RechnerpediaHow to use the calculator
Enter your current monthly gross salary and your current weekly hours, plus the hours you plan to work. The calculator scales the gross salary pro rata (30 instead of 40 hours means 75%) and runs a full payslip with wage tax and social security for both amounts. Take your tax details from your payslip, just as in the salary calculator.
Why net pay falls less than your hours
German income tax is progressive: as income falls, so does the average tax rate. Part of the pay cut is therefore absorbed by lower wage tax. Social security contributions, on the other hand, fall roughly in proportion to gross pay as long as you are below the contribution ceilings.
In the example above someone works 30 instead of 40 hours, 25% fewer. Their net pay goes from €2,605.50 to €2,054.42, so they keep 78.8% of their previous net. Per hour worked they keep €15.80 net instead of €15.03.
| Weekly hours | Gross | Net | Working time | Net as share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 h | €3,500.00 | €2,333.25 | 87.5 % | 89.6 % |
| 32 h | €3,200.00 | €2,166.75 | 80 % | 83.2 % |
| 30 h | €3,000.00 | €2,054.42 | 75 % | 78.8 % |
| 25 h | €2,500.00 | €1,768.92 | 62.5 % | 67.9 % |
| 20 h | €2,000.00 | €1,476.84 | 50 % | 56.7 % |
| 10 h | €1,000.00 | €876.38 | 25 % | 33.6 % |
If the new gross pay is €2,000 a month or less, the transition zone (Midijob) starts, with reduced employee contributions, so net pay drops even a little less. The calculator applies this automatically. Up to €603 the job is a Minijob, which the Minijob calculator covers.
What else part-time changes
- Pension: lower gross pay means lower contributions and fewer pension points in the statutory pension insurance.
- Holidays: annual leave depends on the number of working days per week. If you keep working five days, just shorter, you keep the same number of days off.
- Benefits: unemployment benefit, sick pay and parental allowance (Elterngeld) are based on previous income and are lower after a reduction.
- Bonuses: Christmas and holiday pay are often paid pro rata. Your contract or collective agreement decides.
Your right to part-time work
Under § 8 of the Part-Time and Fixed-Term Employment Act (TzBfG) employees can ask to reduce their hours if they have been employed for more than six months and the employer usually has more than 15 employees. The request has to be made in text form at least three months before the start. Temporary “bridge part-time” (Brückenteilzeit, § 9a TzBfG) for one to five years requires more than 45 employees. Your employer can refuse for operational reasons; a works council, trade union or employment lawyer can advise in individual cases.
Read more in the guide part-time work and salary.
Frequently asked questions
How much net pay do I get on 30 instead of 40 hours?
With €4,000 gross full-time, tax class I, no children and no church tax, you keep €2,054.42 net on 30 hours in 2026 instead of €2,605.50. That is 78.8% of the previous net pay for 75% of the hours.
Is gross pay always cut pro rata for part-time?
Usually yes, if your salary is tied to your contractual hours. Collective agreements or allowances can differ. In that case enter the future gross salary directly in the salary calculator.
Does part-time work change my tax class?
No, your tax class depends on your marital status, not on your hours. For married couples another combination may pay off when incomes become more similar. Check this with the tax class calculator.
Does my hourly wage go up when I work part-time?
The gross hourly wage stays the same. The net hourly wage rises slightly, because a lower income is taxed at a lower rate.