In August, many people in Germany will start their vocational training. The Federal Statistical Office's earnings survey shows that vocational qualifications pay off in the long term. According to this survey, a completed vocational training course that qualifies as a skilled worker promises an average increase in hourly pay of around 35% compared to an unskilled job.

Subsequent further qualification also pays off: The average gross hourly earnings of employees rise significantly with increasing requirements. A specialist job (e.g. requires a master's or bachelor's degree) is paid 44% more on average than a skilled worker. And a classification as an expert promises an increase in gross hourly earnings of 45% compared to a specialist job.
 

The extent to which a qualification is worthwhile in monetary terms depends not only on the requirements of the job, but also to a large extent on the industry. In the hospitality industry, for example, skilled workers earn on average only around 15% more than unskilled workers. The increases are particularly high in the "provision of financial and insurance services" (78%) and in "energy supply" (61%). Subsequent further qualification as a specialist is particularly lucrative in the "transport and storage" (71%), "manufacturing" (55%) and "construction" (52%) sectors.

As meaningful as the earnings survey is, Albert Einstein's saying "Not everything that counts can be counted" still applies, or in other words, when choosing a career, you should not look at earnings prospects alone. However, these should not be completely disregarded either.


Other figures can be found here.