Mechanical engineering and electrical engineering are two of Germany’s most important “core” professions. They sit at the center of German industry: automotive, machinery, manufacturing, energy systems, automation, and the entire ecosystem of suppliers known as the Mittelstand. If you are an international engineer thinking about Germany, the question is natural:
Which field is in higher demand right now — mechanical or electrical — and which one pays better?
This article gives a realistic comparison: demand signals, industry drivers, salary bands, and the things that push pay upward in each discipline. It’s written for expats and international hires, so it also includes the German sentences you’ll actually use at work — with phonetic reading next to each sentence so you can speak confidently even with basic German.
Important note about numbers: salary data changes constantly. The ranges below are best understood as typical market bands drawn from widely-used salary aggregators and salary pages (for example StepStone salary pages and large salary datasets). Treat them as orientation, not promises, and validate with current job ads and recruiter conversations in your target region.
1) Germany’s engineering economy in one paragraph
Germany is an industrial economy. Even when software becomes more important, the country still lives on physical production: machines, cars, chemicals, medical devices, industrial components, and energy infrastructure. That’s why mechanical and electrical engineers remain central — but the market has shifted. Electrification, automation, and energy transition are changing what companies need.
In plain language: mechanical engineering remains huge in Germany, but electrical engineering is pulled by additional forces (energy transition, electrification, power grids, renewables, battery systems, automation). This is why in many regions, demand for electrical skills is currently more visible and urgent.
2) Demand comparison: what’s driving hiring in 2024–2025
Instead of guessing demand from hype, look at the drivers that create job postings.
Mechanical engineering demand drivers
- Machinery and plant engineering (Maschinen- und Anlagenbau)
- Automotive (still big, but transforming)
- Industrial manufacturing (production optimization, quality systems)
- MedTech and precision equipment
- Robotics and mechatronics (often a hybrid role)
Mechanical engineering in Germany is broad. The market is often stable, but in some sub-sectors (especially traditional automotive) hiring can be cyclical.
Electrical engineering demand drivers
- Energy transition: grid expansion, renewables, storage, electrification
- Automation: control systems, PLCs, industrial networks
- Power electronics: converters, inverters, battery systems
- Electromobility: charging infrastructure, high-voltage systems
- Embedded systems: sensors, industrial IoT, safety systems
Recent workforce analyses tied to the energy transition highlight shortages particularly in electrical-related fields, including electrical construction and related engineering roles. In practice, that translates to high volume demand in energy and infrastructure projects and a strong pull for engineers who can combine design with compliance and implementation.
German phrase you’ll hear in energy-related hiring:
- Wir suchen dringend Leute in der Elektrotechnik.
(veer ZOO-khen DRING-ent LOY-teh in dair eh-LEK-troh-TEK-nik)
3) Salary comparison: the honest baseline
Before splitting roles, remember: Germany’s engineering salaries are strongly shaped by company type (tariff vs non-tariff), region (south vs east), and industry (automotive, energy, chemicals, MedTech, defense suppliers, etc.).
That said, when you compare “typical” mechanical vs electrical engineer salary pages, you often see similar central averages, with electrical sometimes slightly higher depending on market segment and seniority. For example, popular salary datasets show both roles clustering around the mid-€60k range for many profiles, and higher for experienced engineers, especially in the south.
Mechanical engineering: typical salary bands
- Entry / Junior: ~€45k–€55k
- Mid (3–7 years): ~€55k–€70k
- Senior (8+ years): ~€70k–€90k
- Lead / Expert / AT roles: ~€85k–€110k+ (industry dependent)
Electrical engineering: typical salary bands
- Entry / Junior: ~€48k–€58k
- Mid (3–7 years): ~€58k–€75k
- Senior (8+ years): ~€75k–€95k
- Lead / Expert / AT roles: ~€90k–€120k+ (power/energy/high-voltage can push higher)
These bands match what many expats see: the biggest differences show up when you compare specializations, not the general degree title. A mechanical engineer in CFD or robotics can out-earn a general electrical engineer; an electrical engineer in power systems or industrial automation can out-earn a general mechanical engineer.
4) The specializations that change everything
If you want to predict pay and demand, ignore the generic label and ask: what specialization are you bringing?
Mechanical specializations that often pay well
- Mechatronics (hybrid roles: mechanics + controls)
- Robotics and automation hardware
- CFD / simulation (aerospace, energy, industrial)
- Product safety and regulatory engineering
- High-precision manufacturing and quality systems
Electrical specializations that often pay well
- Power systems (grid, substations, high voltage)
- Power electronics (inverters, converters, batteries)
- Industrial automation (PLC, SCADA, safety)
- Embedded (industrial and automotive suppliers)
- Functional safety (ISO 26262, IEC 61508, etc.)
German phrase used when companies look for specialization:
- Wir suchen jemanden mit Schwerpunkt …
(veer ZOO-khen YAY-man-den mit SHVAYR-poonkT)
5) Region matters: where mechanical wins, where electrical wins
Germany is not one market. The same engineer can receive very different offers depending on region.
Southern Germany (Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg)
Historically strong for mechanical engineering (automotive, machinery, industrial suppliers) and increasingly strong for electrical due to electrification and automation. Salaries tend to be higher, but rent can be higher too.
- In Süddeutschland sind die Gehälter oft höher.
(in ZÜt-doytsh-land zint dee geh-HAL-ter oft HÖ-her)
North and port cities (Hamburg and surrounding)
Strong in logistics, aerospace supply chains, energy and wind-related industries. Electrical roles connected to energy infrastructure can be attractive.
Rhine-Main and Rhine-Ruhr (Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf)
Dense industry and infrastructure work. Automation, energy, and production engineering can be strong. Many large employers, some with tariff systems.
Eastern Germany
Growing manufacturing and energy projects, but salaries can be lower on average. Cost of living can also be lower, so net quality-of-life can still be good depending on your priorities.
- Im Osten sind die Gehälter oft niedriger, aber die Kosten auch.
(im OS-ten zint dee geh-HAL-ter oft NEE-dree-ger, AH-ber dee KOS-ten owkh)
6) Company type: tariff, works councils, and why it changes pay
Many engineers in Germany work under collective agreements (Tarifvertrag) — especially in large industrial companies. This creates predictable salary bands and steps, and often strong benefits (vacation, working time, pension components). It also limits negotiation in some cases.
- Tarifvertrag (tah-REEF-fair-trahg) — collective agreement
- Betriebsrat (beh-TREEPS-raht) — works council
- Entgeltgruppe (ENT-gelt-groo-peh) — pay group
- Außertariflich (AT) (OW-ser-tah-REEF-likh) — individually negotiated above tariff
German sentence you’ll hear when the band is fixed:
- Das Gehalt ist innerhalb der Bandbreite festgelegt.
(das geh-HALT ist in-er-HALB dair BAND-bry-teh FEST-geh-lekt)
7) Work reality: what expats misunderstand about engineering jobs
International engineers often expect engineering to be “pure technical.” In Germany, engineering roles often include structured processes: documentation, compliance, stakeholder alignment, and quality checks. That’s not a weakness — it’s part of how German industry manages risk.
Mechanical engineering reality
- More documentation and standards than many expats expect
- Interface work with production and suppliers
- Longer development cycles in many products
Electrical engineering reality
- More compliance and safety constraints (especially energy/high-voltage)
- More site/implementation coordination in infrastructure projects
- Strong dependence on regulations, testing, and certifications
German phrases that signal process focus:
- Wir müssen das dokumentieren.
(veer MÜS-sen das do-koo-men-TEE-ren) - Das ist sicherheitsrelevant.
(das ist ZIKH-er-hites-reh-leh-VANT) - Wir brauchen eine Freigabe.
(veer BROW-khen EYE-neh FREE-gah-beh)
8) Language reality: where German becomes necessary
Engineering teams in international companies may use English for meetings and documentation, but German often appears in production environments, supplier communication, and internal processes. In many mechanical roles, interaction with shop floor and production planning increases the “German need.” In many electrical roles, site work, permits, and safety communication increases it.
Survival sentences (use them on day one):
- Können wir das kurz klären?
(KÜN-nen veer das koorts KLAIR-en) - Ich fasse kurz zusammen.
(ikh FAS-seh koorts tsoo-ZAM-men) - Welche Norm gilt hier?
(VEL-kheh norm gilt heer) - Gibt es ein Protokoll?
(gibt es ayn pro-toh-KOLL)
9) Pay upside: what pushes you into the top band
The top salary band is rarely just “years of experience.” In Germany, it is strongly tied to responsibility, risk ownership, and specialization.
Mechanical: what pays at the top
- Leading complex projects with suppliers and production
- Owning critical systems and quality outcomes
- Simulation expertise tied to measurable product improvement
- Regulatory and safety responsibility
Electrical: what pays at the top
- High-voltage, power systems, grid projects
- Automation leadership (PLC/SCADA safety)
- Power electronics and energy storage
- Functional safety roles in regulated industries
German phrase that signals high responsibility:
- Sie übernehmen die technische Verantwortung.
(zee Ü-ber-NAY-men dee TEKH-nih-sheh fair-ANT-vor-toong)
10) Salary negotiation: how to do it in a German way
German salary negotiations are usually calm, data-based, and less aggressive. Ask for the band, state your expectation, and connect it to responsibility.
- Wie ist die Gehaltsspanne für diese Position?
(vee ist dee geh-HALTS-shpan-eh fyoor DEE-zeh poh-zee-TSYOHN) - Meine Gehaltsvorstellung liegt bei …
(MY-neh geh-HALTS-for-SHTEL-loong leekt by) - Auf Basis meiner Erfahrung halte ich … für angemessen.
(owf BAH-sis MY-ner air-FAH-roong HAL-teh ikh … fyoor AN-geh-mes-sen) - Welche Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten gibt es?
(VEL-kheh ent-VIK-loongs-mÖ-glikh-kite-en gibt es)
11) Mechanical vs electrical: which should you choose as an expat?
This is the honest answer: choose the field where you can build a strong specialization and long-term responsibility — not the one that looks slightly better on an average salary page.
If you are choosing between the two fields (or considering switching):
- Mechanical can be excellent if you target automation, mechatronics, robotics, simulation, or regulated product safety.
- Electrical can be excellent if you target energy infrastructure, automation, power electronics, and electrification.
For many expats in 2024–2025, electrical engineering feels “hotter” because of energy transition and electrification demand signals — but mechanical remains one of Germany’s strongest and most stable career tracks.
12) Quick reference: German engineering vocabulary you will use weekly
- die Zeichnung (dee TSYKH-noong) — technical drawing
- die Stückliste (dee SHTÜK-lis-teh) — BOM (bill of materials)
- die Fertigung (dee FAIR-tih-goong) — production/manufacturing
- die Inbetriebnahme (dee IN-beh-treeb-nah-meh) — commissioning
- die Abnahme (dee AP-nah-meh) — acceptance
- die Norm (dee norm) — standard
- die Freigabe (dee FREE-gah-beh) — approval/release
- die Störung (dee SHTÖ-roong) — disturbance/fault
- die Schaltung (dee SHAL-toong) — circuit
- die Spannung (dee SHPAN-noong) — voltage
- die Leistung (dee LYE-stoong) — power/performance
Final takeaway
Mechanical engineering and electrical engineering both offer strong careers in Germany. Mechanical remains a giant profession that powers machinery, manufacturing, and product engineering. Electrical is currently pulled by extra demand from electrification, energy transition, automation, and infrastructure projects.
If you want the best outcome as an expat: pick a specialization that aligns with Germany’s long-term industrial direction, learn the “professional German” sentences for daily work, and aim for roles where you own responsibility — that’s what unlocks the top pay bands in both fields.