Nursing staff in MV: wages at the lowest level in Germany!

Nursing staff in MV: wages at the lowest level in Germany!

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania it is becoming increasingly challenging for nursing staff. According to current reports, the federal state is at the bottom when it comes to paying nursing staff in Germany. According to that Central association of statutory health insurance companies (GKV) The average hourly wage for nursing staff rose from 21.16 euros to 22.44 euros, but this is not enough to position the region in an attractive manner. Last year, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania already took second-to-last place, but now it has reached last place, below Thuringia, where the hourly wage is around 22.54 euros.

On the national average, however, the average hourly wage in nursing rises to 23.70 euros, which corresponds to an increase of 4.9 percent. Overall, the situation for nursing professions remains tense, because the rising personnel costs have a direct impact on the personal contributions of those in need of care - a circumstance that not only puts a strain on the nursing care insurance funds, but also on the residents, since many costs such as accommodation and meals are not covered by the nursing care insurance.

The wage situation at a glance

Wages and salaries in Germany increased by 5.7 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. But in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the situation is particularly worrying: Loud NDR 126,900 employees here earn less than 2,750 euros net per month. This means that almost every third full-time employee in the region is below this mark, while only every fifth employee nationwide is affected.

The median salary for full-time employees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is 3,294 euros, while employees in Hamburg earn an average of 4,527 euros. According to Bundestag member Dietmar Bartsch, this discrepancy means that many people could end up in poverty in old age. He demands a gross monthly wage of at least 3,300 euros to ensure a dignified life in retirement.

Nursing professionals are in high demand

The demand for skilled workers in health and care professions is growing, and earnings have increased above average. According to information from daily news The average gross earnings for full-time employees in these professions was an impressive 4,048 euros in April 2024, which represents an impressive increase of 43.1 percent compared to 2014. In geriatric care in particular, skilled workers enjoy significant salary increases.

However, it will be more difficult to promote the nursing profession if the basic wage situation is not improved. The additional burdens of rising care costs and the need to pay more for accommodation, food and training often do not go away. Whatever the challenges, it is clear that policymakers must act urgently to improve working conditions and wage levels.