Software Engineer Salary in Berlin (2026)
Quick Answer
How much does software engineer in Berlin make?
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Berlin has established itself as Europe's leading startup hub, offering competitive salaries for software engineers while maintaining a lower cost of living compared to other major tech cities like London or Munich. The city attracts talent from around the world with its vibrant tech scene, English-speaking workplaces, and quality of life.
Key Facts
- Berlin offers 20% lower salaries than Munich but 25% lower cost of living
- English is sufficient for most tech roles, but German unlocks higher-paying traditional companies
- Startup equity can add €10,000-€50,000+ to total compensation
- Most companies offer 28-30 vacation days standard
- Visa sponsorship is common for skilled tech workers
Salary by Experience Level
Junior (0-2 years): €45,000 - €60,000
Mid-level (3-5 years): €60,000 - €80,000
Senior (5+ years): €80,000 - €110,000
Lead/Staff: €100,000 - €140,000+
How Berlin Compares
Berlin salaries are typically 15-20% lower than Munich, but the cost of living is also 20-25% lower. When adjusted for purchasing power, Berlin often comes out ahead. Compared to London, salaries are 30-40% lower, but rent is 50% cheaper.
Skills That Command Premium
Engineers with Go, Rust, or Kubernetes expertise can command 15-25% higher salaries. German language skills (B2+) open doors to traditional companies paying 20% above market. Machine learning and data engineering skills are in high demand.
Remote Work Policies
Most Berlin tech companies now offer hybrid arrangements (2-3 days in office). Fully remote positions exist but often come with location-adjusted salaries. International companies tend to be more flexible than German corporations.
Top Hiring Companies
Career Advice
If you're targeting Berlin, focus on startups in Series B+ stages for the best salary/equity balance. Learn basic German to unlock 40% more opportunities. Negotiate hard on base salary - Berlin companies expect it.
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Software Engineer Insights — Berlin
Software Engineer salaries in Berlin range from €55,000 to €110,000, a 69% spread that reflects significant variation based on experience level, specialization, and company size. The median of €80,000 sits below the midpoint, suggesting more positions cluster toward the entry-to-mid-level end of the range.
Berlin's cost of living index of 48/100 means relatively affordable living costs compared to major tech centers. A €80,000 median gives software engineer professionals here strong purchasing power that stretches further than the same salary in cities like San Francisco or Zurich.
The hiring landscape for software engineer in Berlin is anchored by employers like Delivery Hero, N26, and Zalando, 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 software engineer in Berlin centers around expertise in JavaScript, TypeScript, React, plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the €110,000 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Backend Engineer or Frontend Engineer.
Related Roles in Berlin
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Manager | Berlin | €60,000 - €120,000 | €85,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | Berlin | €55,000 - €100,000 | €70,000 |
| UX Designer | Berlin | €42,000 - €90,000 | €61,000 |
| QA Engineer | Berlin | €50,000 - €69,000 | €57,000 |
| ML Engineer | Berlin | €60,000 - €130,000 | €95,000 |
| Android Developer | Berlin |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a Software Engineer in Berlin?
Most Berlin software engineers have either a computer science degree (50%), coding bootcamp (30%), or are self-taught (20%). Key skills include programming languages (JavaScript, Python, Go), frameworks (React, Node.js), and system design. Start with personal projects, contribute to open source, and apply to junior roles at startups. Bootcamps like Le Wagon or Ironhack offer 9-12 week programs (~€7-9K) if you prefer structured learning.
What should I expect in a Berlin tech interview?
Berlin tech interviews typically include: 1) Phone screen (30 min, behavioral + basic tech), 2) Technical challenge (take-home or live coding, 2-3 hours), 3) Onsite rounds (3-4 hours, system design + code review + team fit). Expect questions in English (90% of Berlin tech interviews), practical coding problems (less LeetCode than US), and cultural fit discussions. Startups are more casual; corporates (SAP, Deutsche Telekom) follow structured processes.
Should I target startups or corporations in Berlin?
Startups: Higher equity upside (0.1-1% for engineers), faster career growth, cutting-edge tech, but lower base pay (€45-65K) and less job security. Corporations: Stable salaries (€60-80K+), better benefits, structured career paths, but slower pace and legacy tech. Most engineers start at startups for learning (2-3 years), then move to corporates for stability or vice versa for equity plays.
How fast can salaries grow for Software Engineers in Berlin?
Typical progression: Junior (€45-55K, 0-2 years) → Mid-level (€60-75K, 2-5 years) → Senior (€75-95K, 5-8 years) → Lead/Staff (€95-120K+, 8+ years). Growth accelerates with: specialization (ML, distributed systems), management track (+€15-25K), or switching companies every 2-3 years (10-20% raises vs 3-5% internal). Equity at successful startups can add €20-100K+ annually.
Do I need a strong portfolio to get hired in Berlin?
Yes for self-taught/bootcamp grads (85% of recruiters check GitHub), less critical with a CS degree. Strong portfolios include: 2-3 deployed projects (live sites, not tutorials), contributions to popular open-source repos (React, Vue, Django), technical blog posts, or published npm/PyPI packages. Quality > quantity: one complex project (e.g., real-time chat app with authentication) beats five todo apps.
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Data Source & Methodology
Salary data for software engineer in Berlin is compiled from multiple verified sources including:
- Public salary reports from major tech employers (FAANG, Fortune 500, and high-growth startups)
- Government labor statistics and occupational wage surveys
- Aggregated self-reported compensation data from verified professionals
- Job posting analysis from major tech job boards and company career pages
All figures represent base salary in EUR and are normalized to annual equivalents. Ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile of reported compensation, while median values represent the 50th percentile. Data is updated quarterly to reflect current market conditions.
Last updated: April 2026 | Sample size: Varies by role and location (minimum 30 data points required for publication)