and south, especially in the industrial companies in Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.
The mechanical engineers should expect the highest paycheck in the state of Hessen (66,008 EUR), Bavaria (62,416 EUR), and Baden-Württemberg (64,390 EUR).
Working as a Mechanical Engineer in Germany
Mechanical engineers are needed in different parts of the German industry, including automotive, ship construction, aerospace, electrical, and others. What to expect when working as a mechanical engineer in Germany?
As a mechanical engineer, you are responsible for the development, design, and production of machines and devices of all kinds. There are many various areas in which you can specialize, for example, technical mechanics, automotive technology, and electronic technology.
The core areas for mechanical engineering are design and manufacturing. You have the choice of your area of expertise between the large areas of materials technology, design, conception, calculation, production, planning, implementation, production, and maintenance.
What will be your tasks as a mechanical engineer in Germany?
Your tasks and activities can range depending on the industry and produced product. The classic areas of responsibility pursued by mechanical engineers are:
- Project planning
- Development and conception of an idea
- Research
- Construction
- Installation and maintenance of systems
- Vehicle construction
- Sale
- Marketing
- Consulting
- Technical expertise
- Technical management
Traditionally mechanical engineers construct things, which involve not just machines, but range from individual mechanical, mechatronic, and electronic devices to complex production plants.
Everything is conceivable, from a simple hairdryer to a robotics production line to a marine engine. As a mechanical engineer, you take care of the development, design, or production of the device or manufacturing plant. In some companies, you will be responsible for all three levels at the same time.
Building and construction of machines
You work on the idea, design, construction, optimization, research, development, and production of a machine. Depending on the position, you may also be involved in the sales, service, or marketing of this item.
In most cases, the process of building a machine is as follows: you conduct a design concept in which you specify the individual components and materials, calculate all potential costs for the production, and describe the operation exactly.
As a next step, you will finish the first prototype to check whether the concept can be implemented as you imagined it or not. Only as the last step can you, together with your colleagues, start the final production of the device or machine.
Further development and optimization of existing machines
The further development and optimization of existing devices are also part of your tasks as a mechanical engineer. Your future employer may already have decades-old printing machines or filling systems that need to be maintained on the one hand and adapted to innovations and new technologies on the other.
Which technologies do mechanical engineers build in Germany?
General mechanical engineers without specialization can construct and maintain different machines; the most common in Germany are:
- Vehicles such as cars, planes, ships, trains
- Production machines for factories
- Mechatronics and electronics: gadgets, computer technologies, microsystems
- Environmental technics
As well as some smaller industries: printing and packaging technology, surface technology, ship technology, transport, and traffic.
Most used technologies by mechanical engineer
In Germany, mechanical engineers work on some particular technologies that include a wide range of optics, robotics, microsystems, measurement and control techniques, CAD (computer-aided design), Fem (finite element method), and CFD (computer fluid dynamics).
Nicholas
Recent Posts
7 Best International Moving Companies in 2023
As the number of individuals relocating over long distances continues to increase, it is essential to have a trustworthy international moving company by your side. With the expert help of...
Continue Reading
9 of the Best German Beers for 2023
9 of the Best German Beers for 2023The German beer culture is deeply rooted, with the country producing some of the best brands and beer styles in the world. The keen and closely monitored...
Continue Reading
FAQs
What Is the Salary of a Mechanical Engineer in Germany? | expatrist.com? ›
Germany offers a competitive pay for eligible mechanical engineers. After graduating, the average salary of mechanical engineer in Germany is expected to stay between 45,000 and 50,000 Euros per year.
What is the salary of a mechanical engineer in Germany? ›The average salary a mechanical engineer can earn here is EUR 57,430 (INR 48.8 Lakh) on a yearly basis. This can also be anywhere between EUR 25,000-EUR 100,000 (INR 21.3 Lakh-INR 85 Lakh) per year.
What is a good salary in Germany for an engineer? ›Mid-level: The total pay of a mid-level software engineer having an experience of 4 to 9 years is €67,650 per year. The average salary of these engineers will be €64,000 per year and get an additional pay of €3,650 per year. Senior Level: The senior software engineer salary in Germany is €75,000 per year.
How much is paid an engineer in Germany? ›The average salary for Support Engineer in Germany is 50.700 EUR per year, while the median salary is 45.000 EUR per year.
Can a mechanical engineer make 300K a year? ›Yes, engineers can make $300K.
However, the only engineers who earn that much money have worked their way up the corporate ladder. In many companies, for instance, the only way to reach a salary of $300K is by becoming a vice president (VP) or a senior vice president (SVP).
Germany is known for its high-quality standards across many industries, including mechanical engineering.
Which country pays best for mechanical engineers? ›Germany is also considered to be the best country for mechanical engineering jobs by some experts.
What is the average income in Germany in US dollars? ›| Rank | Country | Avg. income per year |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Austria | 52,760 $ |
| 18 | Germany | 51,660 $ |
| 19 | Belgium | 50,490 $ |
| 20 | Israel | 49,290 $ |
IW also notes the net monthly salary that would place a single German earner in the top five and top one percent, which would be €4,560 and €7,190 respectively.
How much salary is enough in Germany? ›According to Statista, in 2021, the average gross annual salary in Germany was 47.700 euros a year, or 3.975 euros a month. The numbers above are for all of Germany. However, the average gross salary will depend greatly on your location, professional experience, education, size of the company, and gender.
Who gets high salary in Germany? ›
Doctors are the highest-paid group in Germany
In Germany, doctors were the highest-paid profession in 2022. That is according to the annual salary report conducted by the recruitment platform Stepstone, which considered wage data from 561.761 jobs from January 2021 to November 2022.
- Canada. Canada is one of the countries that are ahead of others in terms of infrastructure and access to natural resources. ...
- New Zealand. New Zealand is one of the lucrative countries where engineers thrive well. ...
- Switzerland. ...
- Germany. ...
- England. ...
- Australia. ...
- Japan. ...
- China.
Average salary: €80,000 to €120,000 per year. There are a lot of employment opportunities in Germany's financial and banking sectors, including the European Central Bank and Deutsche Bank. One of the highest-paying jobs is portfolio management.
What is the highest 10% pay for a mechanical engineer? ›| Percentile | 10% | 25% |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $ 29.80 | $ 37.01 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $ 61,990 | $ 76,980 |
- Earn an engineering master's degree.
- Combine an engineering degree with a master's in management.
- Get a Professional Engineer's license.
- Volunteer for special projects at work.
- Specialize in a high-growth industry.
- Locate in a high-paying state.
- Negotiate a raise.
Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a mechanical engineer. The chances of earning over $100k for a mechanical engineer are actually pretty good because the highest-paid mechanical engineer positions typically pay at least $101,000 per year.
Is German degree valid in USA? ›Some of the German universities are highly ranked universities in the world and when you get a degree from these universities, there is no room left for being invalid. Are European degrees recognized in the USA? A European degree is recognized in the US, but you have to multiply it by 9/5 and then add 32.
Which country is best for mechanical engineering USA or Germany? ›Engineers employability after graduation
If you're interested in getting a job as soon as you finish your Bachelor's degree, then Germany is a good place to study, as you will likely find a workplace as your diploma is being printed, thanks to the high demand for engineers in Europe.
Ans. The best cities in Germany that offer job opportunities after mechanical engineering courses are Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich.
Is USA good for mechanical engineers? ›The scope of mechanical engineering in USA is quite extensive. Therefore, Jobs for mechanical engineers in USA are available across a wide range of fields. According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the top industries employing the maximum mechanical engineers are: Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services.
Which mechanical job has highest salary? ›
- Automation engineer. National average salary: $90,024 per year.
- Research and development engineer. National average salary: $92,781 per year.
- Senior mechanical engineer. National average salary: $99,376 per year.
- Senior design engineer.
- Powertrain engineer.
- Instrumentation engineer.
Mechanical engineering can net you a comfortable salary and living. While the average wage is not as high as other engineering occupations, such as nuclear engineers and aerospace engineers, it is higher than other engineering jobs like agricultural engineers and biomedical engineers.
Is Germany cheaper than USA? ›Living costs
Germany is generally cheaper than the USA. However, living in big cities, such as Munich and Hamburg, can be expensive. In general, you'll need around €850 per month to cover your expenses in Germany. This amount includes groceries, health insurance, rent, and other related costs.
In general, the average monthly expenses in Germany can add up to €1,698 for a single person or €3,561 for a family of 4. However, these averages can vary depending on where you live, as rental prices are higher in cities popular among expats. For instance, the average rent in Germany is €800 per month.
How much is rent in Germany in US dollars? ›Housing Costs in Germany
A one-bedroom apartment in the city center of the Bavarian capital ranges from USD$1,227-$1,500, while a three-bedroom rents for USD$2,201-$2,690.
The general cost of living and standards of living in Germany. According to the Federal Statistics Office, households spend an average of €2,623 per month, allocating €966 to housing, energy, and maintenance. In addition, most Germans spend around €402 on groceries, €322 on transport, and €255 on leisure per month.
Are salaries in US higher than Germany? ›In general, wages in the United States tend to be higher than those in Europe, particularly for skilled and high-paying jobs. Part of the reason for this is that the cost of living in the U.S. is usually higher than in Europe.
How much is tax in Germany? ›| Income | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Less than 9.984 euros | 0% |
| 9.985 - 58.596 euros | 14% to 42% |
| 58.597 - 277.825 euros | 42% |
| More than 277.826 euros | 45% |
The OECD average tax wedge in 2021 was 34.6% (2020, 34.6%). In 2021, Germany had the 2nd highest tax wedge among the 38 OECD member countries, occupying the same position in 2020.
What is the middle class income in Germany? ›Reading note for Panel B: A single person in Germany with an annual disposable income between USD 23 000 and USD 30 000 is considered to be part of the lower middle-income group; a person with a disposable income between USD 46 000 and USD 61 000 is part of the upper middle-income group.
Is Health Care Free in Germany? ›
Yes, all Germans and legal residents of Germany are entitled to free “medically necessary” public healthcare, which is funded by social security contributions. However, citizens must still have either state or private health insurance, covering at least hospital and outpatient medical treatment and pregnancy.
Which city in Germany pays the most? ›Munich - top 5 liveable cities in the world
The cost of living is significantly higher than in other German cities. However, for qualified employees that command expertise in their field, Munich offers an astonishingly high salary. The average salary is also reasonably well above the living costs.
Germany has a low unemployment rate, while average salaries between €76,000-103,000 (INR 64.82-87.86 lakh) are expected for Master's graduates in high-paying positions. International students working part-time while doing their Master's in Germany can earn up to €450 (INR 38,385) per month without paying taxes.
Are mechanical engineers in high demand? ›At least not if you are looking for a job. Nor will it be favorable in the foreseeable future. The BLS tells us that the average growth rate inclusive of all occupations sits at 5 percent. However, when you zoom in on mechanical engineering, they predict just a 2 percent growth rate through 2031.
Is Germany a good place for engineering? ›Engineering is a popular field and many of the top universities that offer good engineering programmes are based in Germany.
Which is the richest engineering job in the world? ›Petroleum Engineer tops our list of the highest paying engineering jobs. The primary responsibility of petroleum engineers is to design and develop ways to extract natural resources oil and gas from Earth. They work in offices or at excavation sites.
What is normal salary in German? ›Salary in Germany
Data provided by the Official Statistical Office of Germany, Destatis, show that in 2022, the monthly gross average salary for a full-time employee was around €4,100 – an annual gross salary of €49,200.
For single people, earning 4.560 euros would put them in Germany's top 5 percent, and earning 7.190 would set them within the country's richest 1 percent.
Is Germany good country to live? ›Global Peace Index ranks 163 countries based on their overall level of peacefulness; Germany was ranked 16th in 2022. The crime rate is low, and Germans place a high value on law and order. Some areas are always more dangerous than others, but Germany is generally a very safe place.
What engineers make 300k a year? ›- Founding Software Engineer. ...
- Sr Data Engineer - $120k-$300k (Python, ML Pipelines) ...
- Project Executive - (Cold Storage/Food Processing/Industrial) ...
- VP of Engineering. ...
- AI Research Engineer. ...
- Inference Service Engineering Manager. ...
- Software Engineer - Trust & Safety.
Do mechanical engineers make 200k? ›
Absolutely. In fact, I'd say that it's impossible for one not to unless they meet a very untimely demise. Indeed, it's even possible for a mechanical engineer to earn that much annually.
Can engineers make 500k a year? ›This is true, yes. In fact, such compensation* (when accounting for salary + bonus + equity) is not uncommon among staff level engineers at some of the most reputable companies in Silicon Valley.
Can you make a million dollars as an engineer? ›Yes, a software engineer can become a millionaire.
While compensation varies based on experience, some software engineers can earn nearly one million annually. The average salary for a software engineer in 2022 was $118,000 per year. The keys to earning huge salaries depend on time and place.
Entry Mechanical Engineer Salary. $48,500 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $83,000 is the 75th percentile.
Which country has highest demand for mechanical engineers? ›- Canada. Canada is an infrastructurally sound country with an advanced economy and vast access to natural resources, such as gas and lumber. ...
- New Zealand. ...
- Switzerland. ...
- Germany. ...
- England. ...
- India. ...
- Japan. ...
- China.
The petroleum engineer is paid an average annual salary of $137,170, probably the highest paid type of engineer or mechanical engineer in the world!
Is mechanical engineering worth the pay? ›Is mechanical engineering a good career? Yes. A mechanical engineering degree can lead to careers in many fields, including manufacturing and aerospace. These careers provide strong annual salaries.
Is 70000 euros a good salary in Germany? ›A good annual gross salary in Germany is between €64,000 to €81,000. But most Germans who earn a yearly gross salary of €60,000 and above are happy with their salary.
Is 60000 euros a good salary in Germany? ›Is 60.000 Euros A Good Salary In Germany? 60.000 euros a year in Germany is considered a good gross salary as it is well above the average salary of 47.700 euros a year for the whole country. Most Germans who earn 60.000 euros or more are very happy with their salary.
Which engineering is highest paid in Germany? ›Engineers in Germany can expect high salaries due to the high demand for skilled workers. Top engineering specialties include electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and chemical engineering. The national average salary for an Engineer is €63,000 annually.
Are mechanical engineers in demand in Germany? ›
Germany is the home of top automotive OEM's including Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, BMW and Mercedes Benz. As many dream companies are located in the desired destination, Germany becomes more attractive among mechanical engineers for pursuing higher studies. The economy of Germany greatly depends on the mechanical sector.
What salary in Germany puts you in top 10%? ›In its most recent figures from December 2021, the Institute for German Economy (IW) found that a single person earning €3,700 a month after taxes qualifies as rich, as that puts them in the top ten percent of earners in the country.
Which engineer is in demand in Germany? ›| S. No | Designation | Active No of Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Full Stack Engineer/Developer | 480 |
| 2 | Front End Engineer/Developer | 450 |
| 3 | Business analyst, product owner | 338 |
| 4 | Cyber Security Analyst, Cyber security engineer, cyber security specialist | 300 |
Doctors are the highest-paid group in Germany
In Germany, doctors were the highest-paid profession in 2022. That is according to the annual salary report conducted by the recruitment platform Stepstone, which considered wage data from 561.761 jobs from January 2021 to November 2022.
Ans. The best cities in Germany that offer job opportunities after mechanical engineering courses are Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich.
Do you need to speak German to work as an engineer in Germany? ›Tip. Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory to work as an engineer in Germany. However, speaking German will make your entry into the labour market and your day-to-day life in Germany easier. You can find more information on learning opportunities in the "Learning German" section.