Chemical industry pays high salaries
The industry beckons not only with high starting salaries, but also with interesting salary perspectives. Particularly the so-called key industries have been known for years for their high salary levels. Unsurprisingly, salary negotiations tend to go more smoothly where businesses are doing well. Young researchers in the chemical industry earn the highest incomes: career starters make around 50,000 euros here, while top earners may even reach annual salaries of over 56,000 euros. Above-average salaries are also paid in the aviation industry (49,400 euros), in the semi-conductor industry (47,850 euros), in the automotive sector (46,700 euros) and at software companies (44,400 euros).
But not all industries pay equally well, as the analysis also shows. Industries with lower pay include research institutes, but also the food industry (39,600 euros), the healthcare sector (38,800 euros) and biotechnology (37,800 euros).
A doctorate pays off
Graduates in science subjects often follow up their degree with a doctorate. That may cost time and create stress, but it also brings a significantly higher salary: career starters with a doctorate can already earn an annual salary of almost 48,000 euros at the beginning of their career. By comparison, a Master's degree brings in just under 43,000 euros, a university Diplom 42,400 euros and a degree from a university of applied sciences 42,000 euros.
More experience, more money
Salaries rise with increasing professional experience. The differences in pay however vary very little: researchers with up to five years of experience earn on average 44,200 euros a year at research institutions, while their colleagues in companies in the chemical industry already earn an average of 62,800 euros a year and top earners achieve annual incomes of over 70,000 euros.
There are many good reasons to embark on a career in academia. Compared to a similar role in industry however, the annual salaries even of German professors are on average significantly lower. So for those to whom money is the most important factor, the research industry is the place to be.
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