Werkstudent jobs in Engineering & IT in Germany – allowed hours and typical pay

In Werkstudent positions in Engineering and Information Technology (IT) in Germany, there are clear rules regarding permitted working hours and typical wages. These jobs are an ideal way for students to gain practical experience while studying without losing student status.

1) Allowed working hours

Situation | Maximum allowed

• During the lecture period | up to 20 hours per week

• During semester holidays | temporary full-time possible (up to 40 hours/week)

• Total per year (approximately) | up to 26 weeks full-time or the equivalent in part-time

If these limits are exceeded, you may lose student status and be treated like a regular employee for social security purposes (with full contributions).

2) Average hourly pay by field

Field | Average hourly pay (€) | Typical range (€)

• IT (programming, web development, data) | 14–18 | 12–22

• Mechanical engineering & mechatronics | 13–17 | 11–20

• Electrical engineering & electronics | 13–17 | 11–19

• Civil engineering & architecture | 12–16 | 10–18

• Data analysis & computer science | 15–20 | 13–23

Location (e.g., Munich or Berlin) and company type (large corporation vs. start-up) can significantly affect pay.

3) Factors that influence pay

• Previous experience (internships or projects)

• Year of study (master’s students often earn more)

• Programming language or technical specialization (e.g., Python, Java, embedded systems)

• Company size (large companies such as Siemens or SAP typically pay more)

4) Is there a minimum wage for Werkstudent jobs?
There is no separate official minimum wage specifically for Werkstudent roles, but in practice:

• Pay often does not fall below €12/hour

• Advanced tasks can easily exceed €15–€20/hour

• Research-oriented or academic roles sometimes pay less

5) Taxes and insurance

Item | Werkstudent (under correct conditions)

• Health insurance | via student health insurance

• Pension insurance | yes, if monthly income exceeds €538

• Income tax | no, if income is below €10,908 per year

• Unemployment / long-term care insurance | no

Tips for students

• Do not exceed 20 hours per week during the lecture period.

• Monitor annual earnings to avoid taxes.

• Negotiate pay, especially if you have technical experience or strong projects.

• Always ask about accident insurance in the contract.

The writers and editors aim to provide accurate information through extensive research and multiple sources; however, errors or unconfirmed information may occur. Please treat this as initial guidance and consult the responsible authorities for confirmed details.