Electronics and electrical engineering specialists in Germany earn an average of 64,302 euros gross per year. This is the result of the annual "Electronics & Electrical Engineering Salary Report" published by the specialist magazine "Elektronikpraxis", for which over 6,000 data sets were evaluated in 2016.

However, a look at the salary map reveals the classic east-west divide. Skilled workers in the industry's western conurbations in Bavaria (EUR 67,993), Baden-Württemberg (EUR 65,540) and North Rhine-Westphalia (EUR 65,142) earn the most, while the three lowest average incomes are in Saxony-Anhalt (EUR 42,035), Thuringia (EUR 46,153) and Saxony (EUR 46,562). That makes a whopping 38 percent difference between Bavaria and Saxony-Anhalt. However, low salaries are also paid in Bremen in western Germany (49,405 euros).

Electronics salaries: It's not just the location that counts, but also the role
As in all industries, in electrical engineering it's not just where you do your job, but also what job you do. All salary figures include variable components and apply to professionals with six years of professional experience or more.

Engineers in development get off best with an average of 41.5 hours per week: hardware developers with six years or more experience can expect to earn an average of 58,600 euros, while it is even more lucrative for software developers at 59,878 euros. Development managers earn an average of 94,045 euros.

Compared to this, production engineers (56,903 euros) and process engineers in production (59,069 euros) have to cut back - despite slightly higher working hours of 41.8 hours on average. At 69,348 euros, a production manager also earns significantly less than his counterpart in development. Alarmingly, 17.6 percent of respondents from production believe it is very or somewhat likely that they will change employers in the coming year.

A move to the quality department could be worthwhile: Engineers earn an average of 72,833 euros, managers even 91,570 euros for 41.7 hours per week. Application engineers in the office (55,982 euros) and field application engineers in the field (58,063 euros) cannot quite keep up with this, even though they work 42.8 hours more per week. Perhaps this is why almost one in four application engineers is latently willing to change jobs (18.3 percent).

It pays to be an engineer - but there's even more money to be made in marketing and sales
Engineers won't be happy to read this: Marketing and sales earn more. The average marketing manager earns 71,628 euros, while a colleague in business development goes home with 82,007 euros. Hierarchical advancement is also more lucrative outside the technology departments. At 97,857 euros, the Director of Marketing just scrapes the six-figure mark, which the Director of Business Development easily cracks with an annual salary of 127,822 euros.

Sales managers land just below this with an average of 107,858 euros. Key account managers achieve not much less at 94,901 euros. Only "normal" sales engineers are slightly behind at 65,660 euros. For their comparatively high salary, however, sales employees have to accept a high workload of 45 hours per week on average.

Job satisfaction: How companies can retain employees
There are three main factors that play a role in the professional satisfaction of employees in electrical engineering: performance-related pay, a good working atmosphere and a high level of job security. However, it is precisely the latter that the electrical engineering sector seems to be lacking. When asked what they are "fairly dissatisfied" with at the moment, respondents mentioned "job security" most frequently. At the same time, they urgently demand more flexibility in working hours and more creative freedom from their employers. The study participants are also "not so satisfied" with their development and training opportunities and the recognition of their achievements.

Study methodology and further information
The study was carried out by the specialist medium "Elektronikpraxis" in collaboration with the job exchange "Semica". The survey of skilled workers was conducted using an online questionnaire. A total of 6,000 - statistically unrepresentative - data records were collected.

We will be happy to provide you with more detailed results on request by e-mail to pressestelle@vogel.de.

"Elektronikpraxis" reports on what is happening in the electronics industry, new products as well as fundamental problems, technologies and solutions for industrial applications in mechanical and plant engineering, automotive and transportation technology, medical technology, data technology, telecommunications and consumer electronics. In print, online(www.elektronikpraxis.de) and at its own events, the specialist medium covers all the key topics in the industry: electronic components and systems, technologies and their use, specific applications, basic principles and research results, technical standards and guidelines, people and opinions. The parent company Vogel Business Media is Germany's largest trade media house with 100+ trade journals, 100+ web portals, 100+ business events as well as numerous mobile offerings and international activities. Its headquarters are in Würzburg. The company celebrates its 125th birthday in 2016.