How much does a care worker earn?
Care workers support and nurse people in hospitals, care homes, outpatient services and home care: they take vital signs, administer medication as prescribed, assist with personal care and mobilisation, and document the nursing process. Entry typically follows the generalist nursing training as a registered nurse (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann). Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements (e.g. TVöD/AVR), employer, shift and weekend allowances, and specialisation. As a guide, qualified care workers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,450–€4,150 gross per month; during training around €1,280–€1,580 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The apprenticeship column refers to generalist nursing training or typical trainee pay; qualified means practising nursing professionals. Actual pay depends on collective agreements (e.g. TVöD, AVR), shift, night and weekend allowances, employer, region, extra qualifications and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A care worker steers the nursing process in shift work: observing health status, carrying out medical orders, supporting activities of daily living, and keeping relatives and the multiprofessional team informed. Documentation, hygiene and handovers are as much part of the job as physical strain and emotional closeness – often under time pressure with high quality standards.
- Take vital signs, assess care needs and implement as well as update the individual care plan.
- Support personal care, mobilisation, nutrition and elimination; provide wound care and basic nursing when needed.
- Prepare and administer medicines and therapies as prescribed; monitor effects and side effects.
- Keep nursing documentation, handovers and coordination with doctors, therapists and relatives reliable.
- Follow hygiene, infection and occupational safety rules; recognise emergencies and act.
- Work shifts including nights and weekends and supervise trainees or support staff.
