Depending on where you worked in the states, you can most likely expect a paycut. There aren't many studios in Germany, and as such, there is a glut of people wanting game jobs, and salaries are adjusted accordingly. I think I took something like a 25% paycut.
Well im looking for a ballpark range of what is acceptable,i have heard good things about this company and dont want to overshoot the salary i ask for.
Depending on where you worked in the states, you can most likely expect a paycut. There aren't many studios in Germany, and as such, there is a glut of people wanting game jobs, and salaries are adjusted accordingly. I think I took something like a 25% paycut.
Never worked in the states despite im the fact im American so its why i am clueless on a figure. Worked in Holland making euros but it was not legal so i have nothing to go on.
Well aint looking to break the bank or anything,mostly want enough to live comfortably in Berlin. Going mostly for the experience and to be able to stay with my Danish girlfriend.
salarys aint be the highest in the world but all contracts I've seen so far are around the same my sister earns as a midwife and alot of friends earn something simmilar as well. so while it's not going to make you a king it's enough to live and after all you're allowed to work freelance as well in most positions.
Since everyone in this thread seems to be saying the same thing and giving decent advice, I'd say - ask for what seems reasonable to you. You know the euro, right? You know how much you need to live comfortably per annum, I'd guess.
So give them a figure. If it's too high, they'll barter you down if they really want you. If it's not, then they get a good deal and you get to live comfortably. I'm not really sure why you're asking - I don't see many people (except some fresh out of university) asking around on public forums how much they should be charging for work. Especially for a senior position.
Yeah, no one is going to give an outright number, it's a firing offense in most contracts.
*edit*
What you should be doing, is cost of living research. How much are apartments, how much is transportation, how much is food. What is your level of living expendatures, do you go out to eat every night? How often do you vacation, is it local, or exotic? Then determine what you need monthly that you think your skill level would merit, and ask for that.
If you really want an estimate number: I'd say €1250 netto per month (tax deducted, no clue what rates are in Germany) would be my minimum. But that would be me, as a junior so, I'm guessing €1500-1700 minimum for a senior. It's all a bit difficult to say however since I'm not from Germany, but I'm trying to make a reasonable estimate.
Monthly Rent (where you'll be moving to) x 4 (you may need 4 times this each month [varies depending on things like regional expenses])x 12(months) = A starting point.
Monthly Rent (where you'll be moving to) x 4 (you may need 4 times this each month [varies depending on things like regional expenses])x 12(months) = A starting point.
If you really want an estimate number: I'd say 1250 netto per month (tax deducted, no clue what rates are in Germany) would be my minimum. But that would be me, as a junior so, I'm guessing 1500-1700 minimum for a senior. It's all a bit difficult to say however since I'm not from Germany, but I'm trying to make a reasonable estimate.
Haha dude thats almost minimum wage man! Im not from Germany but Holland, and Id expect a senior to make at least 1700 a month here. I live near the border of Germany and Holland so I go there a lot. One thing I notice a lot is that there is a huge difference in wealth in Germany. Either youre wealthy or youre poor, there is no in-between.
JO420: I remember reading your blogs back when you lived in Holland. But now Im curious to why your former job here wasnt legal? Its not something youd expect from the game industry :P ANyway, good luck!
Kwakkie: that's what I'm saying, 1700 min as a Sr. 3000 brutto pretty much equates to that I guess.
Xeno: 4 times rent seems a bit much here in Europe, it's more along 3 times I think.
Pretty sure netto means after taxes kwakkie. They are suggesting that you ask for a salary that would end up with 1250, or 1500-1700 in your pocket each month, not the full amount that taxes would then be deducted on. It's a way to give advice across countries with different tax amounts.
1250 aint much for a senior here.
if you start, and are in the 6 months trial period, your generally paid lesser, well at least i was.
i´ve just started in 3d biz but earned more than 1250 netto a month, during that trial.
I was also talking Netto. Most Junior Artists get around 1500 netto here, so 1250 netto seems pretty low to me. Youd probably earn the same working at mac Donalds :P
Then again, it is a different country, even though Germany and the Netherland are right next to eachother, the cost of living is a lot cheaper in Germany.
Its not just another country its Berlin, Berlin is cheap as hell, not all areas but you can get quite a dicent flat for pretty low prices, some areas are getting more expensive, while others get better but stay in low prices, food is pretty cheap here too. Really considering what you pay Berlin is way cheaper then all other bigger german cities and definitely way cheaper then Amsterdam.
I wouldn't want to live with anything below 2000 netto in Munich or Hamburg but in Berlin thats a really nice amount of money. Also it was said that 1250 is the absolute minimum to take not what he is supposed to take, of course he should aim higher.
Replies
senior artist for a company can only be yager or radonlabs, i'd rather think yager as they are a bit more opened for international guys.
Depending on where you worked in the states, you can most likely expect a paycut. There aren't many studios in Germany, and as such, there is a glut of people wanting game jobs, and salaries are adjusted accordingly. I think I took something like a 25% paycut.
Never worked in the states despite im the fact im American so its why i am clueless on a figure. Worked in Holland making euros but it was not legal so i have nothing to go on.
many experienced german artists get a salary even a junior wouldn't accept somewhere else.
I was talking about the flat number written in my contract.
Since everyone in this thread seems to be saying the same thing and giving decent advice, I'd say - ask for what seems reasonable to you. You know the euro, right? You know how much you need to live comfortably per annum, I'd guess.
So give them a figure. If it's too high, they'll barter you down if they really want you. If it's not, then they get a good deal and you get to live comfortably. I'm not really sure why you're asking - I don't see many people (except some fresh out of university) asking around on public forums how much they should be charging for work. Especially for a senior position.
*edit*
What you should be doing, is cost of living research. How much are apartments, how much is transportation, how much is food. What is your level of living expendatures, do you go out to eat every night? How often do you vacation, is it local, or exotic? Then determine what you need monthly that you think your skill level would merit, and ask for that.
That actually sounds pretty close.
JO420: I remember reading your blogs back when you lived in Holland. But now Im curious to why your former job here wasnt legal? Its not something youd expect from the game industry :P ANyway, good luck!
Xeno: 4 times rent seems a bit much here in Europe, it's more along 3 times I think.
if you start, and are in the 6 months trial period, your generally paid lesser, well at least i was.
i´ve just started in 3d biz but earned more than 1250 netto a month, during that trial.
Then again, it is a different country, even though Germany and the Netherland are right next to eachother, the cost of living is a lot cheaper in Germany.
I wouldn't want to live with anything below 2000 netto in Munich or Hamburg but in Berlin thats a really nice amount of money. Also it was said that 1250 is the absolute minimum to take not what he is supposed to take, of course he should aim higher.
in germany you don't get a lot netto, because you pay lot's of taxes!
3000 brutto is only 1800-1900 netto in germany..
also berlin is freaking cheap