Entry (gross)
€4,480
Step 2
Top step (gross)
€5,739
Step 10
Net top step
€4,238
estimated, before PHI
State rank
9 / 17
by top step gross
A 12 salary progression in North Rhine-Westphalia
Step 2: Gross €4,480, Net €3,471. Step 3: Gross €4,676, Net €3,593. Step 4: Gross €4,872, Net €3,714. Step 5: Gross €5,072, Net €3,835. Step 6: Gross €5,205, Net €3,915. Step 7: Gross €5,339, Net €3,995. Step 8: Gross €5,472, Net €4,073. Step 9: Gross €5,606, Net €4,151. Step 10: Gross €5,739, Net €4,238
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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 €5,739. Net (estimated) €4,238 (73.8%). Income tax €1,501 (26.2%).
Gross: €5,739
Net (estimated)Income tax
Step explorer
Drag the slider to see gross and estimated net for each experience step.
€5,739
Gross / month
€4,238
Net (estimated)
Step 2Step 10
A 12 salary table North Rhine-Westphalia
| Step | Base salary (gross) | Net (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Step 2 | €4,480 | €3,471 |
| Step 3 | €4,676 | €3,593 |
| Step 4 | €4,872 | €3,714 |
| Step 5 | €5,072 | €3,835 |
| Step 6 | €5,205 | €3,915 |
| Step 7 | €5,339 | €3,995 |
| Step 8 | €5,472 | €4,073 |
| Step 9 | €5,606 | €4,151 |
| Step 10 | €5,739 | €4,238 |
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
€5,739
no supplement
Married
€5,905
+ €166
+ 1 child
€6,073
+ €334
+ 2 children
€6,242
+ €502
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 €4,238 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 North Rhine-Westphalia 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 North Rhine-Westphalia?
The base salary ranges from €4,480 (step 2) to €5,739 (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 €4,238 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. North Rhine-Westphalia ranks 9 of 17 — €418 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 North Rhine-Westphalia, A 12 has 9 steps; from entry to the top step the base salary grows by €1,259.
What does the Familienzuschlag add?
Married civil servants receive €166 extra per month, rising to €502 with two children. At the top step this lifts gross pay to as much as €6,242.
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 North Rhine-Westphalia.
Open the salary calculator