[Gast]

What is the difference between salary groups E12 and E13 under TV-V for someone with an MSc in Computer Science working in a utilities company?
Specifically, what salary group would such a person typically start in? Would they begin at E12 or E13 under TV-V?
The individual has a master’s degree in Computer Science and around three years of relevant work experience from another country. During their studies, they also gained relevant experience, including a data engineering internship and nearly two years of part-time work as a scientific assistant.

[nORdI]

Hello,

A reliable classification decision is not possible based on the information provided. In particular, a detailed job description, the specific tasks assigned, and their relative time shares are missing. Under the logic of the TV-V, classification is not primarily determined by the degree or years of experience, but by the value of the duties permanently assigned to the position.

1. Basic principle of classification under TV-V

Classification follows the activity-based criteria set out in the pay scale system (Entgeltordnung) of the TV-V. Two levels must be clearly distinguished:

* Value of the position (job content / tasks)
The decisive factor is which duties are assigned and whether they meet the requirements of a given pay group. Typically, the decisive element is the “work process” that characterizes the job.
* Personal qualifications
These include education (here: MSc in Computer Science), skills, and experience. They are only relevant insofar as they are explicitly required by the activity criteria.

Core principle:
The pay group is determined by the job, not by the individual.

2. Typical distinction between E12 and E13 (simplified)

While details may vary by employer, the general structure is:

* E12
* Tasks with elevated professional responsibility
* Independent handling of complex assignments
* Often specialist roles without overarching conceptual or strategic responsibility
* E13
* Tasks of significantly higher complexity and importance
* Typically involving conceptual, policy, or steering functions
* Often combined with increased responsibility (e.g., for systems, projects, or sub-areas)
* Greater degree of independent evaluation, design, and decision-making

In practice, the boundary is often where work shifts from “advanced specialist execution/analysis” (E12) to “conceptual, shaping, and strategically relevant work” (E13).

3. Role of personal qualifications

An MSc degree is often a prerequisite for positions in the E12/E13 range, but does not automatically justify E13 classification.

Relevant work experience (here: approx. three years) may:

* influence the pay step (Stufe) within a pay group (cf. TV-V provisions comparable to § 16 TVöD),
* but does not determine the pay group itself if the assigned tasks do not meet the higher-level criteria.

Foreign work experience can be taken into account if it is relevant and verifiable. Experience gained as a student assistant is often only partially recognized, if at all, for classification purposes—this is a common point of dispute.

4. Assessment in the present case (with reservations)

Only a rough tendency can be outlined:

* Entry at E12 is common for MSc graduates in utility companies when starting in roles without substantial conceptual or strategic responsibility.
* Entry at E13 is possible where the position already includes conceptual work, project leadership, or strategic responsibility.

The decisive question is therefore not:
“What degree does the person have?”
but:
“What tasks are permanently assigned to the position?”

5. Conclusion

A sound classification requires at least:

* a detailed task description (including time shares),
* organizational context of the position,
* scope of responsibility (technical, organizational, financial),
* extent of conceptual/strategic work.

Without this information, any classification between E12 and E13 remains speculative.