Salary expectations in a German application: how to work out and state the right figure
„Please state your salary expectations“ appears in many German job ads. Naming a figure that is too high, too low – or none at all – costs either the opportunity or the money.
In Germany salary is normally stated as a gross annual figure, not per month or per hour. It means the amount before tax and social contributions, including fixed extra payments such as a Christmas or holiday bonus.
Your stated expectation is not a binding commitment but the starting point for the conversation. It should, however, be something you can justify.
This article shows how to work out a realistic figure, where to state it and how to phrase it.
Do I have to state a salary expectation?
If the job ad asks for it explicitly, answer. Leaving it out usually looks like a requirement you overlooked.
If the ad does not ask, you do not need to raise the topic in writing. It will normally come up in the interview.
Step 1: Research a realistic range
Before naming a figure you need a reference point. These factors influence German salaries considerably:
- industry and company size
- region – salaries in Munich, Frankfurt or Stuttgart are often above those in rural areas
- experience and responsibility (leadership, budget, projects)
- qualifications and recognised degrees
- whether the employer follows a collective agreement (Tarifvertrag)
An overview of salary levels, regions and gross/net is available here: Salaries in Germany
Important in regulated professions
In regulated professions and at employers bound by collective agreements, pay often follows fixed salary bands. A range is then more useful than an exact figure.
Step 2: Decide on a figure or a range
Both work. A single figure looks decisive, a narrow range leaves room to negotiate.
If you give a range, keep it tight (for example 4,000 to 5,000 euros per year apart). Very wide ranges look indecisive – and employers will anchor on the lower end.
Wording options compared
All of these are common – they differ in how much room they leave you:
| Option | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed figure | „My salary expectation is 62,000 euros gross per year.“ | clear, little room |
| Narrow range | „My expectation is between 58,000 and 62,000 euros gross per year.“ | clear and negotiable |
| With reasoning | „Based on my five years in controlling, my expectation is 65,000 euros gross per year.“ | most convincing |
| Left open | „I would be glad to discuss salary in person.“ | only if the ad does not ask |
Always say whether you mean an annual or a monthly figure. Without that, misunderstandings are almost guaranteed.
Step 3: State it in the right place
Where it belongs depends on how you apply:
- Cover letter: briefly in the closing paragraph, together with your possible start date
- Online form: in the field provided, without extra explanation
- Email application: in the email text or the cover letter, not in the CV
- Interview: when asked, with a short justification
Structure and wording of the German cover letter: Cover letters for Germany
Example closing paragraph
„My salary expectation is 60,000 euros gross per year. I could start on 1 November and would be glad to discuss the role in person.“
Two sentences are enough. No justification or long explanation needed.
Your CV is the lever for your negotiating position
A higher expectation is easier to justify when your CV makes responsibility and results visible: team size, budget, project scope, key figures.
If the CV stays generic, the very same figure quickly looks too high.
Before/after: making responsibility visible
Before
„Responsible for projects and reporting in controlling.“
Problem: scope and responsibility stay unclear.
After
„Responsible for monthly cost-centre reporting across 12 sites and for budget planning of a unit with a volume of 3.5 million euros.“
Benefit: the figure in the cover letter is now backed by the CV.
Common mistakes with salary expectations
- leaving it out although the ad asks for it
- mixing up monthly and annual figures
- giving an overly wide range
- stating a net instead of a gross figure
- naming a figure with no research at all
- putting salary in the CV instead of the cover letter
- naming a completely different figure in the interview
- apologising for your own expectation
Before you name a figure
Frequently asked questions
Gross or net – which do I state?
In Germany always gross, normally as an annual figure. Net pay depends on your tax class, church tax and other personal factors and is not the reference point for an employer.
What counts towards the annual salary?
The fixed base salary plus regular contractual payments such as a Christmas or holiday bonus. Variable bonuses are better mentioned separately.
What happens if I aim too high?
Usually you get a counter-proposal or a follow-up question. A clearly excessive figure with no justification can, however, end the process.
Can I change my expectation later?
Small adjustments are possible in the interview, especially if the tasks or responsibility turn out to be broader than advertised. Large jumps upwards look implausible.
How should international candidates approach this?
Research the level for Germany instead of converting your current salary. Living costs, social contributions and pay structures differ substantially between countries.
Does this also apply to internships and working-student roles?
There a monthly figure or an hourly rate is common. In that case state explicitly what your figure refers to.
Read on
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