Salaries in academia: What academics earn in Germany

Since 1 January 2005, professors in Germany can only be appointed to a post based on the W scale. Junior professors are appointed on the W1 salary scale with a basic salary of 3,405.34 euros. W2 professors receive a basic salary of 3,890.03 euros, W3 professors a basic salary of 4,723.61 euros. Basic salaries as minimum remuneration are pensionable and are subject to general salary adjustments (index-linking). Unlike the C salary scale, there are no increases based on length of service on the W salary scale. Family allowances may be added to the basic salaries. At level 1 (married), the family allowance is 105.28 euros. Child-related family allowance is 90.05 euros each for the first and second child. For the third and any subsequent children, the family allowance increases by 230.58 euros (salary as at August 2004). In some federal states, salary adjustments have however already been made in recent months.

For civil servants employed in the new federal states, pay is also determined by the second transitional remuneration ordinance ("Zweite Besoldungs-Übergangsverordnung"). Civil servants who are not employed in the new federal states from their initial appointment, but who are or were already employed in civil service posts in the former West Germany, receive "West" pay. Civil servants appointed for the first time in the new federal states receive "East" pay, which currently amounts to 92.5 per cent of salaries for the former West Germany. These civil servants may obtain a pensionable allowance amounting to the difference between "East" and "West" pay if they are appointed based on qualifications acquired in the former West Germany (for professors: degree, doctorate and postdoctoral lecture qualification ("Habilitation") or equivalent research) and where there is an urgent official requirement to recruit them. The same applies to the appointment of academics with qualifications acquired abroad. They can likewise receive the difference between "East" and "West" pay if there is an urgent official requirement for their appointment.

Professors who hold a post in accordance with federal salary regulations C will remain in this remuneration scheme and will continue to move up to higher grades based on length of service. Increases to their salary through allowances or special allowances for C4 posts are however not legally permitted. If "C professors" wish to move to another university, they must switch to a W-salaried post upon accepting the post and their appointment. The same applies if professors wish to conclude a loyalty agreement with their existing university covering an increase to their salary. In this case, professors must also switch to a post on the W federal remuneration scheme.

Performance bonuses

Performance bonuses may be added to W2 and W3 basic salaries. As defined in Section 33 (1) of the Federal Civil Service Remuneration Act (BBesG), professors may receive performance bonuses:

1. in connection with appointment and loyalty negotiations,
2. for special achievements in research, teaching, the arts, training or supporting junior researchers, as well as
3. for performing functions or special tasks relating to university administration or management.