This article examines the relations between employees’ educational attainment and their income as well as their social status, considering the individuals’ social background. The data derive from the German BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey 2012. Social status is analyzed for the individuals’ first job and their current job using the International Socio- Economic Index of Occupational Status (ISEI). The results show that academic and further vocational qualifications have a positive effect on employees’ income compared to initial vocational qualifications. Especially academic qualifications are positively related to employees’ social status, while over time also (initial and further) vocational qualifications have a positive effect. The individuals’ social background is also positively related to their educational attainment – mostly for the group of academically qualified employees.