The German economy, despite the country's relatively smaller size, stands at number five in the world when it comes to its annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP)! As the graduate unemployment rate here is just 2.3% while 2.8% is for people over the age of 25. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that many students within and abroad look for the highest paying jobs in Germany. The highest exporting country in Europe, Germans embrace innovation and creativity at a level higher than most, which makes high paying jobs in Germany for international students so enticing.
Top Industries with Highest Paid Jobs in Germany
Germany's job market offers many high salary jobs, great opportunities, and attracts professionals from around the world. Understanding the various industries is very crucial if you are looking for job opportunities in Germany. So, here is the table showcasing an overview of high salary jobs in Germany:
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Germany
Germany is a hub for international talent, attracting over 340,000 international students annually. It offers a robust job market with over 1.3 million job openings every year. Germany is indeed an attractive destination for job seekers as it has the fourth-largest economy in the world. If you're looking for high paying jobs in Germany, then we are here to guide you. Here, we've compiled a list of the highest salary jobs in Germany:
1. Pilot
Average Salary: $70,000 - $120,000
Qualifications: Graduation from flight school/aviation-related college program/airline cadet pilot program
Growth Rate: 6% in the next ten years
Pilots are responsible for manoeuvring and flying commercial/military aeroplanes and helicopters. If you believe soaring through the skies and travelling at breakneck speed is right up your alley, becoming a pilot in Germany is definitely the way to go. Fly for popular and reputed German airlines such as Lufthansa, easyJet, AIR HAMBURG, and Condor, offering $89,724 to $1,34,036.
2. Doctor
Average Salary: $60,000 - $90,000
Qualifications: Medical degree at a German university, pass the Approbation exam, fluency in German and English.
Growth Rate: 6.9% YoY
Like most nations, the medical field is highly reputed and, of course, yields some of the highest paying jobs in Germany. Germany offers the perfect combination of great work-life balance and top-notch medical education for students. Additionally, graduates can expect excellent job opportunities immediately after completing their studies. A few recruiters offering the highest paid jobs in Germany are University Hospital Heidelberg and Asklepios Kliniken Bad Abbach GmbH, with $73,664 to $115,134 per year.
Looking for MBBS programs to fuel your journey in Deutschland? We have you covered. Check out our blog on the 10 best programs for MBBS in Germany.
3. Portfolio Manager
Average Salary: $80,000 - $150,000
Qualifications: Financial analyst certification, good market knowledge, fluency in German and English
Growth Rate: NA
In this challenging economy, individuals must think smartly about the investments they make. However, such important decisions are energy-consuming. So, the individuals with such resources hire portfolio managers to make these decisions for them. As one of the best paid jobs in Germany, portfolio managers must command a great knowledge of financial markets as well as make astute decisions. Top companies offering this job role are Baker Hughes, Schüco, SEB AB, and Landesbank Berlin offering high salary jobs up to $130,409 annually.
4. Sales Manager
Average Salary: $55,000 - $110,000
Qualifications: Sales and marketing degree (optional), high school diploma, passion for sales, fluency in German and English
Growth Rate: 10-20% YoY growth
Sales managers overlook perhaps the bread and butter of a successful company: managing a sales team responsible for implementing crucial sales strategies. This important position is undeniably one of the top 10 highest paid jobs in Germany for international students. Popular companies that offer annual salaries of around $65,000 are Valuecase Gmbh and Marketplace Powerbrands GmbH.
5. Lawyer
Average Salary: $60,000 - $145,000
Qualifications: Admission to the Bar Association, a law degree, fluency in German and English
Growth Rate: 50% in ten years
Upholding one of the three pillars of a successful democracy, such as the one in Germany, is surely a great career path students can undertake. Lawyers need an iron-clad understanding of the law their country of residence follows and a strong sense of justice. German universities are known for their excellent education in law, which is also why the job of a lawyer is one of the highest paying jobs in Germany.
If you are looking to work part-time, our guide on part-time jobs in Germany will help.
6. Electrical Engineer
Average Salary: $60,000 - $150,000
Qualifications: a university degree in electrical engineering, a Blue Card permit, certification depending on company
Growth Rate: 1-2% YoY
Engineering has always been a financially lucrative option in many countries. As one of the highest paying jobs in Germany, it only makes sense that Europe's symbolic capital provides world-class engineering education to hundreds of thousands every year. As one of the top 10 highest paid jobs in Germany, electrical engineers are highly in demand. Wondering if Germany should be your destination for further studies? Studying in Germany is as good an option as any!
7. Project Manager
Average Salary: $60,000 - $95,000
Qualifications: a degree in a relevant field, experience in project management, fluency in Germany and English
Growth Rate: NA
A project manager is essentially the point of contact for all the hidden invisible tasks that keep the company ticking. They are involved in ideating, planning, implementing and assessing the implications of a project across many different parameters and disciplines. Therefore, it means you must have a great insight into people management, time management, and so much more. If you feel like you are a person who is primed to multitask and handle different personalities, this is one of the best, highest paying jobs in Germany. As one of the best paid jobs in Germany, project managers need to have an exceedingly exceptional portfolio.
8. Software Developer
Average Salary: $60,000 - $95,000
Qualifications: Relevant degree (optional), good understanding of coding languages,
Growth Rate: 2-3% YoY
In the rising age of AI and technology, one of the highest paying jobs in Germany is definitely that of a software developer. The Gen Z of today's day and age love having convenience at their fingertips, and that's what the work of a software developer offers, offering you the opportunity to create and develop innovative software to make day-to-day life easier. The great thing about choosing the profession of a software developer is that you don't necessarily need a degree in the field to pursue a career in the field. The top companies offering a huge salary of around $170,303 per year for this job role are Apple, SeatGeek, and Facebook.
9. Risk Manager
Average Salary: $70,000 - $110,000
Qualifications: risk management degree, acumen for business, fluency in German and English
Growth Rate: 1-1.5% YoY
When a business starts growing and expanding, it is important to understand the risks that come with big decisions. A risk manager manages a whole bunch of facets of a company, such as analysing current and future risks of a company's decisions, training and encouraging employees to avoid risks and creating risk management strategies. With such high stakes, the job requires a lot of experience and talent, which is why it is also one of the highest paying jobs in Germany. Top recruiters for this position are Baumlink GmbH, Morgan Stanley, and Deutsche Bank paying around $84,850 per year.
10. College Professor
Average Salary: $75,000 - $135,000
Qualifications: a relevant master's or doctorate, teaching skills, fluency in German and English
Growth Rate: NA
Ever been fascinated by how your college professors taught you certain subjects so easily? Well, you are in luck, as becoming a college professor is one of the top 10 highest paid jobs in Germany for international students. All it takes is a love for teaching, great expertise in your subject of preference and perseverance, and you can obtain one of the highest paying jobs in Germany.
How to Get the Highest Paying Jobs in Germany?
As a student considering moving to Germany, of course, looking at possible job opportunities is a given. For more guidance on the potential move, read our blog on moving to Germany. Getting high paying jobs in Germany for international students is a fairly easy process as the European nation is a major hub for employment and innovation. Here are the essentials you need to possess to have the best chance:
1. Legal and visa requirements: Ensure you have all your legal documents and basic eligibility to work in Germany fulfilled. Confused about the visa processes? Check out our blog on how to get a German Work Visa as a student.
2. Language skills: While it is not mandatory to be fluent in German to live and work there, it can prove to be an excellent benefit to maximise your chances of getting a job. Consider taking language courses to boost your chances of getting the best paid jobs in Germany. Learning German on the best language-learning apps is a great way to boost fluency!
3. Networking: Networking amongst your circle of friends and colleagues is of utmost importance in Germany. Having valuable connections can help you land your dream job!
4. Tools to aid your job search: Use university career services, online platforms like Xing, Indeed and Glassdoor, job fairs, and company websites to find the highest paying jobs in Germany
5. Internships: Complete as many internships and volunteering opportunities as you can to show potential employers your track record in order to get a best paying job in Germany. You can also network quite well in such experiences.
In conclusion, now that you've learned the essentials, you're better equipped to pursue your first job in this beautiful country. This wraps up our list of the top 10 highest paid jobs in Germany. We hope you're motivated to go after your dreams and strive for success in Germany's lucrative job market.