Banking on the Bundeswehr: How much does a soldier or officer earn in Germany's military force?
- Written by Lennard Worobic
- Approximately 3 Min read
Remuneration for Soldiers in German Military: Exploring Their Earnings - "Military service results in expected consequences"
The Bundeswehr is pulling out all the stops to bring in fresh recruits, as Brussels ramps up the pressure for more troops. NATO defense ministers recently agreed on new capability targets for member states, with Secretary-General Mark Rutte praising the decision as the largest rearmament program in decades.
According to Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), the Bundeswehr needs a whopping 60,000 more soldiers to meet the new goals. Currently, around 182,000 men and women are serving in uniform, as reported by the Ministry of Defense in March.
But is the Bundeswehr an attractive employer for the youth of today? Let's explore.
Laufbahn/Berufsgruppe
What's it take to join the ranks?
Brutto-Monatsgehalt*
The Bundeswehr offers over 1,000 professions, catering to those who don't aspire to be soldiers. Here are the requirements for enlistment:
- A school-leaving certificate isn't mandatory for joining the enlisted ranks. Main school graduates can aim for a career as non-commissioned officers, and with a completed vocational training, they can progress to a sergeant. Those aiming for a university education need the Fachhochschulreife or Abitur, just like in a regular university.
Mannschaften
Salary for soldiers and officers
2700 € - 3500 €
So, what can a soldier expect to earn in the Bundeswehr? The Bundeswehr pays according to the Federal Wage Act (BBesG), with both rank and experience determining the basic salary.
Enlisted personnel, including soldiers and non-commissioned officers (without rank insignia), fall under salary scale A. Most fall under A, with the range for new recruits to colonels or captains at sea spanning from A3 to A16. Special cases, such as generals or admirals, are considered under salary scale B.
Unteroffiziere (ohne Portepee)
Pay scale A features various levels of experience (1 to 8), with promotions usually happening every two to four years. Outstanding achievements can grant soldiers the basic salary of the next higher level prematurely.
2800 € - 3700 €
| | Career/Professional Group | Gross Monthly Salary* ||-----------------------|----------------------------|-----------------------|| Enlisted ranks | 2700 € - 3500 € || Non-commissioned officers (without rank insignia) | 2800 € - 3700 € || Non-commissioned officers (with rank insignia/sergeants) | 3000 € - 4650 € || Officers (Second Lieutenant to Captain) | 3450 € - 5300 € || Senior officers (Major to Colonel) | 5900 € - 9600 € || Generals | 11,300 € - 16,200 € |
*Rounded gross salary according to the Bundeswehr. The salary ranges result from different pay groups and levels of experience. An overview for individual ranks can be found on the Bundeswehr website.
Unteroffiziere (mit Portepee/Feldwebel)
The term "rank insignia" refers to a higher rank among non-commissioned officers.
3000 € - 4650 €
Allowances, bonuses, and benefits
There are additional allowances that can significantly boost a soldier's income. For example, the family allowance ranges from nearly 200 to over 400 euros per child, depending on the number of children.
Offiziere (Leutnant bis Hauptmann)
Other allowances are available for special functions like pilots or ammunition experts, as well as for physical or psychological strains, dangers, or temporary impairments.
3450 € - 5300 €
Soldiers participating in foreign deployments are entitled to a foreign service allowance, with figures ranging from 48 to 145 euros per day. Additionally, soldiers permanently stationed abroad can receive 1,000 to 6,000 euros per month, and separation allowance is available if the family remains behind.
After their service in the German Armed Forces, conscripts are reinsured in the statutory pension insurance scheme; the federal government covers the contributions in full based on the income during the service period. Career soldiers, however, receive a pension under the Soldiers' Provision Act (SVG), which can amount to up to 71.75% of the service-related pensionable income.
Stabsoffiziere (Major bis Oberst)
The height of the pension depends on individual service time and the last salary.
5900 € - 9600 €
A temporary growth spurt for the troops
While many military service candidates are tempted by the offer of free train tickets if they wear their uniform during travel, it's important to remember that, like civil servants, soldiers waive the right to strike.
Generale
Moreover, the period of commitment for uniform wearers can range from several years to more than a decade, depending on the career path. For the first time since 2016, the Bundeswehr is currently enjoying a growth spurt, largely due to an increase in voluntary military service performers (FWDL). However, the number of career soldiers is only slightly increasing, while the number of conscripts is stagnant.
11.300 € - 16.200 €
Discussions about reintroducing conscription are becoming louder in federal politics. Defense Minister Pistorius currently opposes this and still relies on voluntarism. His reasoning: "Conscription is of no use now because we do not have the capacities neither in the barracks nor in training. Therefore, these capacities must grow." There is still a lot of work ahead for the Bundeswehr to reach NATO targets.
Sources: Bundeswehr (1), Bundeswehr (2), Bundeswehr (3), Bundeswehr (4), Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat, "Bild", news agency AFP
- The Ministry of Defence, under Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, is seeking to attract more recruits as the Bundeswehr aims to meet NATO's new troop targets.
- In addition to military roles, the Bundeswehr provides an extensive range of career opportunities in various professions, appealing to those interested in pursuing a career beyond the battlefield.
- Regardless of whether one chooses a military or corporate career path, understanding the financial aspects, such as salaries, allowances, and bonuses, is crucial in making informed decisions about the future.
