Public service

Understanding TVöD and TV-L with pay groups and levels

The guide explains the basic logic of collective bargaining groups, levels and part-time work in the public sector.

Updated on Apr 21, 2026 Topic: TVöD and TV-L

Pay group and level are not the same thing

The pay group describes the collective bargaining level of the activity. The stage describes the development of experience within this group. Anyone who mixes the two is reading tariff tables incorrectly.

Why TVöD and TV-L must remain separate

Many search queries lump both together. For serious computers, this mixture is wrong. That's why there is one on ultra computers TVöD calculator and one TV-L calculator.

Read properly part time

Part-time does not mean that the pay group changes. The table value usually remains the same, but is reduced proportionately based on weekly hours and full-time reference.

Practical mindset

  1. Clarify pay group
  2. Clarify stage
  3. Read full time table value
  4. Apply part-time factor
  5. Add optional allowances or special payments

Why Netto is just a second step

Tariff calculators should first clearly derive the tariff gross from the table. Only then does a rough net estimate make sense. This is exactly why the net view in the tariff calculators is optional.

Typical stumbling blocks

  • Confuse TVöD and TV-L
  • Compare weekly hours without a full-time reference
  • Throw allowances and table pay together
  • Misunderstand net as a core tariff statement

Conclusion

If you want to read tariff values ​​correctly, you should first understand the table logic. Only then is it worth looking at net or annual values.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions on this topic

Why aren't TVöD and TV-L the same computer?

Because they have different tables and tariff worlds.

What does the level do?

The level changes the table salary within the same salary group.

Why do you need the full-time reference?

This is the only way to accurately calculate part-time on a pro-rata basis.

Matching calculators

Continue calculating

TVöD calculator

Break down pay group, level and weekly hours transparently into monthly and annual values ​​in TVöD.

TV-L calculator

Calculate pay group, level and weekly hours in TV-L with your own tariff level.

Gross-Net Calculator

Convert monthly or annual gross into expected net and deductions for Germany.

Salary calculator

Monthly, annual and hourly perspective for your salary including rough employer costs.