How much does a commercial director earn?
Commercial directors (Kaufmännischer Leiter) are responsible for the economic steering of a company or major unit: finance and controlling, purchasing and sales processes, budgets, contracts and often people leadership in commercial teams. Entry is typically via a degree or dual study in business, commercial training plus several years of specialist and leadership practice, and trainee or leadership programmes – there is no classic apprenticeship specifically for this role. Gross pay depends on region, company size, industry and P&L responsibility. As a guide, practising commercial directors in Germany in 2026 often earn about €6,500–€8,200 gross per month; in dual study, trainee or early leadership phases around €1,300–€1,650 is typical.
Salary by region (gross/month)
Guide figures as of 2026. The training column means dual study, trainee or early leadership phases; qualified means practising commercial directors. Actual pay depends on company size, industry, bonus, region and experience and is not a guarantee.
Further training options
Job and everyday work
A commercial director combines figures, processes and leadership: steering budgets and results, leading teams and securing economic decisions. The day shifts between KPIs, negotiations, personnel topics and alignment with managing directors and operational areas – often under time and result pressure.
- Plan, steer and report commercial targets, budgets and KPIs to managing directors.
- Keep accounting, controlling, liquidity and annual accounts in view and manage risks.
- Lead and develop teams in finance, purchasing, sales admin or administration.
- Secure contracts, terms and major purchasing or customer decisions commercially.
- Coordinate interfaces with engineering, production, IT and HR and improve processes.
- Safeguard compliance, tax and reporting duties and implement change in the commercial area.
