Aviation, healthcare, IT, engineering, and the legal sector offer the highest-paying jobs in Germany, according to official statistics and job market data.
As the world’s third-largest economy, Germany is projected to reach a GDP of $4.74 trillion (€4.12 trillion) in 2025. The country also ranks among the top 20 globally in GDP per capita, with a figure of $55,911 (€47,206), based on IMF estimates from April 2025.
Germany remains the leading EU destination for migrants, including highly skilled professionals seeking competitive salaries. But what are the best-paying positions in the country, and how much do they actually earn?
Euronews Business examined income data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), which reports gross monthly earnings (converted here to annual figures), and job listings from global recruitment platform Indeed covering the period from May 2024 to April 2025.
According to Destatis, aviation stands out as the highest-paying field in Germany, offering a median gross annual income of €336,000. Starting salaries in this sector typically begin at €132,000.
Healthcare follows closely, with median salaries ranging from €108,000 to €156,000. Legal and judiciary professions come next, offering between €84,000 and €144,000 annually. In academia and research, earnings span from €72,000 to €120,000, while IT and engineering roles offer between €72,000 and €114,000. Public sector positions are also well-compensated, with salaries ranging from €60,000 to €114,000.
At the lower end of the scale, the retail and service sector offers the least competitive pay, with median earnings between €30,000 and €42,000.
Pilots top Germany’s salary rankings, with median annual earnings reaching €342,072 in highly complex aviation roles and an average close to €337,152. Flying instructors in equally complex roles rank second, earning €281,592 annually.
Additional aviation jobs in the top 50 highest-paying roles include:
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Air traffic surveillance and control (complex) – €147,996 (5th)
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Airline and aircraft pilots (complex) – €139,524 (6th)
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Aircraft pilots – €122,484 (12th)
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Technical air traffic control (complex) – €109,188 (20th)
Healthcare occupations also dominate the top earners. “Managers in human medicine and dentistry” earn €165,576 annually, placing third overall. Complex technical roles in laboratory medicine and radiology follow with salaries of €131,556 and €129,012, respectively. Surgeons typically earn €118,668, and general practitioners in complex roles make around €100,000.
In the legal sector, “managers in legal services and jurisdiction” rank fourth with €149,280. Judges in complex roles appear in 38th place, followed by prosecutors and lawyers in similarly complex positions, all earning close to €95,000.
Management roles across academia, research, tech, government, and media are also well represented. These positions generally offer salaries exceeding €100,000, with none earning less than €90,000.
One unexpected entry in the top 10 is the entertainment field: magicians and illusionists rank eighth, earning €134,316 annually.
Employees in high-level national security service roles also made the top 50, with salaries just over €90,000.
Data from Indeed confirms many of these trends. According to their listings, “corporate tax advisors” lead the chart with median salaries of €145,000. High-paying sales positions include managing directors and heads of sales, earning between €107,500 and €138,243. “A labour law attorney earns €105,000,” while “general lawyers receive around €93,334.”
In the tech sector, System Applications Product (SAP) consultants approach €100,000, with “senior system engineers” at €95,000. IT security specialists and technical SAP consultants both earn around €90,000. Directors in various management roles also fall into this range.
Only one healthcare role appears on Indeed’s list — “dentists,” with a median income close to €86,000 — because “physicians and surgeons” were excluded and require a separate analysis.
