29 Jan. Unmasking the Pay Mystery: Equip Yourself and Claim Your Worth in Germany
Why Germans Avoid Talking About Money
If you’re used to open conversations about salary, Germany might feel a bit like you’ve entered a secret society. In most German companies, discussing your wage openly—even with close friends or your partner—is often frowned upon or directly forbidden by your employment contract. This culture of silence can be confusing and even frustrating, especially when you want to make a well-informed decision during your job search.
Despite the recent push for more salary transparency with new legislation, the reality in German offices is still: money matters stay behind closed doors. The legal right to discuss salary is rarely mentioned, and even less often encouraged. This can make it tough for international experts to gauge what’s fair—especially when employers ask you to state your desired salary during the interview process.
The Risk of Selling Yourself Short
Without clear benchmarks, many highly qualified overseas candidates risk aiming too low. If you name a salary expectation that’s under market value, German employers will rarely correct you. They may even see your number as a sign of insecurity or lack of knowledge about the local market.
Practical Resources to Avoid the Trap
Equip yourself before interviews. There are reliable resources in English that can help you research realistic salary ranges:
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- Paylab.com and Glassdoor.de: Both offer salary overviews and real employee reviews.
- LinkedIn Salary: Use it to research salaries for your profession in Germany.
- Expat forums and communities: Sites like Toytown Germany or Reddit’s r/germany host real stories from people in your shoes.
- Company career pages: Some international firms share salary bands in English directly on their sites.
Profiting from Local Insight
Benefit from the practical knowledge of Bernd Wenske, who truly understands your situation and prepares you for interviews to secure the best possible deal.
Ready for the next step? Find more on the Talents page!
„When salary is a secret, the best you can do is come prepared with trusted insights and confidence.“ Bernd Wenske
When the interviewer hits you with “What’s your desired salary?”, you don’t need to freeze. These five options give you clear ways to answer without boxing yourself in.
No Exact Number? No Problem.
Sample answer:
“Honestly, I haven’t got a fixed number in mind. Lately, I’ve been earning somewhere between €50,000 and €60,000.”
Why it works:
You stay open but still give a useful ballpark. Good when you don’t want to commit too early.
Open and Flexible.
Sample answer:
“I’m pretty flexible and happy to find something reasonable together. Most recently, I’ve been on €100,000 to €120,000.”
Why it works:
Shows cooperation while still signaling your level. No hard demands, no underselling.
After Doing Your Homework.
Sample answer:
“Based on what I’ve seen and my experience, I’m open to talking about something in the range of [your researched figures].”
Why it works:
You show preparation, and you anchor the conversation in real market data.
Tip: Let your lowest number match what they’d see as their upper end.
Ask Back for Their Range.
“Well, it depends a lot on other things—like benefits and the job itself. What kind of salary range do you have in mind for a role like this?”
Why it works:
You shift the question back to them without sounding defensive. Helps you avoid going too low.
Get More Details First.
Sample answer:
“Would you mind telling me a bit more about the main responsibilities and goals before I mention my salary expectations?”
Why it works:
You make sure you understand the scope before naming a number. Keeps you from undervaluing yourself.
Pro Tips
- In Germany, bonuses like a “13th salary” can be part of the package. Ask early enough.
- You don’t have to give the first number. “What’s your usual salary band for this role?” works fine.
- Check online tools and talk to peers or other internationals; better info means better negotiation.
TL;DR
In Germany, salary talk is often kept secret, even among colleagues and close friends. So international professionals can feel unsure about what’s fair in job interviews. The blog explains why this is, how to avoid selling yourself short, and shares useful English-language resources for salary research. It also gives five friendly, ready-to-use answers for when you’re asked about your desired salary, plus pro tips to help you negotiate with confidence in interviews.