The mechanical engineer salary in 2026 ranges between €45,000 (entry level) and €78,000 (senior level). However, this salary range is only the tip of the iceberg because, in addition to engineer salary development, region, industry, and further education play a decisive role. According to a VDI study, mechanical engineers start with an average salary of €52,972, while electrical engineers already earn €54,500 at entry level, and software engineers start at €65,000.
This salary report provides detailed data on engineer salaries with 5 years of experience (€60,000–€68,000), engineer salaries with 10 years of experience (€72,000–€85,000), as well as a comprehensive salary comparison of engineers by specialization. Check your current market value for cities such as Munich, Hamburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia, and realistically compare your salary with the labor market
Electrical Engineer Salary 2026 – Salary Leader in Tech Sector
Electrical engineers are the silent heroes of the engineering market in 2026, and it pays off. The average electrical engineer salary ranges from €58,000 (entry level) to €85,000 (senior level), which is 11% higher than mechanical engineers with the same level of experience. The reason is strong demand driven by Industry 4.0, e-mobility, and renewable energy.
COMPARISON: Electrical vs. Mechanical vs. IT
| Discipline | Entry-Level | 5 Years | 10 Years | Industry Advantage |
| Electrical Engineer | €54,500* | €70,000 | €82,000 | Industry 4.0, Energy |
| Mechanical Engineer | €52,972 | €65,000 | €78,000 | Automotive, Production |
| Software Engineer | €65,000 | €78,000 | €95,000 | IT, Startups |
Regional Top Values for Electrical Engineers:
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- Munich: €62,000 (entry-level) – thanks to high-tech industry
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- Stuttgart: €61,000 – Porsche, Bosch, Daimler pay premium
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- Hamburg: €58,000 – high demand due to wind power
Insider Tip: Electrical engineers with a “Functional Safety (TÜV)” certificate earn +€9,000/year more. This is one of the highest ROIs in Engineering Continuing Education Career.
Entry-Level Engineer Salary 2026 – For Graduates & Career Changers
The Entry-Level Engineer Salary 2026 is the most fiercely contested value – and most important for your career planning. The median is €52,972, but the range is wide: From €45,000 (civil engineering) to €65,000 (software/IT). The decisive factor? Industry > Region > University Degree
ENTRY-LEVEL SALARY 2026 BY DEGREE:
| Degree | Median | Top Companies | Regional Peak |
| Software/IT | €65,000 | Google, SAP (€75k+) | Munich |
| Electrical | €54,500 | Siemens, Bosch (€60k+) | Stuttgart |
| Mechanical | €52,972 | BMW, VW (€58k+) | Wolfsburg |
| Civil | €45,000 | Hochtief, Bilfinger (€50k+) | Hamburg |
| Industrial | €53,500 | McKinsey, BCG (€65k+) | Berlin |
Career Changer Strategy:
Without a classic engineering degree but with technician training + 3 years work experience, you start at €48,000. With additional continuing education (e.g., Bachelor Professional), you rise to €55,000.
How to Negotiate Your Entry-Level Salary 2026:
1. Apply for Blue Card (if non-EU) – shows qualification
2. Mention dual study program: +15% salary advantage
Engineer Salary with 5 Years of Experience – The Career Breakthrough
The 5-year mark is the hottest phase of Engineer Salary Development. Between years 3-5, salary jumps by an average of +18-22%. Why? Because you move from “Junior” to “Professional” – and you must use this jump.
What does an engineer earn after 5 years?
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- Mechanical Engineer Salary 5 Years: €60,000–€68,000 (Median €64,000)
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- Electrical Engineer Salary 5 Years: €65,000–€75,000 (Median €70,000)
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- Software Engineer 5 Years: €72,000–€85,000 (Median €78,000)
Regional Comparison (5 Years Experience):
| Region | Mechanical | Electrical | Software |
| Munich | €68,000 | €75,000 | €85,000 |
| Stuttgart | €65,000 | €73,000 | €82,000 |
| NRW | €60,000 | €68,000 | €75,000 |
| Leipzig | €55,000 | €62,000 | €70,000 |
Salary Jump Tactics (5-Year Point):
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- Change companies: +15-20% salary jump possible
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- Get certified: PMP (+€8k), AI (+€11k)
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- International projects: +€5,000 bonus
Find suitable engineering jobs here
Engineer with 10 Years of Experience – Senior-Level Benchmark
With 10 years of experience, you’re senior – and salary levels jump massively again. The median is €76,000, but the peak is breathtaking: €95,000+ in software, €85,000 in electrical engineering.
Engineer with 10 Years Experience: What You Really Earn
| Discipline | Median | Top 25% | Top 10% | Industry Peak |
| Software | €82,000 | €90,000 | €105,000 | Google, SAP |
| Electrical | €76,000 | €83,000 | €95,000 | Siemens, Bosch |
| Mechanical | €72,000 | €78,000 | €88,000 | BMW, VW |
| Civil | €68,000 | €74,000 | €82,000 | Hochtief, Züblin |
What 10 years of experience brings:
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- HR responsibility: +€12,000
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- Project leadership: +€8,000
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- MBA or Master’s: +€15,000
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- International experience: +€7,000
Switch bonus: After 10 years, changing companies can get you +20% – that’s €15,000 more than internal promotion.
Engineer Salary Development – Key Career Milestones
Engineer Salary Development isn’t a straight line – it’s jumps at specific career milestones. According to VDI database, engineers rise every 3-4 years by 15-20% – if actively managed.
Salary Trajectory (Model Calculation):
Year 0 (Entry): €52,972
Year 3 (Junior): €58,000 (+9%)
Year 5 (Professional):€65,000 (+12%) ← Critical jump
Year 7 (Senior): €72,000 (+11%)
Year 10 (Expert): €80,000 (+11%)
Year 15 (Lead): €90,000 (+12%)
Year 20 (Director):€105,000 (+17%)
What accelerates development:
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- Change every 5 years: +20% instead of +12%
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- Certification (PMP, AI): +€8-11k
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- Leadership role: +€12-15k
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- Geographic change (Munich): +€7k
The “Standstill Trap”: Staying 5+ years in same company without promotion grows only 6-8% – that’s inflation loss.
Mechanical Engineering Salary Report – Special Analysis 2026
The Mechanical Engineering Salary Report 2026 shows: The industry is stable but not spectacular. Entry-level salary is €45,000-€52,972, but after 10 years only €72,000-€78,000 are possible. In comparison: Electrical engineering and IT grow faster.
Mechanical Engineering: Strong in Regions
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- Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart): €55,000 (entry-level) – Automotive pays premium
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- Bavaria (Munich): €53,000 – but higher cost of living
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- NRW (Dortmund): €48,000 – Industry 4.0 growing, but salaries stagnating
Pro tip for mechanical engineers: Switch to production automation (Industry 4.0) – that brings +€8,000 at entry-level.
FAQ: Salary Comparison for Engineers
How much more do engineers earn than technicians?
Engineers earn about +28% more than technicians in 2026 (€68K vs €53K). After 10 years, the gap increases to +35% due to higher responsibility and specialization.
Is a Master’s degree worth it?
Yes. Master graduates start with about €5,000 higher annual salaries and maintain a ~15% long-term advantage, especially in research-heavy and leadership roles.
Do engineering disciplines earn differently?
Yes. Software and Electrical Engineering pay the highest on average, with Mechanical close behind. Market demand drives these differences.
How much does experience impact salary?
Strongly. Salaries rise fastest in the first 3–5 years, and by year 10+, senior engineers earn well above national median levels due to expertise and leadership duties.
Do regions in Germany affect salaries?
Yes. Cities like Munich, Stuttgart, and Hamburg offer higher salaries due to strong industries and higher living costs