Indeed. And there are additional advantages to being an employee as opposed to getting a stipend. E.g. I now work in Germany as a researcher (roughly the equivalent of assistant professor) and my four years as a PhD are counted towards my working experience. My wife and some colleagues who were on a stipend did not get any PhD years counted towards working experience, since to the system 'stipend' means 'student' means 'no real working experience'.

So, income-wise it also gives you an advantage of four years.