Immigration. Travel. Living.

How to find work in Berlin? 

The number of those who are interested in working in Berlin and other German cities is increasing from year to year. Of course, immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa as well as residents of the former Soviet Union aspire there. A view of the capital and the largest city of Germany – Berlin.

It is not only about the fairly high standard of living in Germany, but also about the positive reputation of the country itself, where all laws are observed. People heading to work in Germany expect to receive not only high-paying jobs but also a high level of labor rights, protected with true German diligence and perseverance. 

Every migrant worker who leaves for Germany, and Berlin, in particular, should be interested in the basic nuances of employment. The average salary in Germany may be so tempting, but first, you need to get a job.

What is required?

In your country, to find a job at a particular place, you need to provide a certain package of documents. When you arrive in Berlin, it won’t be too different. However, take care of obtaining a German work visa and a work permit. Naturally, you will need to arrange everything in advance.

There is another scheme that allows you to get a job in Berlin officially. You need to find a Polish company that has contracts with companies in Germany. From a formal point of view, you find a job in Poland, and from there you are sent on a business trip to Berlin (or some other place). For an employee, the difference lies in the fact that the average salary under such a scheme is less than when officially going directly to the employing firm. However, this is an inevitable payback for simplifying visa procedures.

It is necessary to contact a specialized agency or use the services of newspapers and thematic sites to get, in the end, to contact that company or individual in Berlin who has suitable vacancies for you.

But on this, the selection of a workplace cannot be considered complete. Thoroughly discuss all the details of the vacancy with a foreign employer, read all the conditions that are offered to you. Subject to a mutual agreement, the next step is to get you a contract. Of course, knowledge of the German language is very important.

Even vacancies for unskilled workers in Germany imply proficiency in the state language at levels A1 or A2. And a job that is somehow good in terms of conditions of prestige and pay is unattainable for people who speak German at a level worse than B2.

Job seekers in a foreign land can hardly spend a lot of time and money on mastering the language. A compromise option is suitable for them: get a job in a relatively unqualified position and then, gradually accumulating money, pay for courses. Moreover, in the environment of native speakers, mastering it will go much faster than usual.

Salaries by profession

Oddly enough, but in Berlin, the highest wages are received by the people with the most work experience. According to statistics, people aged 60 and over earn an average of 57,900 euros per year and Berliners from 55 to 56,120 euros per year. The lowest salaries are among residents of this city in the age group from 20 to 25 years. Their average annual salary does not exceed 28,800 euros. People from 25 years old receive about 36,000 euros per year, and Berliners aged 30 to 40 years from 44,300 to 55,460 euros per year. The age group from 40 to 50 is characterized by average salaries of 55,400 to 57,600 euros per year.

Lowest wages

The lowest wages in Berlin are paid to representatives of industries such as:

  • Hotel and restaurant business. The average salary is 39,000 euros per year.
  • Educational sphere. People working in this industry in Berlin receive on average no more than 40,000 euros per year.
  • The sphere of tourism. The average annual salary rarely exceeds 42,000 euros.
  • Advertising. Marketers and advertising managers receive approximately 44,800 euros annually.
  • Social work. Social workers can expect a salary of up to 46,500 euros per year.
  • Hiring staff. Domestic staff (nannies, nurses, cooks, drivers, gardeners, and others) earn up to 47,200 euros per year.
  • Public administration branch. Civil service employees receive salaries that are not very high by German standards – about 47,600 euros per year. 
  • Wholesale and retail trade. Representatives of this sector receive about 51,000 euros per year for their work. Berliners with no qualifications or no education at all can find a job only for the minimum wage – 37,600 euros per year.

Berliners with no qualifications or no education at all can find a job only for the minimum wage – 37,600 euros per year.

High-paying industries

The highest salaries are received by specialists working in such industries as: 

  • Chemical industry – 68,000 euros per year
  • Oil refining – 68,200 euros per year
  • Pharmaceuticals – 67,600 euros per year
  • Air services – 67,500 euros per year
  • Automotive industry – 67,500 euros per year
  • Banking sector – 67,400 euros per year
  • Telecommunications industry – 66,600 euros per year
  • Mechanical engineering industry – 66,100 euros per year
  • Medical sector – 75-80 thousand euros per year
  • Production of goods and services – 64,850 euros per year
  • Sale of electricity and gas – 64,900 euros per year

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