Stepping up to an €100,000 income: Charting Your Course to a Six-Figure Salary
In the competitive job market of Germany, the pursuit of a six-figure salary is a common goal for many professionals. A recent study by Stepstone Salary Report 2025 sheds light on the industries and professions that offer the best prospects for achieving this milestone.
Alexandra Ilina, a journalist at VDI Verlag, delves into the topic of careers and technology, highlighting the fields of study with the best earning prospects. Medical professions, economics/business administration, engineering, computer science, and law with a focus on patent law are identified as the fields that can lead to a salary of 100,000 euros and above.
For engineers, the path to a six-figure salary is marked by several key factors.
Experience Level plays a significant role. Entry-level engineers can expect to earn between €40,000-€50,000 annually, while mid-level (2-5 years) salaries rise to around €57,000. Senior-level (5+ years) roles can earn €70,000 to €95,000 or more, depending on the field.
Field of Specialization is another crucial factor. Specializations like software engineering, machine learning, and senior technical roles have higher salary ceilings, with senior roles reaching up to €95,000 annually or beyond. Mechanical and industrial engineers typically reach six figures at senior levels or with 10+ years experience.
Location and Company also play a role in determining salary. Larger companies and tech hubs tend to offer better compensation. Engineers can increase their chances of earning a six-figure salary by specializing in high-demand fields, working in well-paying cities or industries such as IT, automotive, or advanced manufacturing.
Skills and Continued Learning are essential for career growth. Professionals who learn German language and adapt to cultural expectations enhance their employability and salary potential. Engaging in career development and training also contributes to higher pay.
Industry Trends also influence salaries. Growing sectors like automotive, IT, renewable energy, and automation drive demand, offering higher salaries for skilled engineers.
In smaller companies with fewer than 50 employees, only around 2% of employees earn a six-figure salary. However, in large companies with more than 5,000 employees, approximately 13% of employees earn a six-figure salary.
The East-West wage gap persists, with Hamburg and Hesse having the highest proportion of top earners, and Saxony-Anhalt having the lowest. Electrical Engineering and Electronics job groups have a significant number of six-figure incomes.
Dr. Tobias Zimmermann, a renowned expert, predicts that highly qualified specialists and managers, especially in engineering, will become increasingly important in the future due to the age of artificial intelligence.
Professions like chief physicians, senior physicians, vice presidents, board members, directors, patent attorneys, Head of Supply Chain, Senior Manager, Enterprise Architect, and Head of IT are also well-paid, with median salaries reaching up to 188,500 euros.
In summary, engineers in Germany typically attain six-figure salaries by gaining substantial experience, focusing on in-demand specializations, working in strong industries or locations, and investing in career growth and language skills. With the right mix of education, experience, strategic networking, and continuous learning, achieving a six-figure salary is achievable.
- Achieving a six-figure salary in Germany requires professionals to focus on fields with promising earning prospects, such as medical professions, economics/business administration, engineering, computer science, and law with a focus on patent law.
- In the engineering sector, experience level, field of specialization, location, company, skills, continued learning, and industry trends significantly impact the potential for a six-figure salary.
- Skills training and career development, along with learning the German language and adapting to cultural expectations, can enhance employability and salary potential for engineers.
- Specializations like software engineering, machine learning, and senior technical roles in engineering often have higher salary ceilings, with senior roles potentially reaching €95,000 annually or beyond.
- Engineers working for larger companies in tech hubs can increase their chances of earning a six-figure salary, as such companies typically offer better compensation.
- Job fields like chief physicians, senior physicians, vice presidents, board members, directors, patent attorneys, Head of Supply Chain, Senior Manager, Enterprise Architect, and Head of IT also provide high salaries, with median salaries reaching up to 188,500 euros.
- Small businesses have a limited number of employees earning a six-figure salary, with around 2% of employees reaching this mark, in contrast to large companies where up to 13% of employees achieve this milestone.
