How much does an electrician earn?

Electricians plan, install and maintain electrical systems – from building installation and industrial plants to photovoltaics, automation and networks. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements, specialisation and employer. As a guide, qualified electricians in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,300–€3,900 gross per month; during apprenticeship around €1,010–€1,340 is typical.

Comic illustration of an electrician with tools and a switchgear cabinet at an electrical installation
Created with AI assistance and editorially reviewed

Salary by region (gross/month)

Region
Apprenticeship (gross/month)
Qualified (gross/month)
Baden-WΓΌrttemberg
1.120–1.460 €
3.650–4.450 €
Bavaria
1.110–1.450 €
3.600–4.400 €
Berlin
1.040–1.360 €
3.300–4.020 €
Brandenburg
970–1.250 €
2.980–3.620 €
Bremen
1.030–1.340 €
3.280–3.980 €
Hamburg
1.090–1.430 €
3.620–4.420 €
Hesse
1.080–1.410 €
3.520–4.280 €
Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
940–1.210 €
2.900–3.500 €
Lower Saxony
1.020–1.330 €
3.260–3.960 €
North Rhine-Westphalia
1.070–1.390 €
3.450–4.180 €
Rhineland-Palatinate
1.010–1.310 €
3.180–3.860 €
Saarland
1.000–1.300 €
3.160–3.840 €
Saxony
960–1.230 €
2.940–3.560 €
Saxony-Anhalt
940–1.210 €
2.880–3.480 €
Schleswig-Holstein
1.000–1.300 €
3.200–3.880 €
Thuringia
940–1.210 €
2.890–3.490 €
Germany (average)
1.030–1.340 €
3.320–4.000 €

Guide figures as of 2026. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, specialisation, employer, region and experience and is not a guarantee.

Further training options

Option
Duration
Salary impact
Foreman / team lead (electrical)
Experience plus seminar (weeks)
often €3,600–€4,300
Specialisation photovoltaics and storage systems
Weeks to several months
often €3,550–€4,250
Building automation / KNX / smart home
Weeks to months
often €3,600–€4,400
Master electrician (Elektromeister)
approx. 1–2 years
often €4,200–€5,600
State-certified technician in electrical engineering
approx. 2 years
often €4,300–€5,700
Business administrator (HwO) / self-employment
approx. 1–3 years
often €4,400–€6,000

Job and everyday work

An electrician works on electrical systems in buildings, industry or energy supply: installing, testing, maintaining and troubleshooting. Everyday work includes reading circuit diagrams, following safety rules, coordinating with customers and construction sites, and using measuring and test equipment – often under deadline pressure and at changing locations.

  • Plan, install and commission electrical systems – from distribution boards and wiring to controls and drives.
  • Use measuring and test equipment, find and fix faults, and prepare documentation and test reports.
  • Follow occupational safety and standards: de-energise, secure and protect against re-energising.
  • Coordinate with customers, site management and other trades; read and implement circuit diagrams and parts lists.
  • Maintenance and servicing of systems, emergency call-outs and retrofits are part of everyday work.
  • Maintain tools and measuring devices, plan material needs and meet quality standards.

Show electrician jobs in the Eifel (24)