SPECOPSLAB

GSG 9 vs KSK

Fitness test and pay side by side. The published minimum fitness standards of GSG 9 and KSK, event by event, with pay where we have it. Higher levels are in the paid report.

GERMANYGSG 9 der Bundespolizei — EinsatzbeamterEignungsauswahlverfahren (EAV) — sports test minimumsAPPROXIMATElast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →GERMANYKommando Spezialkräfte (KSK) — KommandosoldatPFV Phase 1 — minimum standards (Kommandosoldat)OFFICIALlast verified 2026-10-18Open the calculator →

Minimum standards, event by event

EventGSG 9KSK
Bench press at 75% of body weight (reps)10only this unit—
Strict pull-ups (overhand, shoulder-width, from dead hang)KSK: Pull-ups (overhand, from dead hang)10stricter7
Cooper test (12-minute run)3,000 monly this unit—
100 m sprint13.4 sonly this unit—
Standing long jump2.4 monly this unit—
Indoor obstacle course (Hallenhindernisbahn, 14 obstacles)3:30only this unit—
Sit-ups (30 s)—20only this unit
Push-ups, hand-release (30 s)—22only this unit
Coordination course—2:00only this unit
Casualty transport (approx. 38 m, 2 obstacles)—2:00only this unit
200 m swim in combat uniform (+ undress in water)—7:30only this unit
20 km march with 20 kg—210 minonly this unit

Events in the same row are similar but not identical — read the event names.

Higher levels (e.g. competitive or elevated standards) and your gap to each are in the paid report.

Where the bar is higher

GSG 9 sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups.

GSG 9 tests 6 events, KSK tests 7 events.

Pay

GSG 9
€4,301 / monthWhat a GSG 9 operator earns · Polizeiobermeister (A 8) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional
KSK
€4,541 / monthWhat a KSK commando soldier (Kommandosoldat) earns · Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3 · default scenario, grosspartly provisional

Amounts are in each country’s own currency and are not converted.

Questions

Is GSG 9 or KSK harder to get into?

GSG 9 sets the higher minimum in: pull-ups. These are only the published fitness minimums; selection itself, medical and other requirements differ, and passing the minimum does not guarantee selection.

How do the GSG 9 and KSK fitness tests differ?

GSG 9: 6 events (bench 75%, pull-ups, cooper, sprint 100, long jump, obstacle). KSK: 7 events (pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups, coord, casualty, swim 200, march 20k).

Does GSG 9 or KSK pay more?

GSG 9: €4,301/month (Polizeiobermeister (A 8) · Stufe 3); KSK: €4,541/month (Oberfeldwebel (A 7) · Stufe 3) (default scenarios, gross). The default scenarios use different ranks and seniority, so this is not a like-for-like comparison — set the same rank in the pay calculator on each unit page.

Sources:
GSG 9
KSK