Ausbildung Salary in Germany 2026: How Much Can You Earn?

If you're considering an Ausbildung in Germany, one of the biggest questions is:

How much will I earn during Ausbildung?

The answer depends on your profession, employer, industry, region and year of training. But one important advantage of a dual/company-based Ausbildung is that you receive a monthly training salary while learning your profession.

Ausbildung Minimum Salary in Germany 2026

Germany has a statutory minimum training allowance (Mindestausbildungsvergütung) for many dual vocational-training programmes.

For an Ausbildung beginning between 1 January and 31 December 2026, the statutory monthly minimum amounts are:

Training YearMinimum Gross Salary1st Year€724/month2nd Year€854/month3rd Year€977/month4th Year€1,014/month

These are gross amounts, meaning social-security contributions and, where applicable, taxes are deducted before the amount reaches your bank account.

These figures are minimum statutory amounts for relevant training contracts starting in 2026—not the salary every trainee receives.

Many Ausbildung positions pay considerably more.

Can You Earn More Than the Minimum?

Yes.

Your Ausbildung salary depends on several factors, including:

Your profession
Different Ausbildung occupations have different salary levels.

Your employer
Large companies and employers covered by collective agreements may offer higher training salaries.

Your location
Training remuneration can differ between regions.

Your industry
Healthcare, technical, industrial, commercial, hospitality and other sectors can have very different pay structures.

Your training year
Your remuneration normally increases as you progress through your Ausbildung.

Germany's Federal Employment Agency confirms that remuneration varies according to factors including the occupation, industry, region and whether the employer is covered by a collective agreement.

Your Salary Usually Increases Every Year

One attractive feature of Ausbildung is that you generally don't remain on the same training salary throughout the programme.

For example, the 2026 statutory minimum itself increases from:

€724 → €854 → €977 → €1,014

across the four training years.

Your actual contract may provide significantly higher amounts.

This is why you should always check the Ausbildungsvergütung stated in your training contract before accepting an offer.

Gross Salary vs Net Salary

This is particularly important for international applicants.

When an employer says:

“Your Ausbildung salary is €1,200 per month”

you need to check whether that figure is gross (brutto) or net (netto).

Gross Salary – Brutto

This is the amount before deductions.

Net Salary – Netto

This is approximately what remains after applicable deductions.

Ausbildung remuneration is normally quoted as a gross monthly amount, and social-security contributions are deducted.

Therefore, don't calculate your living budget assuming that the gross figure in your contract is exactly what you will receive in your bank account.

Does Every Ausbildung Pay a Salary?

No. This is where the distinction between dual/company-based and school-based Ausbildung becomes important.

Dual or Company-Based Ausbildung

You work with a company while also attending vocational school.

You normally receive a monthly Ausbildungsvergütung from the company.

School-Based Ausbildung

You primarily study at a vocational school.

School-based training is generally not remunerated in the same way, although there are important exceptions, including certain healthcare professions such as nursing.

Always check the exact structure of the programme you're applying for.

Is €724 the Normal Ausbildung Salary?

No.

This is an important distinction.

€724 is the statutory first-year minimum for many relevant Ausbildung contracts starting in 2026. It should not be presented as the normal salary for every trainee.

Many employers pay above the statutory minimum.

For comparison, BIBB reported that trainees in tariff-bound companies received an average of €1,133 gross per month across all training years in 2024. That historical figure isn't a promise of what a 2026 applicant will earn, but it demonstrates why the statutory minimum should not be confused with a typical salary.

Your actual salary must be checked for the specific profession and employer.

Can Ausbildung Salary Replace a Blocked Account?

This is particularly important for international applicants.

For a company-based Ausbildung, your training salary can count toward the financial means required for your vocational-training residence permit.

However, the statutory minimum Ausbildung salary and the immigration financial requirement are not the same thing.

An Ausbildung contract can therefore meet Germany's training-pay rules while the salary is still insufficient by itself for the visa's financial requirement.

If there's a shortfall, additional financial proof may be required.

We explain this separately in our guide:

Does Ausbildung in Germany Require a Blocked Account in 2026?

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What Do You Receive Besides Salary?

Ausbildung is valuable because you're not simply earning money.

During a dual Ausbildung, you're simultaneously building:

✓ Practical professional experience

✓ Vocational-school education

✓ A recognised professional qualification

✓ German workplace experience

✓ Profession-specific knowledge

✓ German-language experience

✓ Professional contacts

✓ Potential employment opportunities after graduation

The programme generally lasts around two to three-and-a-half years, depending on the profession, and ends with a final examination.

Don't Choose an Ausbildung Only Because of Salary

Salary matters, especially when you're moving to another country.

But the highest-paying Ausbildung isn't automatically the best Ausbildung for you.

Consider:

Your previous education
Your interests and experience
Your German level
Long-term job opportunities
Whether you can realistically complete the training
Career development after graduation
Living costs in the city where you'll train

An Ausbildung that matches your abilities and career plans can be much more valuable than choosing a profession only because its first-year salary is slightly higher.

German Language Is Part of Your Career Preparation

Remember that Ausbildung isn't simply a job.

You'll attend vocational school and learn professional content in German.

Your German therefore needs to work in real life, not only on a language certificate.

If you're unsure whether you should prepare to B1 or B2, read our guide:

B1 or B2 German for Ausbildung in Germany?

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Ausbildung in Germany: Earn While You Learn

For international applicants, Ausbildung offers an interesting combination:

Learn a Profession

Gain theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Receive Monthly Remuneration

Company-based trainees receive an Ausbildung salary.

Gain German Work Experience

You're learning inside an actual professional environment.

Earn a Recognised Qualification

Successful completion leads to a German vocational qualification.

Build Your Future Career

After Ausbildung, qualified employment can open further career and residence opportunities if the applicable requirements are met.

Planning an Ausbildung in Germany?

Choosing an Ausbildung shouldn't start with salary alone.

You should evaluate your:

Education + German level + professional interests + eligibility + financial situation + career goals

before deciding which field to pursue.

Explore our Ausbildung in Germany page to learn about available fields, eligibility, language requirements, benefits and career pathways.

You can also get your profile evaluated by SWAB Consultants to better understand which pathways may suit your background.

Salary, visa and residence requirements vary according to the individual training programme, employer and applicant circumstances. Always verify the conditions of your specific Ausbildung contract.