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Pebio editorial team · Last updated: 29 October 2026

Koch/Köchin

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)

€3,018

Range per month (25% to 75%)

€2,563 – €3,581

  • Region: Germany
  • Applies to the occupational group KldB 29302
  • 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

Statutory minimum training pay (§ 17 BBiG), € gross per month

What counts is the year training starts, not the month of payment: whoever starts in 2026 keeps the 2026 rate.

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

Skills: what you learned on the job

Expert-reviewed tasks and the skill behind them. Use the evidence question to check whether it applies to you.

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Not yet available

This content has so far only been expert-reviewed in German.

Career: possible moves

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

  • Restaurantleiter/in

    Unbekannt

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Derivation

    What you bring: HACCP, Küchenarbeit, Kundenorientierung, Qualitätskontrolle

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (5)
    • Betriebswirtschaft Gastronomie
      1 option
      • IHK-Weiterbildung
        Description from the dataset

        Geprüfte/r Fachwirt/in im Gastgewerbe (IHK) oder einzelne Gastronomie-BWL-Seminare — berufsbegleitend; muss neu aufgebaut werden.

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

        Gastronomie-Controlling (Umsatz, Kosten, Deckungsbeiträge) über ein IHK-Seminar oder den Fachwirt im Gastgewerbe — berufsbegleitend, wenige Tage bis Wochen; muss als kaufmännisches Fachfeld neu aufgebaut werden.

    • Führung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Führungskompetenz wird durch schrittweise Übernahme von Verantwortung (Schichtleitung, Stellvertretung) und ggf. ein Führungsseminar (IHK) neu aufgebaut; die vorhandene Teamarbeit bietet einen direkten Anknüpfungspunkt.

    • Gästebetreuung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Gästebetreuung und Serviceorientierung im Front-of-House-Kontext werden on-the-job neu aufgebaut; die vorhandene Serviceorientierung aus dem Kochberuf erleichtert den Wechsel in die Gastgeber-Rolle.

    • Produktwissen (Speisen, Getränke, Warenkunde)
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Tiefes Produktwissen zu Speisekarte, Weinen, Getränken und saisonalen Angeboten wird durch gezielte Auseinandersetzung mit dem Sortiment sowie begleitende Fachverkostungen erworben. Vorhandene Küchenarbeit, HACCP-Kenntnisse und Qualitätskontrolle liefern eine direkte Grundlage.

    Check this switch
  • Bäcker/Bäckerin

    Handwerk, Bau & Gastro

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Derivation

    What you bring: HACCP, Hygiene, Kochkunst, Menüplanung, Qualitätskontrolle

    What is still missing: Kochkunst, Ladeprozesse, Teigführung

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (3)
    • Kochkunst
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Kochkunst ist bereits als transferable Skill vorhanden. Der Übergang zum Bäckerberuf erfordert keine erneute Qualifikation in Kochtechniken; HACCP, Hygiene und Qualitätskontrolle sind direkt übertragbar.

    • Ladeprozesse
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Bäckereispezifische Ladeprozesse (Wareneingang, Lagerung von Mehl, Backhilfsstoffen, Kühlkette) werden on-the-job in der Bäckereipraxis aufgebaut. Hygiene- und Qualitätskontrollkenntnisse aus der Küche sind eine solide Basis; lebensmitteltechnische Besonderheiten des Bäckerhandwerks werden neu erworben.

    • Teigführung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Teigführung (Sauerteig, Hefeteig, Quell- und Brühstücke) wird in der Bäckereiumschulung oder durch Praktika in Bäckereibetrieben neu aufgebaut; Kochtechniken bieten handwerkliche Grundsensibilität, ersetzen aber das spezifische Wissen nicht.

    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”.

  • Food safety inspector (Lebensmittelkontrolleur/in)

    Inspects businesses that produce, handle or sell food on site, takes samples and starts proceedings in case of violations. Advises food businesses and handles consumer complaints.

    Why you fit

    The job requires knowledge of food trade, hygiene and operating procedures. As a state example, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania names Küchenmeister and dietary cook as qualifying certificates.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Not directly as a cook: you need a vocational qualification plus a passed further-training exam (for example Küchenmeister or dietary cook) or a state-certified technician qualification in a food occupation, followed by a training course. The federal states set the details. Bavaria requires a “master exam in a food occupation”; whether the Küchenmeister counts is not documented. The same applies to Baden-Württemberg.

    Source: Food Inspector Ordinance (LKonV) sections 2 and 3; state sources Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg · As of 29.10.2026 (retrieved)

    Duration
    The course lasts at least 24 months (at least 6 months theory, the rest practice at an authority); it can be shortened by up to 6 months for above-average results.

    Source: LKonV section 3 · As of 29.10.2026 (retrieved)

    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    Example Prignitz district (Brandenburg): pay grade 8 TVöD during training, then up to E 9a. Table values from 01.05.2026 (full time): E 8 €3,486.40 to €4,230.97 gross per month, E 9a €3,658.61 to €4,979.97 gross per month. The step depends on work experience. In Bavaria civil-servant pay grade A 7 applies; we did not retrieve the amount.

    Source: Job advertisement Prignitz district; TVöD-VKA Annex A (VKA consolidated version) · As of 01.05.2026 (table valid from)

    Particulars
    Access differs by federal state (Bavaria: age limit 43 at hiring). Work partly outside usual hours, a category B driving licence is required, in Brandenburg flexitime at 39 hours per week. No classic shift work documented.

    Source: Bayernportal; Prignitz district, job advertisement · As of 10.07.2026 (Bayernportal)

    Your next step: Ask the veterinary and food inspection office of your district or city whether they train and which further-training exam they accept. If you have none yet: first Küchenmeister, dietary cook or technician.

  • Food technology technician (state-certified)

    Takes on specialist and management tasks in the food industry: shift or department lead, laboratory, quality control, quality management and product development, that is optimising and redesigning food.

    Why you fit

    According to the school, admission requires a completed vocational training in a food-related occupation, explicitly including cook, and at least one year of work experience. Knowledge of raw materials and hygiene from the kitchen counts. The qualification is also an entry route to training as a food safety inspector.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Technical school for food technology. Alternatively with intermediate school certificate and 7 years of experience in nutrition, housekeeping or hospitality. Technical schools are a matter for the states; only one school in North Rhine-Westphalia is documented here.

    Source: Zentrum für Distanzstudium Solingen (ZDS), flyer food technology technician · As of 2025-05 (flyer)

    Duration
    2 years full time (2,400 teaching hours) with a 6-week project phase in a food company. Part-time and other states are not documented in this source.

    Source: ZDS Solingen, flyer food technology technician · As of 2025-05 (flyer)

    Cost
    This school charges no admission, participation or exam fees. Other schools and states: please check locally.

    Source: ZDS Solingen, flyer food technology technician · As of 2025-05 (flyer)

    Funding
    The school names Aufstiegs-BAföG and funding by the employment agency under section 81 SGB III. Apply for Aufstiegs-BAföG before you start.

    Source: ZDS Solingen, flyer; Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) section 2 · As of 2025-05 (flyer)

    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Look for technical schools for food technology in your own state and use their admission advice. Apply for Aufstiegs-BAföG at the responsible office before you start.

  • Practical-skills teacher at vocational schools

    Teaches the practical part in the teaching kitchen and supports theory teachers with demonstrations and exercises. This also includes training apprentices with the trainer aptitude exam (AEVO).

    Why you fit

    Those who master the kitchen in practice and can show master-level qualifications can pass this knowledge on in vocational school.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Berlin generally requires a master craftsperson, industrial master or state-certified technician with AEVO. Whether the Küchenmeister counts as “master” there is not documented. For other states we have no current source.

    Source: Berlin Senate Department for Education, practical-skills teachers at vocational schools · As of 2023-03 (Berlin)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    AEVO exam: for example IHK Köln €219 for the first attempt. Fees vary by IHK. The framework plan comprises 115 teaching hours.

    Source: IHK Köln, trainer aptitude exam (AEVO) · As of 2026

    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    The rules are a matter for the states and differ. Berlin advertises posts per school, usually in February or March for the following school year. For Rhineland-Palatinate no retrievable source is available.

    Source: Berlin Senate Department for Education, practical-skills teachers at vocational schools · As of 2023-03 (Berlin)

    Your next step: Watch school-specific job postings on your state's careers portal and take the trainer aptitude exam (AEVO).

Show more routes (5)
  • Küchenmeister (master cook, IHK)

    Specialist and management role in planning, producing and marketing gastronomic products and services. The goal is the top management level of a gastronomic business.

    Why you fit

    The further training builds on the cook apprenticeship. The practical exam is a five-course menu for six people from a given basket of goods. The qualification is a building block for further routes, for example food inspection or training others.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Admission after a 3-year apprenticeship (for example cook) and at least one year of practice. With a 2-year apprenticeship it is 2 years of practice, without an apprenticeship 4 years. Exam parts: trainer aptitude (AEVO), business-related and action-specific qualifications, practical exam. The qualification is at DQR level 6.

    Source: Ordinance on the exam for the recognised qualification Certified Küchenmeister, sections 2 and 3 · As of 09.12.2019 (last amended; version of 05.08.2003)

    Duration
    Example of a distance course: 21 months, 1,273 hours, without the AEVO part. This is a provider example, not an official figure.

    Source: ZFU overview, Regionales Bildungszentrum Eckert (approval 578411) · Date unknown (retrieved 29.10.2026)

    Cost
    The exam fee depends on the IHK, for example IHK Erfurt €1,306 without AEVO, IHK Düsseldorf €1,267 (293 + 416 + 558), each without material costs for the practical exam. We do not state individual provider course prices because they are not documented without a date. Costs may have changed.

    Source: IHK Erfurt; IHK Düsseldorf · Date unknown (retrieved 29.10.2026)

    Funding
    Aufstiegs-BAföG: a course and exam fee contribution of up to €15,000, of which 50 % is a grant and the rest a low-interest loan, regardless of income and assets. Full time, additionally a maintenance contribution of up to €1,019 per month for single people, depending on income and assets. Measures with at least 400 teaching hours are eligible.

    Source: Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) sections 2 and 12; BMBFSFJ, aufstiegs-bafoeg.de · As of 29.10.2026 (current law, retrieved)

    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Submit the online admission request to the responsible IHK (free of charge and non-binding according to IHK Düsseldorf), then choose a course and apply for Aufstiegs-BAföG.

  • Dietary cook (IHK)

    Prepares dietary food, for example in spa clinics, sanatoriums, company and hospital kitchens. Creates nutrient-defined meal plans, works with doctors and nutrition teams and supports nutrition education.

    Why you fit

    Admission at IHK Köln with a final exam as a cook and at least one year of work practice. The qualification is named explicitly in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as an entry route to training as a food safety inspector.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    IHK further-training exam. Admission can differ by IHK. In addition, the German Nutrition Society offers the further training “dietetically trained specialist”, a different certificate, not an IHK qualification.

    Source: IHK Köln, Certified dietary cooks; DGE · Date unknown (retrieved 29.10.2026)

    Duration
    Example DGE course at IN VIA Akademie Paderborn: start 21.10.2026, finish 07 to 11.06.2027. Duration and costs of IHK preparation courses at providers are not documented.

    Source: DGE / IN VIA Akademie Paderborn, seminar 255-26-LH · As of 21.10.2026 (course start)

    Cost
    IHK Köln: exam fee €510 (partial retake €260) plus €461 for the practical exam. We do not state provider course prices.

    Source: IHK Köln, Certified dietary cooks · Date unknown (retrieved 29.10.2026)

    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Ask the responsible IHK about admission. For the DGE variant, choose a course offered by an academy.

  • Hospitality business manager (Fachwirt/in im Gastgewerbe, IHK)

    Commercial management and specialist role in hospitality. Exam subjects are guest orientation and marketing, industry-related management and law, and gastronomic service formats.

    Why you fit

    Access is possible after the cook apprenticeship: with a recognised apprenticeship of at least 3 years (so cook as well), one year of practice in total is enough for the first exam part.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    IHK further-training exam in two parts. Admission can differ by IHK; how the practice periods for the second part are assigned for cooks, please clarify with the IHK.

    Source: IHK Düsseldorf, hospitality business manager · As of 19.06.2008 (legal rule; exam dates until autumn 2027)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    Exam fees at IHK Düsseldorf: €293 and €416 for the two partial exams. Course costs are not documented.

    Source: IHK Düsseldorf, hospitality business manager · Date unknown (exam dates until autumn 2027)

    Funding
    Aufstiegs-BAföG is generally possible because the further training is based on section 54 BBiG. Please check the minimum hours of the chosen measure (400 teaching hours).

    Source: Upgrading Training Assistance Act (AFBG) section 2 · As of 29.10.2026 (current law, retrieved)

    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Submit the admission request to the responsible IHK.

  • Ship's cook

    Provides meals for the crew on board a seagoing ship. Every ship must have a trained ship's cook.

    Why you fit

    Anyone who can show the final exam as a cook can be deployed.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    No additional qualification needed: the final exam as a cook is enough. Alternatively an IHK certificate on hospitality instruction or a foreign certificate of competence applies. Deployment under 18 is not possible. Further proofs such as basic safety training are not documented as a general rule.

    Source: Ship Manning Ordinance (SchBesV) section 7 · As of 29.10.2026 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    A seafarer fitness certificate from an authorised doctor is required, valid for 2 years (1 year for young people). Pay and working hours on board are not documented.

    Source: Maritime Labour Act (SeeArbG) sections 11, 12 · As of 29.10.2026 (retrieved)

    Your next step: Clarify seafarer fitness with an authorised doctor and look at vacancies at shipping companies.

  • Food stylist, food designer

    Prepares food and drinks for the camera and stages them, for advertising, cookbooks and websites. Develops recipes and concepts for shoots and works with photographers.

    Why you fit

    Cooking craft (preparing, plating) is the basis. The Austrian AMS career information names a cook apprenticeship as a good foundation.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    In Germany there is no uniform, officially recognised training or degree programme. Most self-employed people have training as a cook or photographer. Further training in Germany (providers, costs) is not documented. As an example from Austria there is a university course in food design (3 semesters, part time).

    Source: selbststaendig.de; AMS Berufslexikon Österreich, food stylist · As of 22.11.2025 (selbststaendig.de last updated)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    Mostly self-employed; the market is limited, a second source of income makes sense. Whether it is a trade or a liberal profession is clarified case by case by the tax office. A salary for Germany is not documented.

    Source: AMS Berufslexikon Österreich, food stylist; selbststaendig.de · Date unknown (retrieved 29.10.2026)

    Your next step: Build a portfolio, contact photographers and agencies and clarify the business registration. To be honest: a niche route with an open entry.

What matters to you

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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

Job market: what job ads ask for

Reliable data basis · Based on 900 ads with skills

Sought-after professional skills

  • HACCP
  • Kochen
  • Hygienevorschriften (HACCP)
  • Warenwirtschaft
  • Speisenplanung
  • Warenannahme

Source: Stellenanzeigen (BA-Volltext) · As of 2026-11-01

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