Working as a welder in Germany in 2025 is an opportunity for stable employment and attractive earnings that allow not only for a peaceful life but also for saving money. Average rates, overtime bonuses, and premiums make going abroad profitable, especially for people with experience and certificates who want to use their skills on well-paid projects. It’s worth knowing the real amounts and working conditions to consciously plan your departure and avoid disappointments after arrival.
How much does a welder really earn in Germany in 2025 – numbers worth knowing before departure
If you’re considering going abroad to work and wondering how much a welder earns in Germany, you might be positively surprised, as this is one of the professions that still enjoys stable demand and good rates. The average earnings of a welder in Germany in 2025 are approximately 38,300 euros annually gross, which gives roughly 3,192 euros monthly.
Hourly rates are around 20 euros per hour, and the lower limit of earnings is 32,500 euros annually, while the best-paid welders can count on even 45,900 euros gross per year.
Thanks to overtime and bonuses, your salary can increase by even 50% above the basic rate, which in practice means that monthly between 2,800 and 4,000 euros net can flow into your account, depending on the workplace, type of contract, and number of hours worked. A welder in Germany has earnings dependent on several factors, including possessed certificates, skills in working with various materials, and specialization. If you’re thinking about starting work in this profession, checking real rates will help you better plan your departure and familiarize yourself with the cost of living in the chosen state.
Stuttgart or Berlin – where will a welder earn more and why does location matter?
It’s no secret that earnings in Germany for welders depend on the region where they work. In 2025, the best-paid jobs for welders are located in southern Germany, in cities like Stuttgart or Munich. In Stuttgart, average earnings are approximately 38,800 euros annually, and in Munich – 37,600 euros annually. In Berlin, on the other hand, you can expect a salary of around 32,600 euros annually, and in Dresden even less, about 31,000 euros gross.
Why does this happen? Southern states like Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg have stronger economies and more developed industrial companies that offer higher rates and additional benefits. If the highest earnings matter to you, choosing the work location in Germany is of great importance. At the same time, remember that the cost of living in Munich or Stuttgart will be higher than in Berlin or Dresden, so it’s worth calculating how much will remain in your pocket after deducting expenses for housing and daily life. This will help you better decide where it’s most profitable to work as a welder.
Overtime, bonuses, 13th salary – how a welder in Germany can increase their payout
Salary amount is one thing, but real income in the welder profession in Germany is often increased by allowances and benefits offered by companies. Overtime bonuses can increase your salary by even 50% of the basic rate, which allows welders to significantly raise monthly income, especially during periods of increased work demand. Added to this are task bonuses, which can amount to up to 20% of monthly salary, depending on the type of project, industry, and efficiency of work performed.
In large companies, you can also count on a 13th salary and Weihnachtsgeld, which is a Christmas bonus, representing an additional cash injection during the year. At some workplaces, welders also receive free meals, work clothing, and allowances for commuting to work, which really reduces your daily expenses. All this means that a welder can increase earnings in Germany thanks to the bonus and overtime system, and skillful use of these opportunities allows for saving and planning larger investments in the future, such as renting a better apartment or saving for a return to Poland.
Experience, courses, specializations – what increases a welder’s earnings in Germany?
If you want to increase your welder earnings in Germany, you should know that investing in your qualifications really translates into salary level. Professional experience means that over time you can count on better rates, but additional courses and certificates have an even greater impact on earnings. Completing courses opens the possibility of running your own business, and a technician diploma or engineering studies in welding enable work in managerial positions and better-paid projects.
Additionally, specialization in working with specific materials such as stainless steel or aluminum increases your value in the job market, as not everyone has appropriate qualifications and experience in these areas. It’s worth remembering that a welder in Germany makes earnings dependent on the industry in which they work – heavy industry or machine construction usually pay more than small service establishments. Collective labor agreements in large companies also allow you to count on better remuneration and employment stability, which translates into financial security. If you’re planning to go to Germany for earning purposes, acquiring additional qualifications is one of the best ways to increase your income.
Planning a work trip abroad? Check how much a welder can earn in Germany and what to watch out for
Going abroad to work is a decision that should be well thought out, especially if you want to know how much a welder earns in Germany and what you can count on in practice. In addition to the gross salary amount, you must pay attention to tax issues, cost of living in the chosen state, and the social insurance system, which will affect the net salary amount. It’s worth finding out what vacation issues and overtime look like, as well as what allowances and benefits the employer offers, to avoid disappointment and better plan your finances after arrival.
Before departure, it’s worth carefully checking accommodation conditions, contract provisions, and the method of tax settlement to avoid unnecessary problems and underpayments in the future. Working in Germany involves the obligation to settle taxes, so it’s good to prepare for this from the beginning and plan tax settlement from Germany online, which saves time and nerves. It’s best to do this with Taxando – thanks to this, you’ll settle taxes quickly, in Polish, and without stress, maintaining control over your financial situation while working in Germany.
Maciej Szewczyk is an IT consultant, innovation manager, and sworn German translator specializing in Polish and German tax law.
He gained experience as a consultant on IT projects for many international companies. In 2017, he founded the startup taxando GmbH, where he developed the innovative tax app Taxando, which simplifies the filing of annual tax returns.
Maciej Szewczyk combines technological expertise with in-depth knowledge of tax regulations, making him an expert in his field. In his private life, he is a happy husband and father and lives with his family in Berlin.
