In Germany, a minimum wage is prescribed by law and currently stands at €12.82 per hour (as of January 2025). However, the minimum wage only applies to work, not to vocational training or to minors without vocational training. In these cases, lower wages may be paid.
During a work placement, you will receive the minimum wage if you have already completed your studies or vocational training, if the work placement has no connection to your vocational training or if the work placement lasts longer than three months.

Minimum wage – EUR 12.82 per hour

Trade unions and employers have negotiated collective wage agreements in many industries, and these regulate wages. In collective wage agreements the principle also applies that the better quali-fied you are, the more you earn. Skilled workers earn more than unskilled workers, while trained technicians or engineers with university qualifications earn even more.