Nursing professional salary in Germany: Guidance for nurses and families

Every day you give your all for your patients, take on responsibility and achieve great things both physically and emotionally. But perhaps you are wondering whether your qualified nurse salary truly reflects your commitment. Or you are a family member and would like to know what costs you will face when employing a caregiver.

 

 

Many people who already work in nursing or are considering entering the field find only contradictory information online, which creates uncertainty. Sometimes only the gross salary is mentioned, sometimes bonuses are missing, and often the figures vary.

In this article you will receive a clear overview including gross and net examples, regional differences, collective agreement information and bonuses. You will also learn how your salary can develop with increasing experience, which specializations offer opportunities and how you can actively increase your salary.

 

 

 

 

 

You are wondering what a qualified nurse actually earns? This question concerns many people who work in nursing or are currently considering entering the field. The qualified nurse salary averages between 3,300 and 3,800 euros gross per month, which corresponds to an average of €44,851 per year. This corresponds to a monthly gross salary of €3,738.

 

Lea’s story

When Lea completed her training as a qualified nurse, she was prouder than ever before. Finally she could get started, but was it all worthwhile financially? But as soon as she read €3,050 gross on paper, the questions began: What does that actually mean net? Is that a lot or a little compared to others? Could I perhaps earn more with a private provider? And is further training as an intensive care nurse or ward manager really worth it?

She googled “qualified nurse salary” – and ended up in a jungle of contradictory information. Some websites mentioned €2,700, others €3,400. Some only referred to the starting salary, others to the average, and still others made everything look better by including bonuses. She was more confused than before.

“Am I really earning fairly?” she asked herself. “And what would happen if I specialized at some point?

How much Lea actually earns depends heavily on her federal state, the employer, collective agreements and professional experience – the differences can amount to several hundred euros. What matters is not only the basic salary, but above all what remains net, including bonuses for night, weekend and public holiday shifts as well as possible special payments. With experience, further training or a move to institutions bound by collective agreements, Lea can significantly increase her income.

 

If you work as a self-employed nurse, your remuneration differs fundamentally from that of an employee. Instead of a fixed salary, you agree on an hourly fee with the families. In practice, this usually ranges between €25 and €40 per hour, depending on your qualifications, your experience, the region and the care needs of the person being cared for.

 

Fee ≠ net income

It is important to note: The fee the family pays you is not your income, but your gross revenue. From this money you must cover all your professional and social obligations yourself, such as:

• Income tax
• Health and long-term care insurance
• Pension insurance (voluntary or mandatory, depending on the activity
• Professional liability insurance
• Additional costs such as travel, work materials, further training or accounting

This means: Even if your hourly rate seems higher than that of an employed nurse, after deductions you often end up with similar net earnings – but you bear full organizational responsibility.

Risk & opportunity: Your personal trade-off

Self-employment brings both opportunities and risks for you:

Your advantages:

• You can achieve a higher gross hourly fee
• You decide your own prices, locations and working hours
• You have more creative freedom and flexibility

Your obligations and risks:

• No paid vacation
• No continued salary payment in case of illness
• Financial risks during downtime
• You must organize your entire insurance coverage and tax matters yourself

Self-employment therefore means: More freedom, more income per hour – but also significantly more personal responsibility. Many nurses consciously choose this path precisely for this reason, because they want to offer their skills independently and are willing to take on the additional responsibility.

Average qualified nurse salary 2025–2026 (Gross vs. Net)

Here you get an initial overview of the qualified nurse salary 2025–2026:

Source: Medi-Karriere – Qualified nurse earnings

Starting salary in Germany after training

If, like Lea, you have successfully completed your training as a qualified nurse and are entering the profession, your salary development usually begins at the lower end of the scale – depending on the provider and collective agreement. If you work in the public sector under TVöD, you can expect around €2,800 to €3,100 gross per month at the start. In private institutions, the salary is often somewhat lower and usually ranges between €2,600 and €3,000 gross. Church-run providers – for example under AVR – are usually slightly above private ones, but often somewhat below TVöD and pay around €2,700 to €3,000 gross per month.

Employer comparison table

 

Hourly wage & comparison

How much do you earn per hour? – This question is asked particularly often because it allows you to make a direct comparison. The hourly wage is calculated from your monthly salary and the agreed weekly working hours (usually 38.5–40 hours). In many cases, it averages between 16 and 20 euros per hour.

Calculate hourly wage easily

Formula: Gross monthly salary ÷ (weekly hours × 4.33)

Example: 3.700 € ÷ (39 × 4.33) ≈ 21.8 €/h

With allowances, the effective hourly wage can reach 25–28 €/h.

Top performers or specialists in intensive care units can earn over 30 €/h.

 

You now know approximately how much nursing professionals earn on average – but your actual salary depends heavily on where you work and who your employer is. Federal state, city, collective agreements, and provider all play a crucial role. It is worth knowing these differences in order to realistically assess your income and make conscious career decisions.

 

 

Federal state comparison

In Germany, there are significant differences between the federal states.

Source: Destatis, StepStone, as of October 2025

Salary in major cities

In major cities such as Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, or Frankfurt, salaries are often higher than the national average. The reason is higher living costs and collective pay structures that urban hospitals use to attract skilled professionals.

Public sector (TVöD) vs. church-affiliated providers vs. private institutions

Your employer also has a strong impact on your income.

• In the public sector (TVöD) salaries are usually the highest, around 18 – 20 €/hour, especially with professional experience and in higher pay grades.

Here you can find the TVÖD-P 2026 salary calculator

• Church-affiliated providers (e.g. The Red Cross are slightly below this, approximately 17 – 19 €/hour. However, they often offer additional social benefits.
• Private institutions sometimes pay less, approx. 16 – 19 €/hour. In return, they may offer more flexible working time models.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With increasing professional experience, your salary improves significantly. As soon as you take on responsibility, for example as a deputy ward manager, work in a specialized department such as intensive care, or complete further training, you move up to higher pay grades – and your income grows step by step.

 

 

How much does a nursing professional earn under a collective agreement (TVöD)?

Under the TVöD-Pflege (pay groups P7–P9), the salary in 2025 ranges between 3.300 and 4.100 € gross per month. With increasing professional experience, you move up to higher levels and can earn significantly more over the years. In addition, there are allowances for shift and on-call duties.

Table: Nursing professional salary under collective agreement (TVöD 2025)

 

Validity of the table: 01/04/2025 - 30/04/2026

Source: Verdi – TVöD Nursing Collective Agreement 2025

Source:: https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/

Further Training & Specialization

If you pursue further training, you can significantly increase your income. Specializations such as intensive care, OR, palliative care, or pediatric nursing not only open up exciting fields of work, but also have a positive impact on your salary. With specialized qualifications, 5–15% higher pay is not uncommon. In addition, your chances of taking on more responsible positions or working for particularly attractive employers increase.

• Intensive care: +300–500 € per month
• OR nursing: +250–400 €
• Palliative care: +200–350 €
• Pediatric nursing: +200–300 €

Management Roles & Career Paths

You can also advance your nursing career through management roles. A ward manager or director of nursing is responsible not only for a team, but also for organization, quality, and personnel planning – and is compensated accordingly. In these positions, salaries often range between €4,000 and €5,500 gross or even higher, depending on the size of the clinic, the provider, and the federal state.

Table: Comparison of Nursing Professions (2025)

Source: Gehalt.de – Registered nurse salary 2025

As of: 01/02/2025

 

You often work beyond your regular shifts, take on night duties, weekend or holiday shifts – and wonder how this affects your salary. The good news: your commitment is additionally rewarded, and these allowances can noticeably increase your income.

 

 

Night Shifts & Shift Allowances

For night shifts, you receive an allowance of approx. 15–25% of your hourly wage in many institutions. In practical terms: if you earn an average of €18/hour, your hourly wage at night is between €20 and €22.50. With several night shifts per month, this quickly adds up to several hundred euros extra. Late or early shifts may also be rewarded with smaller allowances.

Holiday and Weekend Allowances

Assignments on weekends or public holidays are paid extra. Typical allowances range from 25–50%, sometimes even more on particularly important holidays such as Christmas or New Year. This means: your normal hourly wage can rise to €27–30 per hour in these cases – real recognition for your flexibility and commitment.

Nursing Allowance, Special Payments & Bonus

Many institutions also pay nursing allowances that directly increase your monthly income. In addition, there are special payments such as Christmas and vacation bonuses that significantly enhance your annual salary. Some employers even grant bonus payments for special achievements or many years of service. Altogether, these extras can quickly amount to several hundred to over €1,000 per year.

Table: Allowances for Registered Nurses 2025

Source: TVöD version (as of 01/08/2025)

 

You may see a proud sum in your employment contract – for example €3,500 gross per month – and ask yourself: how much of that actually ends up in my account? The answer is not always simple, as it depends on tax class, social security contributions, working hours, and even your federal state. Especially in nursing, where shift work, allowances, and special payments are added, it is important to understand the difference between gross and net.

 

 

 

Sample calculations for different tax classes

Your net salary can vary greatly depending on your personal situation. A few typical net examples – four typical scenarios:

 

These examples show: tax class and working hours make a noticeable difference – and influence how much money you actually have available.

Comparison: Bavaria vs. Saxony – same gross, different net

The federal state also plays a role. In Bavaria, for example, you pay higher church tax and social security contributions than in Saxony. This means: even with the same gross salary, your net income in Bavaria can be up to €150–200 lower than in Saxony.

Example:

• €3,700 gross in Bavaria: approx. €2,450 net
• €3,700 gross in Saxony: approx. €2,350 net (due to higher social security contributions)

So if you are planning where to work or considering a change, it makes sense to compare gross and net figures carefully. This way, you get a realistic picture of how much money you actually keep – and can better plan your lifestyle and your future.

 

You are probably wondering how your salary as a qualified nurse has developed in recent years and what to expect in the coming years. After all, it is not only important to know how much you earn today, but also what long-term prospects exist – for your financial security and your career planning.

Development 2020–2025

Over the past five years, salaries for qualified nurses have risen significantly. On average, they increased by 10–12%, mainly due to collective bargaining agreements in the public sector and inflation adjustments. Many who have been in the profession for a longer time clearly feel the difference: their commitment is finally being recognized financially as well.

Skilled Labor Shortage & Political Measures

The ongoing shortage of skilled nursing staff has a direct impact on your salary. Facilities must compete for qualified staff, which continues to drive wages upward. At the same time, political measures such as the care bonus or targeted collective wage increases provide additional financial incentives. For you, this means: your commitment is not only appreciated but also measurably rewarded.

Forecast 2026–2030 – where is salary development heading?

Looking to the future, the outlook remains positive. Experts expect a further increase in qualified nurse salaries of 8–12% by 2030, especially in collectively agreed institutions. Those who complete further training early, choose specialized fields, or take on management roles can benefit even more. In short: your work is likely to be paid even better in the coming years, and the profession will remain financially more attractive than many people think.

 

You provide valuable work every day, take on responsibility, and ensure that people receive the best possible care. But often the question remains: how can I actively increase my salary as a qualified nurse? Here are some proven ways to strategically boost your income.

 

 

Emphasize Your Market Value

In negotiations, argue with specific, highly sought-after qualifications. Highlight in particular your short-term availability, your professional specialization (e.g. intensive care), and in-demand language skills.

Make Use of Further Training

One of the most effective ways to increase your salary is targeted further training. Specializations such as intensive care nursing, operating room nursing, palliative care, or pediatric nursing make you more valuable to your employer and often open up higher pay grades. Training for management roles can also move you into salary groups that are significantly above your current income.

Check Employer Change & Collective Agreements

Not every employer pays the same. Switching from a private institution to the public sector (TVöD) or to collectively agreed church institutions can bring several hundred euros more per month. It is worth comparing collective agreements and considering which employers offer the best long-term opportunities for salary increases.

Bonuses as a Net Income Booster.

Bonuses are often an underestimated factor. If you take on more night shifts, weekend shifts, or public holiday shifts, your hourly wage increases significantly. Many qualified nurses use this opportunity strategically to increase their monthly salary by several hundred euros without increasing their regular working hours.

Be aware that bonuses for night, weekend, and public holiday shifts increase your net income disproportionately. Negotiate a higher guaranteed percentage for these “unsocial hours” – this is the easiest and most effective way for you to achieve noticeably more net income.

Salary Negotiation – What to Consider?

Active salary negotiations also pay off. Prepare thoroughly by documenting your experience, qualifications, further training, and special achievements. Speak concretely about numbers, refer to collective agreement comparisons, and show how your commitment benefits the employer. This way, you can confidently demand a higher salary and often realistically achieve it.

 

If you would like to have a relative cared for at home, the question of a fair salary for the caregiver is central. Fair pay ensures that caregivers are motivated, reliable, and fully attentive in their work – and this directly benefits your loved ones.

 

1. Research the Market-Standard Wage

Find out about the usual salaries for qualified nurses in your region. Take into account gross and net amounts, bonuses for night, weekend, or public holiday shifts, as well as possible special payments. This will give you a realistic picture of what is fair.

2. Consider All Additional Costs

In addition to the base salary, social security contributions, insurance, or travel expenses are often incurred. With a 24-hour care or hourly care, these items quickly add up. Plan these costs realistically to avoid surprises.

3. Use Bonuses Strategically

If the caregiver works overtime – for example night shifts or weekend shifts – this should be paid additionally. This fairly rewards the commitment and ensures transparent cost calculation.

4. Check Collective Agreements and Qualifications

Caregivers in collectively agreed institutions or with specialized further training often earn more – but this also reflects their experience and competence. For you, this means: higher costs can be worthwhile due to better quality of care and safety.

5. Plan a Buffer

Care cannot be planned like an office job. Illness, vacation, or unforeseen assignments occur. Plan a financial cushion so that you can always pay fairly and ensure stable care.

With these tips, you can calculate costs realistically and at the same time ensure that your caregiver is paid fairly. Everyone benefits: your relatives receive the best care, and the caregiver works motivated and appreciated.

Calculation Example for a Self-Employed Caregiver

Many caregivers consider self-employment to be more flexible. But appearances can be deceiving when looking at net income.

 

 

 

 

Fair pay is the foundation of good care – Lea knows this from her own experience. After completing her training, she was proud of her first job, but the question of her actual earnings would not leave her. At noracares, you are directly connected with facilities and negotiate your salary or fee without any agency commission. This creates fair, clear agreements that truly reflect your market value. With the right knowledge from noracares about salary, bonuses, and net amounts, Lea can now present herself confidently, plan her hours and shifts, and also talk about salary negotiations. For you as a caregiver, this means: you clearly see what you are entitled to and can actively shape your income.

For families, in turn, noracares makes it possible to calculate fair costs by connecting directly with self-employed caregivers (fee-based) or with agencies (transparent salary). This knowledge creates the assurance that their loved ones are cared for by caregivers who are fairly compensated and can perform their work with full dedication. This creates a win-win situation – good care for patients and appreciation for qualified nurses.

At norcares we support exactly this approach: we ensure that qualified nurses like Lea, whether in mobile care or in 24-hour care are paid fairly, receive transparent information about salary and bonuses, and that families have the assurance that their loved ones are in the best hands. Together, we are shaping care that is valued, transparent, and sustainable.

Create your free profile now on noracares.at and discover how care placement can be human, straightforward, and stress-free – entirely at your own pace.

 

 

• TVöD-P (Collective Agreement for the Public Sector – Nursing Sector): The most important framework for pay in public hospitals and care institutions. It guarantees fixed salary levels that automatically increase with years of service.
• Gross Salary vs. Net Salary: Gross salary is the amount before taxes and social security contributions are deducted. Net salary is the amount actually transferred to your account. In nursing, tax-free bonuses often make up a large part of the net income.
• Treatment Care: Medical services (e.g. injections, wound care) that require higher qualifications and often justify classification in higher pay groups.
• P7 to P15 (Pay Groups): The categories within the collective agreement. P7 is the standard group for certified qualified nurses; higher groups (P10+) are intended for specializations or management functions.
• Shift Allowance: A fixed monthly amount that caregivers receive if they regularly work rotating shifts (early, late, night).
• Tax-Free Bonuses: Compensation for working at “unfavorable” times (night, Sunday, public holiday). These amounts are paid out gross like net, as they are tax-free up to certain limits.
• AVR (Employment Contract Guidelines): The “counterpart” to the collective agreement for church organizations such as Caritas or Diakonie. Salaries here are often very close to those in the public sector.
• Nostrification: The process of state recognition of a foreign nursing qualification in Germany. Only after full recognition is classification as a qualified professional (and thus higher pay) granted.
• Fee: Compensation for self-employed caregivers. Unlike a salary, the entire social security (health, pension, long-term care insurance) as well as income tax must be paid independently from the fee.
• Care Allowance: An additional monthly payment anchored in the TVöD that is intended to financially compensate for the particular strain of working in the nursing profession.