A 16 — Salary Across German States

Saxony leads at €9,260 at the top step, while Schleswig-Holstein is lowest at €8,452 — a spread of €807 per month for the same grade.

Since the 2006 federalism reform, each state (and the federal government) sets civil-servant pay independently. Pay rounds, adjustment acts, and special payments therefore differ.

Averaged over all 16 states and the federal level, the top step is around €8,819 gross per month.

The gross spread largely carries over to net, since civil servants pay no social contributions. For the exact figure including the PKV premium, use the salary calculator.

On base salary alone, tens of thousands of euros difference are possible over a career. When switching between states, experience steps are not always fully recognised — check your step assignment.