Senior Software Engineer Salary in Stuttgart (2026)
Senior software engineers in Stuttgart earn €80,000–€125,000 per year, with a median of €92,000. At this level, Stuttgart's automotive premium becomes most visible — IG Metall contracts at Mercedes-Benz and Porsche push total compensation to €95,000–€155,000 when accounting for 13th-month salary, profit sharing, and bonuses. Senior engineers in autonomous driving or embedded real-time systems command the highest premiums.
Key Facts
- Senior software engineers earn €80K–€125K base, with IG Metall benefits pushing total to €155K+
- Porsche profit-sharing bonuses reach €5K–€9K in strong years
- Autonomous driving specialists command €100K–€125K+ base
- ERA pay bands provide structured salary progression at OEMs
- Three career paths: tech leadership, engineering management, or specialized consulting
Salary by Sub-Level
- Senior (6–8 years): €80,000–€100,000
- Staff/Principal (8–12 years): €100,000–€125,000
- Lead/Distinguished (12+ years): €115,000–€145,000+
What Sets Stuttgart Apart at Senior Level
At senior level, Stuttgart's unique advantage is the IG Metall framework at OEMs. ERA pay bands (Entgeltrahmenabkommen) EG 15–17 for senior engineers mean structured salary progression with guaranteed increases. Porsche's profit-sharing bonuses reach €5,000–€9,000 in strong years — among the highest in German industry. Mercedes-Benz offers comparable structures.
Autonomous Driving Premium
Senior engineers working on ADAS and autonomous driving — computer vision, sensor fusion, path planning — earn at the top of the range. Mercedes-Benz's Level 3 autonomy (the first legally approved in Germany) was built by Stuttgart-area engineers. These specialized roles command €100,000–€125,000+ base.
Career Trajectory
From senior, Stuttgart offers three paths: technical leadership (Staff → Principal, €100K–€145K+), engineering management at OEMs (€110K–€140K + IG Metall benefits), or specialized consulting at automotive engineering firms (€95K–€130K). The automotive domain expertise built in Stuttgart transfers well to global OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers.
Top Hiring Companies
Career Advice
At senior level in Stuttgart, specialization in autonomous driving, embedded real-time systems, or vehicle cloud architecture commands the highest pay. Negotiate for IG Metall coverage if possible — the 35-hour week and profit sharing are worth €10K–€20K in effective total comp. For maximum career optionality, build transferable automotive-software expertise that's valued globally.
Senior Software Engineer Insights — Stuttgart
Senior Software Engineer salaries in Stuttgart range from €80,000 to €125,000, a 49% spread indicating moderate variation depending on seniority and employer. The median of €92,000 sits below the midpoint, suggesting more positions cluster toward the entry-to-mid-level end of the range.
Stuttgart's cost of living index of 82/100 makes it one of the more expensive locations for tech professionals. While the €92,000 median is competitive, housing and daily expenses consume a larger share of income compared to lower-cost cities.
The hiring landscape for senior software engineer in Stuttgart is anchored by employers like Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Bosch, along with 2 other notable employers. Larger employers in this market typically offer compensation at the upper end of the range, often supplemented with equity, signing bonuses, and comprehensive benefits.
Demand for senior software engineer in Stuttgart centers around expertise in System Design, C/C++, Distributed Systems, plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the €125,000 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Software Engineer or Staff Engineer.
Related Roles in Stuttgart
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior DevOps Engineer | Stuttgart | €75,000 - €115,000 | €86,000 |
| Senior Data Engineer | Stuttgart | €72,000 - €110,000 | €84,000 |
| Senior Product Manager | Stuttgart | €82,000 - €125,000 | €95,000 |
| Senior Data Scientist | Stuttgart | €78,000 - €120,000 | €88,000 |
| Senior ML Engineer | Stuttgart | €88,000 - €130,000 | €98,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a senior software engineer earn in Stuttgart?
Senior software engineers earn €80,000–€125,000 in base salary, with a median around €92,000. With IG Metall benefits (13th-month salary, profit sharing, bonuses), total compensation reaches €95,000–€155,000. Staff and principal engineers at OEMs can exceed €125,000 base.
How much do IG Metall benefits add to senior engineer salaries?
IG Metall contracts at OEMs add 15–25% to effective compensation. This includes a 13th-month salary (8.33% of annual base), profit sharing (€3,000–€9,000/year at Porsche, €3,000–€6,000 at Mercedes-Benz), a 35-hour work week (vs 40 at startups), and 30 days vacation. A €92K base becomes €105K–€115K in effective total comp.
What skills are most valued for senior engineers in Stuttgart?
Autonomous driving (computer vision, sensor fusion, path planning), embedded real-time systems (C/C++, AUTOSAR, ISO 26262), vehicle cloud architecture (AWS/Azure IoT, OTA updates), and Industry 4.0 (digital twins, manufacturing AI). System design for safety-critical applications is the most distinctive Stuttgart skill.
Is it worth moving from Berlin to Stuttgart as a senior engineer?
Financially, often yes — senior roles pay €10K–€20K more in Stuttgart, and IG Metall benefits add significantly. However, Stuttgart's job market is more specialized (automotive-heavy) and less international. If you enjoy startup culture and English-first environments, Berlin may suit you better. For stability, benefits, and purchasing power, Stuttgart is compelling.
What is the career path beyond senior engineer in Stuttgart?
Three main paths: (1) Technical leadership — Staff → Principal → Distinguished Engineer (€100K–€145K+), (2) Engineering Management — Team Lead → VP Engineering (€110K–€140K + IG Metall), (3) Specialized consulting — automotive engineering firms (€95K–€130K). The automotive domain expertise transfers well to BMW (Munich), Volkswagen (Wolfsburg), or global OEMs.
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