cashflow Crunch: Figuring Out daycare Worker Wages in Germany
- ** Authored by Larissa Königs**
- ** Approx reading time: 2 mins**
Annual Educator Salaries in Germany - Annual Income of Educators in Germany Revealed
First published on RTL.de
What a daycare worker takes home depends on a variety of factors: apart from their professional history as well as the type of establishment they work for, their location also plays a significant role. According to the Federal Employment Agency, the average gross salary for a daycare worker in a full-time position is €3,749.
To clarify, this wage encompasses not just daycare workers stationed in kindergartens but also those employed in private homes, Waldorf facilities, after-school programs, or language development centers.
It's important to highlight that salaries vary significantly depending on the state. While specialists in Bavaria earn an average €3,948 gross per year (the highest-paying state), in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, it's merely €3,378 gross on average, making it the lowest-paying state.
But why such disparities? Let's dive into the reasons.
Why do Daycare Workers receive Different Payment Amounts?
The reason for the wage differences among daycare workers can be linked back to the TVöD, the collective agreement for the public service. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions, including wages, for employees in the public sector, which includes daycare workers in municipal kindergartens. The TVöD includes multiple stages based on professional experience and additional qualifications.
New hires typically join the pay scale S 8a or S 8b. With increased experience, they progress up the pay ladder. However, identical TVöD rates don't guarantee identical pay for everyone due to municipal deviations, meaning the TVöD can differ between North Rhine-Westphalia, Berlin, and so forth.
It is also essential to note that the TVöD only applies to municipal kindergartens. Private facilities, such as those run by a church, can set their wages as they please. However, many facilities follow the TVöD.
Frequent Strikes for Higher Wages and Improved Conditions
In recent years, daycare workers have staged multiple strikes. The goal? Better working conditions and higher wages. Many argue for recognition of the challenging work they perform daily, as the stress can be high: large groups, staff shortages, and high demands on pedagogical work can lead to excessive stress.
As a result, negotiations for wages and conditions happen regularly. The most recent tariff agreement, which led to a pay increase for daycare workers, was in the spring of 2023. With wage negotiations scheduled again next year, demands for a wage increase and improved working conditions are already abundant. The Education and Science Union publicly declared in October that they are seeking "an 8 percent increase in pay, at least €350 more per month."
If these expectations materialize in 2024, the wages of daycare workers will continue to escalate. A demand that many long-term caregivers certainly understand...
Community institutions, such as education-and-self-development centers and community kindergartens, often offer personal-finance workshops to help employees manage their wages effectively. For instance, a daycare worker in a full-time position could attend these workshops to learn about budgeting and savings strategies, given the significant variations in wages across German states.
Moreover, understanding the complexities of wage negotiations, including the role of the TVöD and potential deviations, can have a direct impact on an individual's income. This knowledge, paired with the skills gained from education-and-self-development programs, could empower daycare workers to negotiate better terms with their institution of the place of employment, potentially improving their financial stability.
