Entry (gross)
€4,425
Step 3
Top step (gross)
€5,708
Step 11
Net top step
€4,220
estimated, before PHI
State rank
12 / 17
by top step gross
A 12 salary progression in Lower Saxony
Step 3: Gross €4,425, Net €3,436. Step 4: Gross €4,627, Net €3,563. Step 5: Gross €4,830, Net €3,688. Step 6: Gross €5,033, Net €3,812. Step 7: Gross €5,168, Net €3,893. Step 8: Gross €5,303, Net €3,973. Step 9: Gross €5,438, Net €4,053. Step 10: Gross €5,573, Net €4,132. Step 11: Gross €5,708, Net €4,220
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A 12 top step across states
Federal (Bund): Top step gross €6,157. Saxony: Top step gross €6,103. Hesse: Top step gross €5,931. Baden-Wurttemberg: Top step gross €5,900. Berlin: Top step gross €5,799. Thuringia: Top step gross €5,795. Rhineland-Palatinate: Top step gross €5,794. Brandenburg: Top step gross €5,785. North Rhine-Westphalia: Top step gross €5,739. Bavaria: Top step gross €5,727. Saxony-Anhalt: Top step gross €5,722. Lower Saxony: Top step gross €5,708. Hamburg: Top step gross €5,688. Bremen: Top step gross €5,654. Saarland: Top step gross €5,622. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Top step gross €5,564. Schleswig-Holstein: Top step gross €5,537
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Gross-to-net at the top step
Gross €5,708. Net (estimated) €4,220 (73.9%). Income tax €1,488 (26.1%).
Gross: €5,708
Net (estimated)Income tax
Step explorer
Drag the slider to see gross and estimated net for each experience step.
€5,708
Gross / month
€4,220
Net (estimated)
Step 3Step 11
A 12 salary table Lower Saxony
| Step | Base salary (gross) | Net (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Step 3 | €4,425 | €3,436 |
| Step 4 | €4,627 | €3,563 |
| Step 5 | €4,830 | €3,688 |
| Step 6 | €5,033 | €3,812 |
| Step 7 | €5,168 | €3,893 |
| Step 8 | €5,303 | €3,973 |
| Step 9 | €5,438 | €4,053 |
| Step 10 | €5,573 | €4,132 |
| Step 11 | €5,708 | €4,220 |
As of 2026 (01.04.2026 – 28.02.2027). Net is estimated (tax class I, no church tax, before private health insurance).
Family supplement (top step)
Single
€5,708
no supplement
Married
€5,870
+ €162
+ 1 child
€6,170
+ €461
+ 2 children
€6,311
+ €603
How the net pay is derived
Civil servants pay no contributions to statutory pension, unemployment, health, or long-term care insurance. So essentially only income tax (and possibly the solidarity surcharge) is deducted from gross pay. For A 12 at the top step this gives an estimated €4,220 net at tax class I.
Instead of statutory health insurance, civil servants are privately insured (PKV). The employer covers part of the cost via Beihilfe — in Lower Saxony under the standard regime. The individual PKV premium is not deducted here; use the calculator for that.
A 12 in other states
Other grades & comparison
Related planning tools
Frequently asked questions
How much does a A 12 civil servant earn in Lower Saxony?
The base salary ranges from €4,425 (step 3) to €5,708 (top step) gross per month (2026 (01.04.2026 – 28.02.2027)). Familienzuschlag and allowances are added on top.
How much of that is net pay?
At the top step roughly €4,220 net remains (tax class I, before private health insurance). Civil servants pay no social insurance, but they do pay income tax plus a private health insurance premium that is partly reimbursed via Beihilfe.
Where do you earn the most with A 12?
Federal (Bund) currently pays the most at €6,157 at the top step. Lower Saxony ranks 12 of 17 — €449 below the leader.
How do step advancements work?
Experience steps rise automatically with years of service — first after 2 years, later after 3 and 4 years. In Lower Saxony, A 12 has 9 steps; from entry to the top step the base salary grows by €1,284.
What does the Familienzuschlag add?
Married civil servants receive €162 extra per month, rising to €603 with two children. At the top step this lifts gross pay to as much as €6,311.
Sources & data status
- Salary table: 2026 (01.04.2026 – 28.02.2027) — state salary act / BBesG.
- beamtenbesoldung.org, DGB Besoldung.
- Income tax: § 32a EStG (2026). Compiled: June 2026.
Calculate your exact net pay
Including PKV premium, Beihilfe, and your step for A 12 in Lower Saxony.
Open the salary calculator