Software Engineer Salary in Frankfurt (2026)
Quick Answer
How much does software engineer in Frankfurt make?
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Frankfurt is Germany's financial capital, and that shapes its tech market in ways that matter for your salary. Software engineers in Frankfurt earn €65,000–€105,000 per year, with a median around €82,000 — making it Germany's second-highest paying tech city after Munich. The demand is driven by Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, the ECB, and a growing fintech scene.
Key Facts
- Frankfurt software engineers earn €65K–€105K/year, second only to Munich in Germany
- Banking bonuses of 10–20% significantly boost total compensation
- Deutsche Bank has 4,000+ tech staff in Frankfurt alone
- ECB roles offer tax-exempt salaries — 20–30% more in take-home pay
- Cloud + compliance expertise is the most in-demand combination
Salary by Experience Level
- Junior (0–2 years): €48,000–€60,000
- Mid-level (3–5 years): €65,000–€85,000
- Senior (6+ years): €85,000–€105,000
How Frankfurt Compares
Frankfurt pays 5–15% more than Berlin in base salary and significantly more in total compensation when banking bonuses (10–20%) are included. Munich pays 10–15% more than Frankfurt but has higher living costs. For purchasing power, Frankfurt often matches Munich.
Key Employer Landscape
Banking tech dominates: Deutsche Bank employs 4,000+ tech staff in Frankfurt. Commerzbank, DWS Group, KfW, and DekaBank all run major engineering teams. The ECB offers tax-exempt salaries as an EU institution. Fintechs like Clark, Solactive, and 360X add startup-style opportunities with equity upside.
Skills That Command Premium
Engineers with Kafka, low-latency systems, or cloud-compliance expertise (DORA, BaFin) earn at the top of the range. Java and Python dominate banking stacks, while Go and Rust are gaining traction in trading infrastructure. German language skills (B2+) unlock roles at traditional banks paying 10–20% above market.
Top Hiring Companies
Career Advice
Target banks at Series B+ fintechs or well-funded banking tech teams for the best salary/growth balance. Building financial domain knowledge — credit risk, trading systems, regulatory compliance — is the fastest path to premium pay in Frankfurt. The ECB is worth applying to for its exceptional compensation package.
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Software Engineer Insights — Frankfurt
Software Engineer salaries in Frankfurt range from €65,000 to €105,000, a 49% spread indicating moderate variation depending on seniority and employer. The median of €82,000 sits below the midpoint, suggesting more positions cluster toward the entry-to-mid-level end of the range.
Frankfurt's cost of living index of 52/100 represents moderate living costs. At a median salary of €82,000, software engineer professionals here enjoy solid purchasing power relative to higher-cost tech hubs.
The hiring landscape for software engineer in Frankfurt is anchored by employers like Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, and ECB, along with 2 other notable employers. These employers offer competitive packages that generally align with market rates, with differentiation coming through benefits, growth opportunities, and work flexibility.
Demand for software engineer in Frankfurt centers around expertise in Java, Python, TypeScript, plus 2 other core competencies. Candidates with strong proficiency across these areas tend to command offers closer to the €105,000 ceiling, and have natural transition paths into roles like Senior Software Engineer or Backend Engineer.
Related Roles in Frankfurt
Explore salary information for similar positions and compare compensation across different roles.
| Role | Location | Salary Range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | Frankfurt | €85,000 - €130,000 | €95,000 |
| Senior Data Scientist | Frankfurt | €82,000 - €120,000 | €91,000 |
| Senior ML Engineer | Frankfurt | €88,000 - €130,000 | €99,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | Frankfurt | €58,000 - €98,000 | €75,000 |
| Senior DevOps Engineer | Frankfurt | €80,000 - €120,000 | €90,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average software engineer salary in Frankfurt?
Software engineers in Frankfurt earn €65,000–€105,000 per year, with a median around €82,000. Junior engineers start at €48,000–€60,000, mid-level roles pay €65,000–€85,000, and senior engineers at banks or fintechs earn €85,000–€105,000. Banking bonuses of 10–20% can push total compensation even higher.
How does Frankfurt compare to Berlin for software engineer salaries?
Frankfurt pays 5–15% more than Berlin in base salary (Berlin median: ~€72K vs. Frankfurt: ~€82K). When banking bonuses are included, the gap widens. However, Berlin has a larger job market (2–3x more tech postings), lower rent, and more startup diversity. Frankfurt is better for maximizing near-term compensation in a specialized financial tech market.
Which companies hire the most software engineers in Frankfurt?
Deutsche Bank (4,000+ tech staff), Commerzbank, DWS Group, KfW, DekaBank, and Deutsche Börse are the largest employers. The ECB and Deutsche Bundesbank hire for technically challenging work. Fintechs like Clark, Solactive, 360X, and companies in the TechQuartier ecosystem offer startup-style roles.
Do I need to speak German for tech jobs in Frankfurt?
Not necessarily. Major bank tech teams often operate in English, especially at Deutsche Bank and in trading technology. The ECB operates entirely in English. However, German skills (B2+) open doors to traditional companies paying 10–20% above market and are valuable for career advancement into management.
What is the cost of living for software engineers in Frankfurt?
Frankfurt is Germany's second most expensive city. A one-bedroom apartment costs €1,400–€2,200/month. A software engineer earning the median €82,000 takes home ~€4,700/month after taxes. After rent of ~€1,600, roughly €3,100 remains — comfortable but not lavish by Frankfurt standards.
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Data Source & Methodology
Salary data for software engineer in Frankfurt 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)