Average earnings of a Java programmer in Germany – expectations and reality

What is the world's perception of work in Germany? It is especially interesting to see how well the expectation of high salaries for a Java programmer is justified. This is easy to find out from comments on forums. In general, people have an idea of significant taxes and the difficult fate of the middle class in the social sphere. After all, it is this contingent that bears the burden of the financial burden, which makes life in the country, on average, more comfortable. But those in need can count on assistance in case of unemployment and other bonuses, such as medical care.

However, how realistic are salary expectations for a website developer? What can an immigrant expect? Is there a difference when looking for work for a native resident of the country and for a newcomer? In the imagination of ordinary people, the monthly income of an average-level programmer starts at $6,500, while real payments range from $3,500 to $4,300. And this is before taxes. However, there is also positive news for labor immigrants. A good specialist has a good chance of not only finding a job, but also getting paid at the same level as a native German.

How is the average IT salary level calculated?

Seeing recent graphs on the number of vacancies for Java specialists in Internet articles, as well as reading comments left by users on the Internet, a novice developer is already picturing rosy prospects for himself. The list of trending professions includes dentist, lawyer, commercial director, stock broker, and aviation employee. And although construction and banks are at the top of the list of the most profitable sectors, it is the IT sector that tops this ranking.

The concept of average income for a website development professional shouldn't really be taken too literally. Actual money may vary widely. This greatly depends on the company that is hiring. But this situation also has a number of advantages. A small German company from a provincial town has fewer requirements for candidates; knowledge of English is not required (this is the opinion of an eyewitness who worked in Germany).

Thus, there are higher chances of finding a job with less experience, and the relatively modest income is offset by the cost of living in the region. A software engineer can on average count on a salary that, after all deductions, will be $2300-$3300 per month. More than half of the offers in the advertisements will be like this. It is known that three out of four developers earn less than $4,800 per month.

Getting a job in a medium or large German company is much more difficult. Excellent knowledge of English and experience required. Such organizations are often focused on the foreign market. Often, they do not offer additional benefits, but they pay well. The bulk of the offices are located in the largest cities - Munich and Berlin. A very realistic average salary for a Java programmer is $7,500 monthly.

For the best specialists there are even more attractive conditions. The largest international companies are recruiting the most successful IT professionals, and it is quite realistic for a developer to earn $10,000 or more. True, this level of the bar is achievable only for the brightest stars of their profession.

What gives rise to rumors about the high incomes of IT specialists

The question arises, what shapes the idea of salaries in Germany for the virtual sphere? Only a few craftsmen make it to the middle and upper levels of pay. For immigrant workers, being able to find a job does not mean it will be easy. The requirements for visitors are traditionally higher.

The reasons are banal. Some of the developers who decide to move have a really high level of skills and excellent knowledge of the English language. These are not the average representatives of the profession. Another part of immigrants does not publish news about their relatively modest incomes. The third reason is that job offers in a German company are often aimed at finding a certain level of specialists, which creates an optimistic overall impression. Thus, a simple Internet user receives a distorted reality through articles and graphics.

Foreign applicants sometimes do not know that the conditions for natives of Germany are also quite fixed. If a citizen does not have a higher education and works in a small organization, then it will be very difficult for him to receive an annual increase of even $250. But the regions differ greatly in the cost of living, and therefore what is not very attractive in the center, conditions are quite good for the outskirts. Therefore, the flow of people who are interested in the topic of labor migration does not dry out.