How much does a controller earn?
Controllers steer figures, plans and decisions: they build forecasts and budgets, analyse variances, report to leadership and support investments and cost topics – often in industry, retail, services or mid-sized firms. Entry is frequently via a dual degree, business studies, trainee programmes or a move from accounting and finance. Gross pay depends on region, company size, industry knowledge and responsibility. As a guide, practising controllers in Germany in 2026 often earn about €4,800–€6,200 gross per month; in dual study, trainee or entry phases around €1,150–€1,500 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The training column covers dual study, trainee or entry phases; qualified means practising controllers. Actual pay depends on collective agreements, sector, employer, region, ERP/BI skills and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Profession and everyday work
A controller combines analysis with advisory work: figures are prepared, variances explained and recommendations given to management. Day-to-day work alternates between reporting deadlines, alignment with business units and deeper special analyses – often under month-end time pressure.
- Steer monthly, quarterly and annual closings and maintain forecasts and budgets.
- Produce KPIs, variance analyses and management reports for leadership.
- Assess and steer cost centres, projects and investments commercially.
- Work closely with business units, accounting and IT – often on ERP and BI systems.
- Facilitate planning rounds, challenge assumptions and derive action proposals.
- Deliver ad-hoc analyses on margins, liquidity or scenarios and prepare decisions.
