More Minimum Wage: Hundreds of Thousands in Hesse Benefit - Hesse’s €13.90 minimum wage lifts pay for 363,000 workers—women gain most
A higher median wage has boosted earnings for thousands of workers in Hesse since the start of the year. The increase to €13.90 per hour has lifted pay for nearly one in nine employees across the state. Women, in particular, are seeing the largest gains from the rise in wages.
On January 1, Germany’s minimum wage rose from €12.82 to €13.90 gross per hour. In Hesse alone, this change has benefited around 363,000 workers—about 11% of all employment contracts in the region. The pay bump comes as part of a broader national trend, with wages climbing by an average of 2.1%.
Women have gained more than men from the adjustment. Data from the Kununu Gehaltscheck 2026 reveals that 13% of working women in Hesse now earn higher wages, compared to 10% of men. Despite this progress, a pay gap remains: women in the state earn an average of €47,000 annually, while men take home around €53,900.
Overall, Hesse leads the country in average salaries, with workers earning €55,064 on average. The rise in minimum pay has played a key role in this shift, though the gender disparity in earnings persists.
The wage increase has directly improved incomes for hundreds of thousands of employees in Hesse. With women benefiting more than men, the change has narrowed—but not closed—the pay gap. The new €13.90 minimum wage now sets a higher baseline for workers across the state.
