Question 1

How much do you earn under the TVöD in 2026?

Accepted Answer

It depends on pay group and step. Since 1 May 2026 the general TVöD VKA table ranges from €2,534.55 (E 1, step 2) to €8,204.11 (E 15, step 6) gross per month for full-time work. A typical value: E 9b, step 3 pays €4,203.56 gross under the TVöD VKA. On top comes the annual bonus in November. Our calculator shows gross and net for every combination.

Question 2

What is the difference between TVöD VKA, TVöD Federal and TV-L?

Accepted Answer

The TVöD covers employees of the federal government (TVöD Federal) and municipalities (TVöD VKA); the TV-L covers the federal states except Hesse. The federal and VKA tables are identical in most pay groups but differ in E 1 and E 9a to 9c. The TV-L has its own, somewhat lower table values, a different term and different annual bonus rates.

Question 3

When do I move up to the next step?

Accepted Answer

Under § 16 TVöD and TV-L you reach step 2 after one year in step 1, step 3 after two years in step 2, step 4 after three, step 5 after four and step 6 after five more years. You therefore reach the final step after 15 years in total. In E 1 you start at step 2 and move up every four years. Considerably above- or below-average performance can shorten or extend the duration.

Question 4

How high is the annual bonus in 2026?

Accepted Answer

From 2026 new TVöD rates apply: municipalities (VKA) a uniform 85% of a monthly salary, the federal government 95% in E 1–8, 90% in E 9a–12 and 75% in E 13–15. In the TV-L the rates remain unchanged: 87.43% (E 1–4), 88.14% (E 5–8), 74.35% (E 9a–11), 46.47% (E 12–13) and 32.53% (E 14–15). The basis is the average monthly pay from July to September; it is paid with the November salary.

Question 5

How is pay calculated for part-time work?

Accepted Answer

Part-time employees receive table pay pro rata to their agreed hours relative to a full-time employee's regular hours (§ 24(2) TVöD/TV-L). Working 75% means 75% of the table value — and the annual bonus pro rata as well. Because of tax progression, the drop in net pay is usually somewhat smaller. Just set your working time in the calculator.

Question 6

How much of a TVöD salary is left net?

Accepted Answer

With tax class I and no children, roughly 63 to 66% of gross is left in the middle pay groups. Example: E 9b, step 3 under the TVöD VKA with €4,203.56 gross results in about €2,735 net per month by our calculation (statutory insurance, 2.9% add-on rate, no church tax). Tax class III, children and church tax change the result considerably — which is why an individual calculation is worthwhile.

Question 7

What happens to my step when I am promoted to a higher pay group?

Accepted Answer

This is governed by § 17(4) — and the agreements differ here. Under the TVöD (federal and municipal) promotion is step-equal: you keep your step in the higher pay group. Under the TV-L you are placed in the step where you receive at least your previous table pay (at least step 2); if the increase is less than €100 (E 2–8) or €180 (E 9a–15), a guaranteed amount is paid instead. In both cases the step duration starts again. Our calculator's comparison shows what the next higher pay group would bring, gross and net.

Question 8

When is the next pay rise in the public sector?

Accepted Answer

Under the TV-L agreement of 14 February 2026, table pay rises by a further 2.0% on 1 March 2027 and 1.0% on 1 January 2028. The TVöD for federal and municipal employees runs until 31 March 2027; the next pay round is expected to start in early 2027. We update the tables as soon as new values are fixed.

Guide: Public Sector Salary Calculator

TVöD and TV-L Salary 2026: Pay Groups, Steps and Net Pay Explained

Annual Bonus 2026: How Much Christmas Pay the TVöD and TV-L Provide

Step Progression in the TVöD and TV-L: When You Reach the Next Step

TV-L or TVöD: Where Do You Earn More? The 2026 Comparison

Pay Group Classification in the Public Sector: How Your Group Is Determined

You might also find useful

Gross-to-Net Salary Calculator

Tax Class Calculator

Hourly Wage Calculator