About pay in Nordrhein-Westfalen
In Nordrhein-Westfalen civil service pay is governed by the LBesG NRW. The tables below show current base salaries — broken down by pay grade and experience level. Additional supplements (family, allowances) may apply depending on personal circumstances.
A pay grade
Administration, teachers, police and more — the bulk of all civil servants.
| Grade | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 | Level 8 | Level 9 | Level 10 | Level 11 | Level 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A5 |
AW pay grade (trainees)
Trainee pay during preparatory service.
| Grade | Amount |
|---|---|
| AWA5 | 1.499,78 € |
| AWA6 | 1.499,78 € |
| AWA7 | 1.499,78 € |
| AWA8 | 1.499,78 € |
| AWA9 | 1.555,68 € |
| AWA10 |
B pay grade
Top posts — agency heads, secretaries of state and comparable roles.
| Grade | Amount |
|---|---|
| B1 | 7.649,22 € |
| B2 | 8.840,58 € |
| B3 | 9.344,98 € |
| B4 | 9.873,24 € |
| B5 | 10.479,30 € |
| B6 |
R pay grade (judges)
Judges and prosecutors.
| Grade | Level 0 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 | Level 8 | Level 9 | Level 10 | Level 11 | Level 12 |
|---|
W pay grade (academia)
University professorships — typically W1 (junior professor), W2 and W3.
| Grade | Amount |
|---|---|
| W1 | 5.409,21 € |
| W2 | 7.051,97 € |
| W3 | 7.767,45 € |
C pay grade
Older university pay schedule — no longer newly assigned in most states.
| Grade | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 7 | Level 8 | Level 9 | Level 10 | Level 11 | Level 12 |
|---|
Legal basis
The tables are based on the current version of the LBesG NRW.
Besoldungsgesetz für das Land Nordrhein-Westfalen (Landesbesoldungsgesetz - LBesG NRW)
View legislationFrequently asked questions
Q1Who sets civil service pay in Nordrhein-Westfalen?+
Q2Which pay schedules apply in Nordrhein-Westfalen?+
Q3What are entry and peak salaries?+
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