Pebio editorial team · Last updated: 1 November 2026

Diplom-Designer/in (FH/Uni) - Grafik

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)

€3,914

Range per month (25% to 75%)

€3,195 – €5,064

  • Region: Germany
  • Applies to the occupational group KldB 23224 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.

  • Content Strategist

    Medien & Redaktion

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Rating: schwer

    about 15 months

    Derivation

    What you bring: Partner Communication, Storytelling

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (5)
    • Webanalyse und Auswertung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Analytische Kompetenz wird neu aufgebaut durch eigenständige Arbeit mit Web-Analyse-Plattformen und berufsbegleitende Kurse bei öffentlichen Bildungsträgern oder Hochschulen.

    • Rechtliche Grundlagen im Content-Bereich
      1 option
      • IHK-/Kammer-Zertifikatslehrgang
        Description from the dataset

        Grundlagen zu Datenschutz, Urheberrecht und Lauterkeitsrecht werden neu aufgebaut über einen Zertifikatslehrgang bei IHK oder Fachschule mit Schwerpunkt Medien- und Kommunikationsrecht.

    • Datenanalyse
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Datenanalyse-Kenntnisse werden neu aufgebaut durch praktisches Arbeiten mit Reporting-Tools und Datenvisualisierung sowie Einführungskurse bei Hochschulen oder öffentlichen Bildungsträgern.

    • Produktmanagement
      1 option
      • IHK-/Kammer-Zertifikatslehrgang
        Description from the dataset

        Produktmanagement wird neu aufgebaut über einen berufsbegleitenden Lehrgang bei IHK oder Fachschule mit Inhalten zu Produktstrategie und Anforderungsmanagement.

    • Suchmaschinenoptimierung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Suchmaschinenoptimierungs-Kenntnisse werden neu aufgebaut durch praxisnahe Eigeninitiative und berufsbegleitende Einsteigerkurse bei Fachverbänden oder Bildungsträgern der digitalen Wirtschaft.

    Check this switch
  • Art Director

    Marketing, Medien & Kreativ

    Editorially selected · Dataset as of 2026-05-24

    Rating: schwer

    about 18 months

    Derivation

    What you bring: Adobe Creative Suite, Content-Strategie, Figma, Partner Communication, Storytelling, Visual Design

    According to the dataset: qualification paths

    Show qualification routes (5)
    • Branding
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Branding-Kompetenz wird neu aufgebaut durch eigenverantwortliche Leitung von Markenprojekten und Seminare zur Markenführung bei Fachverbänden oder Hochschulen.

    • Markenmanagement
      1 option
      • IHK-/Kammer-Zertifikatslehrgang
        Description from the dataset

        Markenmanagement wird neu aufgebaut über einen berufsbegleitenden Zertifikatslehrgang bei IHK oder vergleichbarem Bildungsträger mit Schwerpunkten Markenstrategie, Markenrecht und Markenführung.

    • Budgetverantwortung
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Budgetverantwortung wird neu aufgebaut durch schrittweise Übernahme von Projektbudgets im Berufsalltag, unterstützt durch interne Schulungen zu Kosten- und Projektcontrolling.

    • Motion Design
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Motion-Design-Kenntnisse werden neu aufgebaut durch eigenständiges Erarbeiten von Animations-Workflows in gängigen Bewegtbild-Werkzeugen sowie Praxisprojekte im Berufsumfeld.

    • Präsentation
      1 option
      • Praxiserfahrung
        Description from the dataset

        Präsentationskompetenz ist durch Storytelling und Partnerkommunikation bereits vorhanden (übertragbar) und wird durch regelmäßige Pitches und Kundenpräsentationen im neuen Berufsalltag weiter ausgebaut.

    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”.

  • Certified Media Specialist (Bachelor Professional in Media)

    You plan and steer print and digital media production and take on staffing, cost and sales tasks. It is the step from design into leading media projects.

    Why you fit

    Your print and digital production experience counts for the media production exam part. You build leadership and cost management in the course.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The IHK exam leads to the title Geprüfter Medienfachwirt – Bachelor Professional in Media. It has general and action-specific qualifications with a focus on print or digital media. The second part includes a project and a technical discussion.

    Source: IHK Region Stuttgart: Geprüfter Medienfachwirt · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    Aufstiegs-BAföG funds courses that prepare for publicly regulated advanced vocational exams. It is excluded if you already hold a master's or an equivalent state or state-recognised university degree; if a bachelor's or comparable degree is your highest degree, funding is possible. Before booking, check with the responsible office whether your diploma counts as a master's or a bachelor's.

    Source: BMBFSFJ: Who is funded by Aufstiegs-BAföG? · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: File the online admission application with your IHK before you book a course.

  • Qualified trainer (AEVO exam)

    You plan, run and monitor the training of apprentices in a company. It opens routes into agency, studio or in-house management.

    Why you fit

    As a designer you pass on skills in your team. The AEVO turns that into a certificate and is also required for the Medienfachwirt.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The IHK exam has a written part and a practical part with a presentation or a training situation plus a technical discussion. There are no admission requirements. With certain qualifications you can apply for exemption from the written part.

    Source: IHK Rheinhessen: Ausbildereignungsprüfung · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    IHK Rheinhessen states a total exam fee of 150 euros. Other chambers may differ; preparation courses cost extra.

    Source: IHK Rheinhessen: Ausbildereignungsprüfung · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Register at your IHK's continuing education portal and ask about exemption from the written part.

  • Freelance design with artists' social insurance

    You work freelance for clients and, if the conditions are met, you are compulsorily insured for pension, health and long-term care through the Künstlersozialkasse.

    Why you fit

    As a graduate designer you have the creative qualification for freelance commissions. The Künstlersozialkasse explicitly names graphic design as work covered by the KSVG.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Self-employed artists and publicists are compulsorily insured if they work for income, not only temporarily, and employ at most one person. You register with the Künstlersozialkasse.

    Source: § 1 KSVG · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    The Künstlersozialkasse counts graphic design, for example advertising, posters, communication, information, corporate and media design, as work covered by the KSVG. Self-employed graphic designers are accordingly insured under the KSVG.

    Source: Künstlersozialkasse: Information leaflet No. 2 on the artists' social levy · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

    Your next step: Get advice from the Künstlersozialkasse on registration and required proof before you give notice.

Show more routes (3)
  • Master's in Interaction Design (UX/UI)

    You develop digital and physical interactions, prototypes and user experiences. The university names interaction design, UX/UI design and information architecture among the career fields.

    Why you fit

    Your diploma and design practice are the base. You expand UX, prototyping and interaction design in the programme.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The Master of Arts at Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal requires a good or very good university degree and an aptitude test made of portfolio, practical part and interview. You submit a motivation letter.

    Source: Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal: Master Interaction Design · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

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

    Your next step: Prepare your portfolio and clarify deadline and recognition with the admissions office.

  • Master's in time-based media (film, animation)

    You design film, video, 2D and 3D animation and interactive media. The university names self-employment and leading roles in animation, film, television and interaction.

    Why you fit

    Your graphic and design experience is the base for animation and moving image. The programme adds media theory and business, legal and organisational basics to film, video and animation.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The Master of Arts at Hochschule Mainz covers film, video and 2D and 3D animation. It starts in the winter semester and requires a portfolio exam. According to the university, the degree is a requirement for the higher civil service.

    Source: Hochschule Mainz: Master Zeitbasierte Medien · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

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

    Your next step: Read the curriculum and the portfolio exam dates on the university page.

  • Switching into art teaching (Saarland)

    You teach visual arts at grammar and community schools at lower and upper secondary level. The Master of Education leads to the preparatory service.

    Why you fit

    A degree from an artistic-design programme is the subject requirement; the university checks whether your diploma is comparable. You bring your practice into the classroom.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The career-changer master's in art teaching at HBK Saar requires a first professional university degree of at least 180 ECTS credits in an artistic-design or art or image studies programme, or a comparable degree not related to teacher education. The examination board decides whether your degree is comparable; missing content of up to 60 ECTS credits may have to be made up as a condition. A special aptitude exam with pre-selection and an oral exam is also required. This applies in Saarland; other states regulate career changes differently.

    Source: Saarland: Ordinance on admission and aptitude exam for the career-changer master's in teaching (Official Gazette of 25.09.2025) · As of 2026-11-01 (retrieved)

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

    Your next step: Read HBK Saar's aptitude exam ordinance and ask about recognition of your diploma before you apply.

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.

What matters to you? (optional, several possible)

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

Job market: what job ads ask for

There is no expert-reviewed dataset for this occupation yet.

Quick check with this target job

The quick check reads your CV with this job as the target. What it shows and where its limits are is explained on the result page.

Start the quick check

Next step: Deep Check

If you want to apply for a specific position, the Deep Check is our service for that. Price: €49.

Go to the Deep Check

Your research

What matters to you? (optional, several possible)

Your choice moves matching sections forward. It filters nothing out and does not favour any paid service.