It is a thought that persists: One day you will earn more with a university degree than with dual vocational training. But what does that look like in reality?
Earning as much money as possible one day: This is also a criterion that young people use to guide them when choosing a career. The assumption that graduates earn more than employees without a degree is widespread. But that is only partially true.
A look at the data from the Federal Employment Agency shows: As of December 31, 2020, the average gross monthly wage for full-time employees subject to social security contributions with an academic degree was 5,265 euros. For people who have completed vocational training, this figure was 3,300 euros.
But: “That doesn’t mean that people who have completed their studies earn more and more money,” explains Matthias Hertle from the Federal Employment Agency in Nuremberg.
Markus Kiss, training expert at the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) in Berlin, agrees. “In individual cases, it depends entirely on which course of study or training you complete,” says Kiss. And by no means everyone with a university degree will one day be among the top earners. The very good earnings of doctors and engineers, for example, significantly raise the average salary for those with academic qualifications.
Graduates of other courses were in some cases significantly lower. Markus Kiss gives an example: “Whereas an engineer in aerospace receives an average starting salary of around 5700 euros gross, an architect has an average of just 3500 euros on the salary slip at the beginning of their working life.”
However, anyone who starts their professional life with an apprenticeship, continues their education over the years on the job and acquires additional qualifications can one day “take up a prominent position in companies and institutions”, as Matthias Hertle says. This could lead to a wage development, as a result of which the salary is ultimately higher than the salary of many people with a university degree.
An advantage of an apprenticeship: Young people – in contrast to many students – receive early payment in the form of a fixed salary. “In the construction industry, for example, there are up to 1,400 euros gross in the third year of training,” says Markus Kiss.
Students, on the other hand, have to finance their studies themselves or are dependent on student loans. Many academics only start working in their mid or late 20s and then often have to pay off their student loans first. People with dual training already have a clear financial advantage. “Many people with a university degree often only succeed in closing this gap at the end of their working lives,” says Kiss.
However, there are also professions that require school-based training that are by no means always remunerated. There may even be course fees. “Under certain conditions, the trainees can apply for student loans in such cases,” says Matthias Hertle.
Apart from that, the starting salary of trained specialists is often higher than assumed: Bank clerks, for example, can expect a gross salary of up to 3,400 euros after their vocational training and depending on the company and region.
Aircraft mechanics already earn around 3100 euros at the beginning of their working life. “These are all starting salaries, with continuous training there can also be an increase in income,” says Matthias Hertle.
According to Markus Kiss, a trained industrial mechanic receives around 2,600 euros gross per month at the beginning of his or her working life. With a subsequent qualification in higher vocational training, for example as an industrial foreman, monthly starting salaries of up to 4400 euros gross would then be achieved.
Conclusion: When choosing an apprenticeship or course of study, it naturally depends on your own preferences and inclinations. However, studying does not automatically guarantee that you will later earn a lot of money or in any case more than with vocational training.
“Even when it comes to job opportunities and job security, university graduates don’t necessarily have the better cards,” says Markus Kiss. Most recently, according to him, the unemployment rate for academically educated people was 2.0 percent. In contrast, the unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for skilled workers who have qualified as master craftsmen or technicians after completing their vocational training. “The bottom line is that a career path via vocational training can be a worthwhile alternative to studying.”
According to the DIHK, academics and people who have completed higher vocational training (such as master craftsmen, business administrators or technicians) have earned about the same amount on average at the end of their working lives: around 1.4 million euros gross.
The pay atlas of the Federal Employment Agency provides an overview of the training occupations in which good money can be earned. There are also differences in income levels between the federal states. Atberufenet, also an online service from the Federal Employment Agency, you will find general information about possible remuneration in an apprenticeship as well as course fees and other possible costs.
