AI jobs in Berlin now pay a median of up to 95,000 euros. Nevertheless, a majority of tech professionals are worried about their jobs.
The Berlin tech scene is in the middle of a contradiction: artificial intelligence has long been used in everyday life, but at the same time there is growing concern that it will become replaceable. This is shown by the new “Berlin Salary Trends Report 2026” from Handpicked Berlin, together with Ravio and Factofly.
According to this, 87.5 percent of tech specialists in Berlin use AI tools in everyday life, and 84.7 percent even report increased productivity. But at the same time, 61.2 percent say they are worried about their job security. Only around one in five people are relaxed about this.
This “uncertain use” runs through the data as a central pattern: AI works – but many people wonder at what cost.
“Berlin’s tech scene has skipped the AI hype debate. Almost everyone uses it, almost everyone says it works – and a majority is quietly worried about what that will mean for staffing levels in two years,” says Igor Ranc, founder of Handpicked Berlin.
AI is booming and is providing new top salaries
The effects can also be seen in salaries. For the first time, the area of AI and machine learning engineering is one of the three best-paid roles in Berlin, with a median of 95,000 euros. Only engineering leads (115,000 euros) and legal & compliance positions (99,000 euros) earn more.
Overall, the median full-time salary in the Berlin tech industry is now 80,000 euros – an increase of 4.6 percent compared to the previous year. At the same time, the comparison with European benchmark data shows: Berlin pays solidly, but not above average.
The gender pay gap is falling – but not for the right reasons
There appears to be progress in the gender pay gap: women earn a median of 70,000 euros, men 85,000 euros – an unadjusted difference of 17.6 percent, less than last year.
However, the report itself puts this development into perspective: A large part of the decline is due to better data, not to real changes in the market.
Return-to-office becomes a reason for termination
The figures on office presence are explosive: If a company mandates four or more office days per week, 68.8 percent of the affected tech employees would quit within six months or actively look for a new job.
For many companies, return-to-office becomes a real risk – especially because, according to the report, the most sought-after talents are the first to leave.
Willingness to change increases significantly
Overall, around a third of those surveyed plan to change jobs in 2026. The main reason is clear: money. 45.2 percent cited significantly better pay as the most important incentive to change.
This fits with current developments: 45 percent of those surveyed received no salary increase at all last year, and another 37 percent only received minimal adjustments of between one and five percent.
This creates a clear picture for employers: the market appears stable, but pressure is building up. Anyone who saves on salaries or relies on strict office rules now risks losing talent – at the latest when the job market turns around again.
