Crafts in the Southwest: High-earning professions clear up prejudices!

Crafts in the Southwest: High-earning professions clear up prejudices!

As part of a new remuneration study carried out by the eight chambers of crafts in southwest Germany, the earning potential in the craft sector is examined. This study comes to the conclusion that professions such as glaziers, electrical engineers, vehicle builders and roofers are among the better paid jobs in the craft sector. Despite the traditional image of crafts, often associated with noise, dirt and low pay, the study shows that crafts compare favorably with other major industries, particularly when considering earning potential. The aim of this study is to refute widespread prejudices about low pay in the skilled trades, as Stuttgarter Nachrichten reports.

Compared to all sectors, the skilled trades are in the middle range when it comes to income, especially for employees without a university degree. According to an analysis by Handwerk.com, all sectors earn an average of 43,300 euros gross annually, while skilled trades earn 41,500 euros gross annually. This difference of 1,800 euros corresponds to around 150 euros per month. The size of the company also plays a role: in companies with fewer than 50 employees, salaries in the skilled trades are even lower at around 39,750 euros gross per year.

A look at other salary factors

A look at the salary differences shows that a university degree acts as a salary driver. For employees without such a qualification, the wage gap is estimated to be 350 euros gross per year. Salaries vary considerably from region to region. In cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Bavaria the wage gap appears to be significantly larger, while Lower Saxony and Saarland show smaller differences. This means that craftsmen's incomes can vary greatly depending on the region.

Another important aspect highlighted in the study is that salary information does not provide a complete picture of the situation. It is not broken down by industry, but rather focuses on the activity. This ignores many relevant factors such as professional qualifications. Nevertheless, a survey by the Ludwig Fröhler Institute shows that the average income of a master craftsman is almost 4,000 euros gross per month, while the maximum possible remuneration can even be between 6,000 and 8,500 euros gross per month. The craft researchers come to the conclusion that the skilled trades offer relatively good pay compared to the salaries of employees with a bachelor's or technical degree.

In summary, it can be said that the remuneration study presents a positive perspective on the skilled trades in southwest Germany. Despite the persistent cliché of low wages, it is clear that various skilled trades offer attractive earning opportunities. Modernization measures and digital offerings are opening up new opportunities that are making the trade more sustainable.