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Who earns the most? New study reveals salary champions among foreign professionals.
- Isabelle Manoli
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
Germany is an attractive destination for talent from all over the world. But how much do foreign professionals actually earn here? A recent study by the German Economic Institute (IW) shows that many immigrants not only earn well, but their income is significantly above the German average. This is particularly interesting for you as a (prospective) professional: success in Germany is not a matter of chance, but often a question of qualifications and the right strategy. But who are the winners in the salary comparison? We'll tell you which foreigners earn the most!
The top earners: These nations lead the ranking
To make salaries comparable, the study uses the median wage (the middle gross income).
Overall average: €4,013
German employees: €4,177
Foreign employees (total): €3,204
But beware: This overall figure for foreign workers is misleading. Looking at the individual countries of origin reveals a completely different picture. Some groups of expats and skilled workers in Germany earn top salaries that are far above the average for German citizens:
For comparison: The German median is €4,177.
Why do skilled workers from India, China and the USA earn so much?
Looking at these figures, it's striking that certain foreigners earn significantly more than Germans. The main reason for these high salaries is qualifications . The study shows that top earners are disproportionately represented in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While only about 7.6% of all employees work in these high-paying sectors overall, the figure is 30.7% for Indians and 24 % for Chinese . The reason is simple: Immigration without recognized qualifications ( skilled worker status ) is only possible under very strict conditions. Most foreigners in Germany who have immigrated legally therefore have significantly better qualifications than German citizens. Besides the industry, the location of the job also plays a role: Many highly qualified professionals are drawn to economically strong metropolitan areas like Munich, Stuttgart, or Berlin, where wage levels are generally higher.
University studies as a career springboard in Germany
A key pathway to these top salaries leads through German universities. A growing number of international talents are taking advantage of the attractive legal framework:
Study (§ 16b AufenthG) : Entry and graduation at a German university.
Job search (§ 20 AufenthG) : After graduation, graduates have up to 18 months to find a suitable job.
EU Blue Card (§ 18g AufenthG) : The "gold standard" for academics, which leads to a permanent residence permit particularly quickly.
Indian citizens in particular show a high success rate here: Two-thirds of Indian students plan to stay in Germany long-term – and many of them land directly in well-paid STEM jobs.
Conclusion: Your qualifications are the key.
The IW study makes it clear: The German labor market is extremely permeable to talent. Skilled workers – especially in technical or academic professions – have excellent chances of earning a salary higher than that of the native population. While the number of German workers is stagnating, the German economy is growing primarily through skilled immigration. Germany needs you – and is prepared to reward you accordingly.
