The pay gap between German citizens and foreigners remains significant even with full employment. By the end of 2025, the median salary of Germans was €4396 per month before taxes, while foreign workers earned €3358. The difference reached 23.6%. This is reported by DW citing the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Germany.
How much do foreigners and German citizens earn
The data pertains to workers with full employment. On average, the difference between the two groups exceeds €1000 per month: €4396 for German citizens versus €3358 for foreigners.
This gap is not new for the German labor market. Since 2020, the difference has fluctuated between 23.1% and 25.5%, although median salaries have risen in both groups during this time.
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Why foreigners in Germany often receive low salaries
In 2025, 30.6% of foreigners working full-time belonged to the category of low-paid workers. Among German citizens, this figure was significantly lower at 12.3%.
The Institute for Labor Market and Occupational Research explains a significant portion of the pay gap by the employment structure. Immigrants are less likely to work in highly paid sectors and occupations with high salaries.
The level of income is also significantly influenced by education, professional qualifications, and experience. The Federal Employment Agency shows a noticeable difference in salaries depending on the level of education.
In 2025, workers without professional qualification received a median salary of €3133 per month. With recognized professional qualifications, this figure rose to €4069.
The highest incomes were recorded among employees with higher education. The median salary of university graduates working full-time was €6146 per month before taxes.
Thus, statistics show not only the difference between Germans and foreigners but also the significant impact of qualifications on earnings. At the same time, the share of low-paid workers among foreigners is more than twice the figure among German citizens.
Let us recall that the German government plans to change social support rules for Ukrainians in the country under the temporary protection program according to §24.