How much does an industrial clerk earn?
Industrial clerks run commercial processes in manufacturing companies: they handle orders and quotations, support purchasing, sales, materials management, HR or accounting, and keep deadlines, costs and KPIs on track – often with ERP systems such as SAP. Entry is typically via the dual apprenticeship as Industriekaufmann/-frau. Gross pay depends on region, collective agreements, company size, department and responsibility. As a guide, qualified industrial clerks in dependent employment in Germany in 2026 often earn about €3,300–€4,050 gross per month; in training around €1,050–€1,380 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026 for typical dependent employment. The training column refers to the dual apprenticeship as industrial clerk; qualified means practising industrial clerks. Actual pay depends on collective agreements (e.g. metal and electrical industry), employer, region, department (purchasing, sales, HR, controlling), extra qualifications and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
Industrial clerks combine office work with operational processes: orders must run on time, inventories and costs must add up, and internal and external partners expect clear communication. Everyday work shifts between ERP maintenance, alignment with production and logistics, customer or supplier contact and reporting – often under month- or quarter-end pressure.
- Process customer orders, quotations and order confirmations and monitor delivery and payment deadlines.
- Support purchasing and materials management: align demand, place orders and communicate with suppliers.
- Prepare invoices, credit notes and basic controlling reports and maintain costs and KPIs.
- Support HR or sales processes, coordinate appointments and align departments with each other.
- Apply ERP/warehouse systems, office software and data-protection rules safely in day-to-day work.
- Communicate with production, warehouse, quality and customers and resolve disruptions in order processing.
