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Pebio editorial team · Last updated: 1 November 2026

Product Designer

What is on your mind?

Salary: what employees earn

Actual salary (BA Entgeltatlas), not a pay scale. Median pay of full-time employees subject to social insurance; part-time is not included. The salary in your contract may differ.

Median per month (gross)

€5,856

Range per month (25% to 75%)

€4,134 – €7,866

  • Region: Germany
  • Applies to the occupational group KldB 93104 This occupational group covers several occupations, not only this one.
  • Data import: October 2026
  • Reference period of the figure: not stated in the dataset
  • The source states the number of cases and the publication threshold.

Source: BA-Entgeltatlas

More about this figure

Minimum rates are not actual salaries and are listed in the pay scale section.

Your own calculation: hourly rate

Convert your monthly gross pay into an hourly rate. This is a calculation from your own input, not a comparison with the median. Nothing is stored.

Pay scales and minimum rates

These are minimums if the stated scope applies to your employment. This is not legal advice.

There is no verified statement on statutory pay under the BGB for this occupation yet.

Statutory minimum wage

  • Statutory

    €13.90 per hour

    valid from 2026-01-01, until 2026-12-31

    § 1 Nr. 1 MiLoV5: „ab 1. Januar 2026 13,90 Euro brutto je Zeitstunde“

Source: Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 268 · As of 2026-10-27

Upcoming rates (1)

  • Statutory

    €14.60 per hour

    valid from 2027-01-01 · upcoming

    § 1 Nr. 2 MiLoV5: „ab 1. Januar 2027 14,60 Euro brutto je Zeitstunde“

Source: Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 268 · As of 2026-10-27

Terms explained
Generally binding collective agreement (AVE)
A collective agreement that the labour ministry has declared binding for all employers in a sector – even without union membership.
Framework agreement (Manteltarifvertrag)
Sets general working conditions such as working hours, leave and notice periods, not the level of pay.
Pay agreement (Entgelttarifvertrag)
Sets how much is paid per pay grade.
Pay grade (Entgeltgruppe)
The classification by task and qualification. It decides which amount in the pay table applies to you.

Which pay scale might apply to you?

We show no sector pay scale for this occupation. Check step by step: region, employer and sector, bargaining parties, scope and period, then the original text. A match means “possibly relevant, please check”, not “applies to you”.

BMAS collective agreement register

Career: possible moves

Occupations people move to from this one. Every rating shows how it was derived.

  • HR Business Partner

    HR & People

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Derivation

    What you bring: design thinking, Stakeholder-Management, Systemdenken

    What is still missing: labour legislation, Employee Experience, HKLS, Personalentwicklung

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (4)
    • Arbeitsrecht
      1 option
      • IHK-Weiterbildung
        Description from the dataset

        Arbeitsrechtliche Grundlagen für Personalverantwortliche (IHK-Seminar oder Fachverband) — berufsbegleitend, wenige Tage bis Wochen; wird neu aufgebaut.

    • Employee Experience
      1 option
      • Weiterbildung
        Description from the dataset

        Employee-Experience-Management — die systematische Gestaltung von Mitarbeitendenerlebnissen über den gesamten Employee Lifecycle — wird durch Weiterbildung in HR-Grundlagen sowie People-Analytics-Methoden neu aufgebaut. Vorhandene Design-Thinking-Kompetenz ist direkt übertragbar und ermöglicht einen nutzerzentrierten Ansatz in HR.

    • HKLS (Heizung, Klima, Lüftung, Sanitär)
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        HKLS-Kenntnisse sind für einen HR Business Partner ein verrauschter Gap ohne direkten Bezug zum Rollenprofil. Dieser Aspekt wird nicht aktiv angestrebt; falls das Unternehmen im Gebäudetechnik-Bereich tätig ist, wird domänenspezifisches Grundwissen on-the-job erworben.

    • Personalentwicklung
      1 option
      • IHK-Weiterbildung
        Description from the dataset

        Personalentwicklung-Seminar oder HR-Zertifikatslehrgang (IHK oder Fachverband) — berufsbegleitend, einige Wochen bis Monate; wird neu aufgebaut.

    Check this switch
  • Innovation Manager

    Management & Strategie

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Derivation

    What you bring: design thinking, Nutzerzentriertes Denken, Prototyping development, Stakeholder-Synthese

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (3)
    • Cross-funktionale Führung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Führung bereichsübergreifender Teams ohne disziplinarische Weisungsbefugnis wird durch schrittweise Übernahme von Projektverantwortung in der neuen Rolle erworben. Design-Thinking-Moderation und Stakeholder-Synthese sind direkt übertragbar; formale Führungstechniken, Konfliktmanagement und Budgetverantwortung werden neu aufgebaut.

    • Business-Case-Entwicklung & ROI-Analyse
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        wird on-the-job durch Mitarbeit an Innovationsprojekten mit wirtschaftlicher Bewertung neu aufgebaut; deine Kompetenz in Design Thinking & Business Model Innovation bietet direkten Anschluss.

    • Innovation-Portfolio-Steuerung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        wird on-the-job durch schrittweise Übernahme von Portfolioverantwortung neu aufgebaut; deine Prototyping & Sprint-Facilitation-Erfahrung erleichtert den Einstieg.

    Check this switch
  • Unternehmensberater

    Management & Strategie

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Derivation

    What you bring: design thinking, Prototyping development, Stakeholder-Facilitation, Strategisches Denken

    What is still missing: Business Development, Consulting, Financial Modeling, KI-Grundlagen

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (4)
    • Client-Akquisition & Business-Development
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        wird primär on-the-job erworben — durch Mitarbeit an Pitch-Prozessen, Angebotserstellung und Kundengesprächen in einem Beratungsumfeld. Stakeholder-Facilitation, die du bereits mitbringst, ist eine gute Basis für Kundenkommunikation. Kein Pflichtzertifikat.

    • Consulting-Methodik & Frameworks
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        wird on-the-job in Beratungsprojekten neu aufgebaut — strukturiertes Methodenwissen (MECE, Problemstrukturierung, Hypothesengetriebenes Arbeiten) durch Mitarbeit an echten Cases; ergänzend ein kompaktes Beratungs-Grundlagen-Seminar an einer Wirtschaftshochschule oder Berufsverband sinnvoll, aber kein Pflichtzertifikat. Strategisches Denken, das du bereits mitbringst, erleichtert den Einstieg.

    • Financial Modeling & Business Cases
      1 option
      • Weiterbildung
        Description from the dataset

        muss neu aufgebaut werden — Grundlagen der Unternehmensfinanzierung, GuV-Analyse und Investitionsrechnung über berufsbegleitende BWL-/Finance-Kurse (IHK oder Hochschule); ergänzend praktisches Üben mit Planungsmodellen in realen Projekten. Kein gesetzlich gefordertes Zertifikat.

    • KI-Grundlagen
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Grundlegendes Verständnis von KI-Methoden und deren Einsatz in Beratungskontexten wird neu aufgebaut. Selbststudium über anerkannte Lernplattformen oder kompakte Weiterbildungen an Hochschulen oder Berufsverbänden vermitteln die nötigen Konzepte. Design Thinking und strategisches Denken aus dem Profil beschleunigen die Einarbeitung in anwendungsorientierte KI-Themen.

    Check this switch

Further paths have not been researched reliably yet.

Where else you can go

Routes many people do not think of straight away. Every statement names source and date; what is missing reads “not documented yet”.

  • Industrial designer (B.A. Industrial Design)

    You design products and how people use them, as a degree in industrial design. The degree also leads into UX, interface and game design, art direction or self-employment.

    Why you fit

    Your design and prototyping practice from product design becomes a formal degree. Your portfolio can serve as the work-sample folder for the aptitude test.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Bachelor of Arts Industrial Design at Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal: no admission restriction, but with an aptitude test (portfolio of work samples, take-home assignment, exam with tasks, presentation and interview). A university entrance qualification is needed; with completed vocational training and at least 3 years of work experience, an entrance exam or trial study is possible.

    Source: Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal, Studiengangseite Industrial Design · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Duration
    Standard period of study 7 semesters; start in the winter or summer semester.

    Source: Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal, Studiengangseite Industrial Design · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    The university names these career fields: interface, UX and information design, mobile interaction design, physical computing, game design, art or creative direction, freelancing or founding a company, design agencies, interaction design labs, and research and teaching.

    Source: Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal, Studiengangseite Industrial Design · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Your next step: Read the aptitude test regulations and application deadlines and put together a portfolio of work samples.

  • Master's in Interaction Research & Design

    You deepen user research, interface design, prototyping and evaluation at master's level. The programme combines design, empirical research and computer science.

    Why you fit

    As a product designer you bring UX methods and prototyping experience that the degree grounds in research.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Master of Science Interaction Research & Design at the University of Bamberg: no admission limit but access conditions. You need a relevant bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS and a grade of 2.5 or better, plus a passed aptitude procedure; the language of instruction is mainly German.

    Source: Universität Bamberg, Studiengangseite · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Duration
    Standard period of study 4 semesters with 120 ECTS; start in the winter or summer semester.

    Source: Universität Bamberg, Studiengangseite · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Check whether your degree counts as relevant and ask the university about the aptitude procedure.

  • Digital innovation and product manager (IHK certificate)

    You support digital product development from idea to concept and assess business models including pricing. This includes prototyping, agile methods and managing digitalisation projects.

    Why you fit

    You know prototyping and user-centred development from product design. The course adds business model, profitability calculation and project management.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Certificate course of the IHK Köln with DIHK-Bildungs-GmbH: digitalisation trends, digital product development, digital business models with pricing and profitability calculation, prototyping, agile methods, digitalisation projects. It ends with a certificate; the page names no formal requirements and no exam.

    Source: IHK Köln, Zertifikatslehrgang · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Duration
    Live online; session 14.01.2027 to 10.03.2027, further sessions in September and October 2027.

    Source: IHK Köln, Zertifikatslehrgang · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Ask the IHK Köln about hours, price and registration for the next session.

Show more routes (4)
  • Certified HR specialist (IHK)

    You shape HR work: personnel planning, marketing and controlling, plus personnel and organisational development. HR work based on legal rules is part of it.

    Why you fit

    Empathy, facilitation and systems thinking from design work help in organisational development. The exam adds employment law and personnel planning.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    IHK further-training exam at DQR level 6 (bachelor level). Admission under § 2 of the exam regulation: training in the personnel services sector plus experience, commercial or administrative training plus experience, another recognised training occupation plus experience, or several years of work experience alone. Four fields of action are examined in writing, plus a presentation and a professional discussion.

    Source: IHK Koblenz, Prüfungen von A bis Z · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    Proof of vocational and pedagogical skills (Ausbilder-Eignungsverordnung) is due by the last exam component at the latest. The page names no total duration of the course.

    Source: IHK Koblenz, Prüfungen von A bis Z · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Your next step: Ask your IHK for admission before the course starts and have your experience reviewed.

  • Certified business administrator (IHK), Master Professional in Business Management

    You plan, steer and monitor business processes and carry out a project with presentation and professional discussion. The qualification sits at DQR level 7 (master level).

    Why you fit

    If you want to move from design into management or consulting, it closes business-administration gaps. Admission requires a business degree or a commercial further-training qualification.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    IHK exam “Geprüfter Betriebswirt nach dem BBiG – Master Professional in Businessmanagement”. Access via Fachwirt, Fachkaufmann or comparable commercial qualification, state-certified business administrator (Fachschule) plus one year of experience, or a business degree plus one year of experience. Exam: written (in English, level B2), oral and project-based.

    Source: IHK Nord Westfalen, Fortbildungsprüfungen · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    Work experience only has to be proven at the time of the exam. The page names no preparation duration.

    Source: IHK Nord Westfalen, Fortbildungsprüfungen · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Your next step: Ask your IHK whether your degree counts for admission, and check the Fachwirt level first.

  • Professorship in design at a university

    You teach and research in a design subject at a university. The route is appointment, not a course.

    Why you fit

    For design subjects, artistic ability and several years of professional practice count alongside academic ability. You can build both as a product designer.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    In addition to the general civil-service requirements, the Hochschulrahmengesetz requires professors to have a completed university degree, teaching aptitude, and special ability for academic work (usually proven by a doctorate) or for artistic work. Depending on the requirements of the post, additional academic or artistic achievements are needed, or special achievements in applying or developing academic findings and methods over several years of professional practice.

    Source: § 44 HRG · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Read your federal state's university law and current calls for design professorships.

  • Self-employed designer (with start-up subsidy)

    You work as a freelance or founding product designer on your own account. If you receive unemployment benefit, you can apply for a start-up subsidy.

    Why you fit

    You bring product design, portfolio and client work. New is the business side, such as winning clients and proving viability.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    not documented yet
    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    Start-up subsidy (Gründungszuschuss) of the employment agency: you must receive unemployment benefit with at least 150 days of entitlement left when you start, run the business as your main occupation (at least 15 hours per week), and have a competent body, e.g. IHK, confirm viability. Phase 1: 6 months at the amount of your last unemployment benefit plus 300 euros per month; phase 2: 9 months at 300 euros per month, applied for separately.

    Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Gründungszuschuss beantragen · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    There is no legal entitlement; the employment agency decides at its discretion. The subsidy is not subject to income tax.

    Source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit, Gründungszuschuss beantragen · As of 2026-10-31 (retrieved)

    Your next step: Talk to the employment agency before you start and have an IHK confirm viability.

What matters to you

Choose what matters to you, if you like. We then show the matching facts about this job. There is no weighting, no rating and no overall score.

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Important to you

Without a selection you get a general orientation: salary, collective agreements, skills, career and knowledge are in the sections of this page. Choose above what matters to you and we will point you to the matching places.

How we assign facts
  • Financial situation: Salary, Pay scales
  • Security & predictability: Pay scales, Job market
  • Work environment & belonging: No data
  • Recognition & competence: Skills
  • Growth & self-determination: Career, Skills

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