Are you a foreign-trained doctor exploring career opportunities in Germany? One of the most frequently asked questions at Rohit Batra Teach is: How much do doctors earn in Germany in 2025?
In this updated guide, we break down doctor salaries in Germany based on experience, specialization, job title, state, gender, and more. Whether you're just beginning your medical career or planning to specialize, this guide will help you understand your financial outlook as a doctor in Germany.
š What Determines a Doctor's Salary in Germany?
Doctor salaries in Germany are primarily governed by collective agreements known as Tarifverträge. These define fixed salary scales based on experience and position.
The two most important ones are:
- TV-Ćrzte VKA ā for municipal hospitals
- TV-Ćrzte TdL ā for university hospitals
Each year of experience adds a fixed amount to your base salary. This structure ensures predictability and fairness across the public healthcare sector.
š” Want to understand how these contracts impact your Approbation or residency application? Read our guide on growth of a doctors salary in Germany ā
š¼ Doctor Salary in Germany by Work Experience (2025)
The salary report shows that both the position and professional experience strongly influence doctors' salaries - higher positions and more professional experience lead to higher salaries.Ā
A doctor with less than one year of professional experience earns 62,000 euros, doctors with six to ten years of professional experience can expect a gross median salary of 102,000 euros, while doctors with more than 10 years of experience earn up to 121,750 euros per year.
Work Experience | Gross Median Salary |
---|---|
Less than 1 year | ā¬62,000 |
1ā2 years | ā¬65,250 |
3ā5 years | ā¬80,500 |
6ā10 years | ā¬102,000 |
More than 10 years | ā¬121,750 |
Source: StepStone Gehaltsreport 2025
š§° Salary by Job Title (2025)
According to the StepStone report, doctors remain among theĀ top-earning professions in Germany, with earnings more than double the national average of ā¬48,500.
Job Title | Gross Median Salary |
---|---|
Assistant Doctor | ā¬65,250 |
General Doctor | ā¬80,500 |
Specialist | ā¬97,000 |
Senior Physician | ā¬130,750 |
Source: StepStone Gehaltsreport 2025
Career level and professional experience are two essential factors in determining how high a doctor's salary is.
Doctors' career levels are divided into assistant doctor or Assistenzarzt, specialist doctor orĀ Facharzt, (senior) consultant or Oberarzt, and chief physician or Chefarzt. Chief physicians earn the most, followed by senior physicians and specialists. Assistant doctors are career starters and earn the least salary in comparison. They are also referred to as doctors in further training or Arzt in Weiterbildung, as they complete a medical residency programme that lasts five to six years.
š” Want to know more about the requirements of gaining an Approbation? Read here aboutĀ getting started with a medical career in Germany ā
š Regional Differences in Doctor Salaries
Doctors working inĀ Western and Southern Germany generally earn more than those in Eastern regions.
Region | Median Salary |
---|---|
Bremen | ā¬104,500 |
Hamburg | ā¬101,500 |
Baden-Württemberg | ā¬101,250 |
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | ā¬96,500 |
Sachsen-Anhalt | ā¬94,000 |
Rheinland-Pfalz | ā¬93,500 |
Source: StepStone Gehaltsreport 2025
The region has a significant influence on the salary of doctors in Germany. Salaries tend to be higher in areas such as Bremen (104,500 euros), Hamburg (101,500 euros) and Baden-Württemberg (101,250 euros). In contrast, salaries are lower in the eastern federal states, such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (96,500 euros) and Saxony-Anhalt (94,000 euros). The federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate brings up the rear regarding doctors' salaries with a gross annual median salary of 93,500 euros.
Ā can vary widely based on the medical establishment, amount of tax deducted and the role and stage of the medical career. Read about the post-tax or "net" salary of a doctor in Germany here āĀ
š° Gender Pay Gap for Doctors in 2025
The medical field still reflects a significant gender gap:
- Male Doctors Median: ā¬98,750
- Female Doctors Median: ā¬68,510
- Gap: ā¬30,240 (or 27.1%)
Even after adjusting for qualifications and role types, the gender gap remains at 9.7%.
š Doctors vs Other Top-Paying Jobs in Germany (2025)
According to the 2025 Salary Report, doctors are among the highest-earning occupational groups in Germany. Their median gross income is 98,750 euros, more than twice the average salary of all full-time employees.
Job Title | Median Salary |
---|---|
Senior Physician | ā¬130,750 |
Specialist | ā¬97,000 |
Senior Consultant | ā¬77,250 |
Sales Director | ā¬72,250 |
Management Consultant | ā¬70,750 |
Source: StepStone Gehaltsreport 2025
š How RBT Can Help You Earn This Salary
At Rohit Batra Teach, we specialize in guiding foreign doctors through every step of the journey ā from qualification recognition to securing a medical residency and long-term career.
ā With our Accelerator Program, we help you:
- Get your Defizitbescheid faster and save months of waiting
- Apply for correct visa (e.g., §16d Visa for foreign doctors)
- Learn medical German with certified trainers
- Prepare for FSP and KP exams with expert coaching
- Residency position placementĀ with tailored interview prep
š Designed for ambitious doctors, our goal is to help you settle faster and start earning a great salary in Germany.
š FAQs ā Doctor Salary in Germany
How much does a resident doctor earn in Germany in 2025?
Around ā¬65,000 gross annually, depending on experience and state.
Is the salary enough to live comfortably?
Yes. Net income after taxes and social contributions still offers a good quality of life.
Where do doctors earn the most in Germany?
Bremen, Hamburg, and Baden-Württemberg rank highest for doctor salaries.
How does gender affect salary in the medical field?
A significant gap remains, with female doctors earning ~27% less on average.
Can RBT help me apply for a residency position?
Absolutely. From language training to job prep, we support you at every step.
Final Thoughts
Germany offers one of the most stable and rewarding medical career pathways for international doctors. With structured growth, generous benefits, and a secure environment, it remains a top destination for foreign-trained professionals.
Ready to start your journey? Letās connect and make your medical career in Germany a reality.
š Last Updated: April 2025
(Based on StepStone Gehaltsreport 2025)
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