Overview
- The WSI of the Hans‑Böckler‑Stiftung reported on Friday that average tariff‑linked apprentice pay rose 3.9% in the 2025/26 training year.
- Most tariff sectors now pay first‑year apprentices more than €1,000 per month, and only three sectors remain below that level: parts of agriculture, floristry, and the hairdressing trade.
- About 45% of apprentices train in firms without collective agreements and often earn much less, sometimes only the legal minimum training allowance of €724 per month.
- The highest first‑year tariffs are in public‑sector care, insurance and private banking, with examples around €1,491, €1,455 and €1,400 respectively.
- Over the last decade tariff apprentice pay rose faster than regular tariff wages (about +47% versus +35% from 2015–2025), a trend that could increase pressure to raise minimum training pay and push more employers toward collective deals.