Career change as a pharmacy assistant

Career change paths

• Pharmaceutical representative (Pharmareferent)

  Also: Pharmaceutical sales consultant

  With on-the-job training

  As a pharmaceutical representative, you visit doctors' practices, clinics and pharmacies, inform them about your company's medicines, take reports on side effects and organize further training.

  What you bring:

  You know active substances, dosage forms and interactions and explain medicines in an understandable way every day.

  How to get there:

  With your qualification as a pharmaceutical-technical assistant (PTA), you already have the expertise that § 75 of the Medicinal Products Act (Arzneimittelgesetz) requires for pharmaceutical consultants, so you do not need the exam for pharmaceutical representative. Companies train you with product and sales training of a few weeks. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are expected.*Regulated by law (Medicinal Products Act (AMG) § 75).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lab associate in pharmaceutical quality control

  Also: Lab technician in drug analysis

  With on-the-job training

  In the quality control of a pharmaceutical company or testing lab, you analyze raw materials and finished medicines with methods such as chromatography and titration and work according to the rules of Good Manufacturing Practice.

  What you bring:

  You test starting materials, prepare formulations according to regulations and keep complete records.

  How to get there:

  Pharmaceutical companies and testing labs hire pharmaceutical-technical assistants (PTA) for analytics and sample preparation and train them for a few weeks to months, usually with GMP training. For demanding measuring methods, some labs prefer chemical lab technicians (Chemielaboranten). Shift work is possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsShift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,317gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality assurance associate in the pharmaceutical industry

  Also: Quality assurance technician

  With on-the-job training

  In the quality assurance of a pharmaceutical company, you check manufacturing and test protocols, handle deviations and complaints, maintain work instructions and prepare releases and inspections.

  What you bring:

  You work according to regulations, check details for plausibility and document the manufacture and testing of medicines without gaps.

  How to get there:

  Pharmaceutical manufacturers and contract manufacturers hire pharmaceutical-technical assistants (PTA) for quality assurance and documentation and train them for a few weeks to months, with training on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). English skills are often expected. Batch release remains reserved for the qualified person (sachkundige Person), who under § 15 AMG must be a pharmacist or have a university degree in natural sciences or medicine.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,017gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clinical study assistant

  Also: Study coordinator at a clinic

  With on-the-job training

  As a study assistant in clinics or study centers, you organize appointments for study participants, manage investigational products, record data and keep the study documents up to date according to the rules of Good Clinical Practice.

  What you bring:

  You work precisely according to regulations, know medicines and side effects and document without gaps.

  How to get there:

  You can start with on-the-job training, supplemented by courses on Good Clinical Practice and study assistance at professional societies and training providers, usually a few days to a few weeks. Positions exist mainly at university clinics and in study centers, often fixed-term because they are tied to individual studies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,447gross per monthMedian salary

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• Customer support specialist for pharmacy software

  Also: IT support specialist in healthcare

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer of pharmacy software, you help pharmacy teams with problems by phone or on site, set up systems and train new customers.

  What you bring:

  You know inventory management, e-prescriptions, the cash register system and the procedures in the pharmacy from daily work.

  How to get there:

  Software companies for pharmacies deliberately hire pharmaceutical-technical assistants (PTA) and train them in their programs for a few weeks to months. An IT qualification is usually not required, but technical interest and patience on the phone are. For training on site, willingness to travel is often expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,568gross per monthMedian salary

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• Medicines case officer at a health insurance fund

  Also: Prescription review officer

  With on-the-job training

  At a health insurance fund or a pharmacy billing center, you check prescriptions and billing, process applications for medicines and medical aids and answer questions from insured persons and pharmacies.

  What you bring:

  You know prescription rules, discount contracts, co-payments and medical aids from pharmacy practice.

  How to get there:

  Health insurance funds and pharmacy billing centers hire pharmaceutical-technical assistants (PTA) for medicine and medical aid topics and train them internally, often over a few months. The work is mostly office work with fixed hours, and some positions require additional further training by the fund.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,964gross per monthMedian salary

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• Senior sales assistant (Erstverkäufer)

  Also: Team leader sales, Shift leader in retail

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As team leader you plan shifts, guide new colleagues, and make sure goods and cash desk are in order.

  What you bring:

  You know the product range, the flow of goods and the customers of your branch, and you know where things get stuck in daily business.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal promotion with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), usually after a few years in sales. Some retailers offer their own management training for this.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people
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• Field sales employee

  Also: Customer care employee in field sales

  With on-the-job training

  In field sales you visit business customers such as retailers or craft businesses, advise them, and take orders.

  What you bring:

  You recognize in conversation what customers need, and you know your products exactly.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the manufacturer or wholesaler, usually a few weeks to a few months of product training. A class B driving license is almost always required, and specialist knowledge from your industry makes entry easier. Look for a permanent position: as a self-employed commercial agent you usually work on commission only and bear the risk yourself.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Customer adviser in customer service

  Also: Customer hotline employee

  With on-the-job training

  In customer service you do that by phone, in chat or by email.

  What you bring:

  You can explain products, clarify complaints and stay calm even with dissatisfied customers.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the company, usually a few weeks of training in products and software. Career changers are common in this area.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible

  €2,819gross per monthMedian salary

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• Car rental employee

  Also: Rental assistant

  With on-the-job training

  In car rental you conclude rental contracts, hand over vehicles, and take them back.

  What you bring:

  You already sell, advise and take payments, and you know how to offer extras in an appropriate way.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the rental station, usually lasting a few weeks. A class B driving license is almost always required, and at airports and train stations English too.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Lots of contact with people

  €3,237gross per monthMedian salary

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• Nursing assistant

  Also: Nursing specialist assistant (Pflegefachassistent)

  With on-the-job training

  In nursing assistance you support people with personal care, meals and mobility; you learn the nursing skills on the job.

  What you bring:

  You deal every day with very different people, stay friendly even under stress, and like helping.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a nursing assistant after a basic nursing course (Pflegebasiskurs) of a few weeks. You can earn a qualification through the training as nursing specialist assistant (Pflegefachassistent): it will be uniform nationwide from 2027 and takes 18 months full-time. With work experience in nursing it can be shortened.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,296gross per monthMedian salary

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• Hygiene inspector at the public health office (Gesundheitsamt)

  With further training

  As a hygiene inspector, you check clinics, nursing homes, practices, schools and communal facilities for the public health office, advise them and investigate cases of infection.

  What you bring:

  You work according to strict hygiene rules and know disinfectants, testing regulations and legal requirements in healthcare.

  How to get there:

  You train in the public health service under state law, with theory at an academy or technical college and practice at the public health office, usually about 2 years depending on the federal state. Public health offices usually select applicants with completed training in a health profession for this. The title and process differ by state.*Regulated by law (State law: training and examination regulations of the states for hygiene inspectors).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,905gross per monthMedian salary

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• Medical laboratory technologist (Medizinische/r Technologe/Technologin für Laboratoriumsanalytik)

  With vocational training

  In the medical laboratory of a clinic or a lab company, you analyze blood, urine and tissue samples, operate analysis devices and check the results for plausibility.

  What you bring:

  You work confidently in the lab, know analytics and chemistry and document precisely.

  How to get there:

  You train under the MT Professions Act, 3 years full-time or up to 5 years part-time, at a state-recognized school with practice in the lab and clinic, and you receive a training allowance. Parts of your PTA training can be credited on request if they are equivalent, and the responsible authority decides.*Regulated by law (MT Professions Act (MTBG) §§ 13, 14).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,064gross per monthMedian salary

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• Branch manager

  Also: Deputy branch manager, Store manager

  With further trainingPromotion

  As branch manager you also bear responsibility for staff, revenue planning and costs.

  What you bring:

  You know ordering goods, inventory, customer service and cash desk processes from everyday life in a branch.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there through the deputy branch manager role, as a rule with a qualification in retail. Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified senior retail specialist (Handelsfachwirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted, for example, with a salesperson qualification and two years of work experience, or, without a qualification, after five years of work experience in retail.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsPhysically light
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• Purchasing planner in retail

  Also: Buyer

  With further trainingPromotion

  In planning and purchasing you plan order quantities, negotiate with suppliers, and steer the supply of goods to the branches.

  What you bring:

  Every day you see which goods sell, where gaps appear on the shelf and how stock develops.

  How to get there:

  A commercial qualification is usually expected, for example as retail clerk (Kaufmann im Einzelhandel) or in wholesale and foreign trade management, along with experience in retail. Part-time further training in purchasing at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) prepares you specifically for it.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Department store detective

  Also: Store detective

  With further training

  Store detectives observe inconspicuously, approach suspects, and document incidents for retailers and the police.

  What you bring:

  You know the sales floor, typical theft methods and the weak points in merchandise protection.

  How to get there:

  To protect stores against shoplifters on behalf of a security or detective service, you must pass the expertise exam under § 34a GewO (Sachkundeprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses usually take a few weeks and can partly be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*Regulated by law (§ 34a Trade Regulation Act (GewO), Security Services Ordinance (BewachV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workLots of contact with people

  €3,283gross per monthMedian salary

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• Visual marketing designer (Gestalter für visuelles Marketing)

  Also: Visual merchandiser

  With vocational training

  In visual marketing you plan shop windows, sales areas and decorations for whole branches.

  What you bring:

  You set up goods, design tables and shelves, and notice which presentation appeals to customers.

  How to get there:

  You can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as visual marketing designer (Gestalter für visuelles Marketing), which takes three years and is often shortened with work experience. At large fashion retailers, an internal switch into visual merchandising with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) is also possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Little customer contact

  €3,117gross per monthMedian salary

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• Insurance agent

  Also: Customer adviser in insurance

  With further training

  In insurance intermediation you advise private and business customers on protection and planning ahead.

  What you bring:

  You recognize needs in conversation, explain offers clearly, and look after customers over a longer time.

  How to get there:

  As an employee of an insurer you need no permit and no expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) of your own. Your employer must make sure you are suitably qualified. Some employers still expect you to pass the exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) to become an insurance intermediation specialist (Fachmann für Versicherungsvermittlung), and preparation usually takes a few weeks to a few months. Anyone who takes part in advising must prove 15 hours of further training every year. For self-employed intermediation you need a permit under § 34d GewO with proof of expertise. Some offers are self-employed agent work on commission, while employed positions are more likely to be found directly at insurers.*Regulated by law (§ 34d Trade Regulation Act (GewO), Insurance Intermediary Ordinance (VersVermV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,797gross per monthMedian salary

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• Office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement)

  Also: Office clerk

  With retraining

  In the office you also handle correspondence, invoices, filing and appointment planning, usually at fixed office hours instead of store opening hours.

  What you bring:

  You work with merchandise management, orders, delivery notes and the cash desk, and you deal confidently with customers.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement), which usually takes two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The regular vocational training (Ausbildung) takes three years. With completed commercial training in retail, a direct switch into casework is often possible as well.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,810gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist)

  Also: Warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik)

  With retraining

  In the warehouse you take care of goods receipt, storage, order picking, and shipping to branches or customers.

  What you bring:

  You know goods receipt, inventory, the merchandise management system and putting goods away from the store.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist), which usually takes about 16 months, or as warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik), which usually takes two years. It can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Large retail chains also fill jobs in their central warehouses internally, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.