Germany wage gap: Foreign workers earn 23.6% less than German nationals

Data from the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs reveals a significant income gap between German nationals and foreign full-time employees. As of late 2025, the median monthly gross wage for German workers was €4,396, while foreign employees earned a median of €3,358, representing a 23.6 percent disparity.

The gap has remained relatively stable since 2020, fluctuating between 23.1 and 25.5 percent. Discrepancies are particularly evident in the low-wage sector: approximately 30.6 percent of foreign full-time workers earn less than €2,811 per month, compared to only 12.3 percent of German workers.

While political figures from the AfD have used these figures to criticize government immigration policies, the Federal Employment Agency and the government attribute the wage differences to factors such as education, professional qualifications, and work experience. Research from the Institute for Employment Research suggests the gap is largely due to foreign nationals being less frequently employed in high-paying industries or positions.