Thuringia's Wage Development and Inequality
In 2023, Thuringia's median income witnessed an upward trend, yet it still trails far behind the nationwide average. The Federal Employment Agency's regional office shared that the median income for full-time employees subject to social security contributions reached €3,109 last year, marking a rise of €164 or 5.6% compared to 2022. Conversely, on a nationwide scale, the median income stood at €3,796 in December 2023, growing by 4% year-on-year.
Care and social services were the sectors that experienced the most dramatic rise in gross wages in Thuringia. In 2022, the sector's median wage was €3,268; by 2023, it swelled to €3,556, signifying an almost 9% increase. The hospitality industry also noted a 9% surge.
Despite these advancements, women's salaries continue to lag behind those of men, with a median wage of €3,060 in December 2023, as opposed to €3,128 for men. However, women beat men in terms of yearly growth in gross monthly wages, boasting a rate of 6.32% compared to men's 5.28%.
Residents of Thuringia's urban areas enjoy higher salaries than their rural counterparts. Jena takes the crown with a median gross monthly wage of €3,875, closely followed by Weimar with €3,443, and Erfurt ranking third with €3,356. The least rewarding wages are found in the Saale-Orla district, with a median gross monthly wage of €2,831.
The employment agency reports that dental practitioners and physicians hold the highest median gross wage in Thuringia, amounting to €7,038 in December 2023. University employees come in second place with €5,208, while personal care occupations, such as hairdressers and beauticians, occupy the bottom rung with a median gross wage of €1,906.
Thuringia's gender pay gap
While the average annual gross salary in Thuringia hovers around €36,000 to €37,000 – less than in more affluent regions like Munich and Frankfurt – women's earnings in this region are approximately €40,533 a year, with men gaining €47,320. The technology and financial sectors are less prominent in Thuringia, which might contribute to smaller average salaries in these sectors compared to other regions.
Exploring geographical contrasts, Thuringia, along with Saxony, boasts economic disparities and cheaper living costs, which may mitigate some of the lower salaries' impact. However, it does not alleviate the gender wage gap issue directly [1].
Highest and lowest paying jobs in Thuringia
- Top-Tier Jobs:
- Medical Specialists and Investment Bankers: These occupations command the highest salaries, often surpassing €100,000 annually, despite the region's smaller financial and tech sectors.
- IT Security Specialists: This role also warrants high pay, with annual salaries ranging from €90,000 to €120,000, although not as prevalent in Thuringia as in larger tech hubs.
- Modest Earnings:
- Retail and Hospitality Workers: These sectors typically offer lower salaries, with average monthly earnings ranging from €2,400 to €3,000. For instance, retail workers in Thuringia might earn approximately €2,738 per month [1].
Concluding thoughts
Although Thuringia has unique economic characteristics, the gender wage gap remains a pressing issue. On average, women earn approximately 85% of what men do annually. Addressing this gap and promoting equal opportunities in higher-paying sectors such as medicine, finance, and technology could help improve wage equality in Thuringia.
Sources:
[1] "Wage and Salary Equality in Thuringia" Enrichment Data.
