Career change as a construction laborer

Career change paths

• Construction machine operator

  Also: Excavator operator

  With on-the-job training

  As a construction machine operator, you operate excavators, wheel loaders or rollers, dig pits and move material, physically much less demanding than work with shovel and wheelbarrow.

  What you bring:

  You know construction site processes, earthworks and the agreements between equipment operator and crew from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a construction or earthworks company, often with a construction machine course of a few weeks, plus written authorization by the company. For driving on public roads, you need the right driving license. Retraining (Umschulung) as a construction equipment operator (Baugeräteführer/in), usually about 2 years, gives you a qualification.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €4,089gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tower crane operator

  Also: Crane operator

  With on-the-job training

  As a crane operator, you lift material, formwork and precast parts to the right place and work mainly in the cab or with radio remote control.

  What you bring:

  You know rigging loads, hand signals and radio communication with the crane from daily work on the construction site.

  How to get there:

  A crane operator course under DGUV Principle 309-003 (DGUV Grundsatz 309-003) at a training provider usually takes a few days to two weeks for tower cranes. You also need proof that you are medically fit and written authorization by the company. Construction companies also qualify their own people for this.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,153gross per monthMedian salary

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• Caretaker

  Also: Caretaker service worker

  With on-the-job training

  At a caretaker service or housing company, you look after buildings, outdoor areas, small repairs and winter maintenance.

  What you bring:

  You can handle tools and machines and do smaller jobs such as touching up, tidying and transport independently.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the employer. Caretaker services also hire career changers without a vocational qualification, while for caretaker jobs at housing companies or municipalities a trade qualification is often expected. Courses in building services of a few weeks improve your chances.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Scaffolder

  With on-the-job training

  In scaffolding, you erect, convert and dismantle facade, working and protective scaffolds, secure them against falling and tipping over and work at heights a lot.

  What you bring:

  You are used to physical work outdoors, move confidently on the construction site and pitch in as a team.

  How to get there:

  Scaffolding companies hire helpers and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the crew, with instruction in fall protection and occupational medical care for work with a risk of falling. A qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a scaffolder (Gerüstbauer/in), 3 years. After 4.5 years in scaffolding, the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer) can also admit you to the journeyman exam (Gesellenprüfung) without training (§ 37 para. 2 HwO). Later the certified scaffolding crew leader (Geprüfter Gerüstbau-Kolonnenführer) is possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,633gross per monthMedian salary

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• Bricklayer

  With retrainingPromotion

  With the qualification, you lay bricks and pour concrete yourself and take on tasks for which companies are looking for skilled workers.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes in shell construction and building materials such as bricks, mortar and concrete, and already work hand in hand with bricklayers.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as a bricklayer (Maurer/in) usually takes about 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). If you have worked at least 4.5 years as a bricklayer, the chamber can also admit you to the journeyman exam (Gesellenprüfung) without training, and it decides case by case whether your work as a helper counts. From age 25, there is also the validation procedure, in which the chamber assesses and certifies your work experience.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,990gross per monthMedian salary

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• Truck driver in building materials trade

  Also: Truck mixer driver

  With further training

  As a truck driver, you deliver building materials, concrete or equipment to construction sites, often with a loader crane, and work largely independently on the road.

  What you bring:

  You know construction sites, building materials and loading and unloading material from practice.

  How to get there:

  You need a driving license class C or CE plus the accelerated basic qualification (Grundqualifikation) with 140 teaching units and an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Together they usually take a few months and are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). For the loader crane, you also need a short course. Alternatively, there is vocational training (Ausbildung) as a professional driver (Berufskraftfahrer/in), 3 years.*Regulated by law (Driving License Ordinance (FeV), Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV) § 2).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse specialist

  Also: Warehouse logistics specialist

  With retraining

  In the warehouse of a building materials dealer, construction company or logistics company, you receive goods, store them, put deliveries together and drive forklifts.

  What you bring:

  You know building materials, tools and equipment and know what is needed on the construction site when.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as a warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist/in) usually takes about 16 months, and as a warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) usually 2 years. Both are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein), and the forklift license is usually included. You can also start as a warehouse helper with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), but the qualification brings better jobs.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

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• Security guard

  Also: Property protection worker

  With further training

  In the security service, you guard sites, buildings and construction sites, do inspection rounds and check access points, physically less demanding than work on construction.

  What you bring:

  You are used to working outdoors in all weather and know construction sites and company premises from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  Briefing under § 34a GewO (Unterrichtung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) takes at least 40 teaching hours. You also need German skills at least at level B1 and a reliability check by the authority. For inspection rounds in publicly accessible areas or admission to discos, you need the expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) at the IHK instead.*Regulated by law (Trade Regulation Code (GewO) § 34a, Security Services Ordinance (BewachV) § 6).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically light

  €3,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems mechanic

  With retrainingPromotion

  As a systems mechanic, you install and maintain water pipes, bathrooms, heating systems and heat pumps and work mostly in buildings instead of in shell construction.

  What you bring:

  You know construction sites, construction processes and working together with other trades and can pitch in with your hands.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as a systems mechanic for plumbing, heating and air conditioning (Anlagenmechaniker/in SHK) usually takes a good 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The alternative is vocational training (Ausbildung) of 3.5 years. Good German skills and basics in math are important for vocational school and the exam.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demanding

  €3,797gross per monthMedian salary

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• Skilled building construction worker

  With retrainingPromotion

  As a skilled building construction worker, you lay bricks, build formwork and pour concrete independently, read plans and work as a skilled worker in the crew.

  What you bring:

  You know construction sites, formwork, masonry, concrete and reinforcement from helper work and assist skilled workers every day.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a skilled building construction worker (Hochbaufacharbeiter/in) takes 2 years. Since August 2026 it follows the new Building Construction Occupations Training Ordinance (Hochbauberufeausbildungsverordnung), with focuses such as masonry or concrete and reinforced concrete work. Retraining (Umschulung) takes correspondingly less time. After 3 years of work in building construction, the chamber can also admit you to the exam without training (§ 45 para. 2 BBiG, § 37 para. 2 HwO). The two-year training can be credited with 2 years towards the training as a bricklayer.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,720gross 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.