In 2025 nominal wages in Germany were 4.2 % higher than in 2024, while consumer prices rose 2.2 % over the same period. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), real wages grew 1.9 % in 2025 relative to the previous year, marking a rebound after declines from 2020 to 2023. The real‑wage index, measured with 2025 as the base year (100), reached 100 points-virtually the same level as in 2019 at 100.5 points.
By economic sector, the largest increases in nominal wages came in finance and insurance services (+5.7 %), freelance, scientific and technical services (+5.3 %), and education and training (+5.0 %). The mining and quarrying sector (+2.8 %), agriculture, forestry and fishing (+3.3 %), and manufacturing (+3.3 %) saw comparatively modest gains.
Overall, the salaries of full‑time workers rose 4.3 % from the previous year. Women’s average nominal wage growth was stronger than men’s, at 4.8 % versus 4.1 %. Low‑earners again displayed the largest increases: the lowest quintile of full‑time earners enjoyed a 6.0 % rise, the highest quintile only 3.7 %. Apprentices experienced an above‑average growth of 6.3 %, whereas part‑time workers saw a modest 0.5 % increase.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, real wages increased by 1.9 % compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. This growth combines a 4.1 % nominal wage rise and a 2.2 % rise in consumer prices. Notably high wage gains occurred in real estate and housing (+8.1 %), education and training (+6.7 %), and finance and insurance services (+6.5 %).