Career change as a stage technician

Career change paths

• Crane operator

  Also: Tower crane operator

  With on-the-job training

  As a crane operator you move loads on construction sites, in ports or industrial halls, check the crane before starting work and work closely with the riggers, and the job is physically less strenuous than working on the ground.

  What you bring:

  You know loads, anchor points, hand signals and radio communication with the crane operator from every lift.

  How to get there:

  Crane operator courses at training providers usually take one to two weeks depending on the type of crane. After that, the employer authorizes you in writing. An occupational health examination and a head for heights are required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,153gross per monthMedian salary

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• Inspector for lifting accessories and hoists

  Also: Inspector for personal fall protection equipment

  With on-the-job training

  As an inspector at rental companies, manufacturers or testing services you check lifting accessories, hoists and fall protection, document inspections and sort out defective parts.

  What you bring:

  You recognize wear on ropes, chains, straps and shackles and know when a part is no longer safe.

  How to get there:

  You take courses to become a competent person (befähigte Person) for lifting accessories, hoists or fall protection equipment, at manufacturers and training providers. They usually take a few days. After that you work mostly in the workshop and warehouse instead of at height.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €5,648gross per monthMedian salary

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• Crane fitter

  Also: Service technician for lifting technology

  With on-the-job training

  As a crane fitter or service technician for lifting technology you install, service and repair cranes, hoists and winches at customers and check their safety.

  What you bring:

  You know chain hoists, winches, ropes and cranes from daily work and understand their technology.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and service companies give fitters with experience in lifting technology on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), often with manufacturer courses. A metal or electrical qualification is usually expected. Without such a qualification, you can retrain (Umschulung) as an industrial mechanic (Industriemechaniker/Industriemechanikerin), which usually takes a good 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €4,563gross per monthMedian salary

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• Overhead line installer

  Also: Installer in grid expansion

  With on-the-job training

  In overhead line construction you install pylons, pull in conductor cables and tension them, service lines and help with the expansion of power grids.

  What you bring:

  You work confidently with ropes, pulls and tensioning devices at great height and know fall protection and rescue.

  How to get there:

  Overhead line construction companies give fitters who are fit for work at height and have rope experience on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), and they can require a medical fitness examination for work with a risk of falling. For electrical work you additionally need a qualification as an electrically qualified person (Elektrofachkraft). Installation at changing construction sites is the rule.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,657gross per monthMedian salary

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• Project manager for event technology

  Also: Production manager for events

  With on-the-job training

  As a project or production manager you plan events technically and organizationally, coordinate service providers and staff and keep to schedule and budget.

  What you bring:

  You know set-up routines, hall conditions, load plans and how trades work together at events.

  How to get there:

  Event service providers and agencies give experienced technicians on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in planning, calculation and customer contact, usually over a few months. Further training as a certified senior event specialist (Geprüfter Veranstaltungsfachwirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) can help later.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekends
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• Industrial climber

  Also: Work-at-height specialist

  With on-the-job training

  As an industrial climber you carry out inspection, installation and cleaning work on facades, wind turbines, bridges and industrial plants where scaffolds or lifting platforms would be too costly.

  What you bring:

  You have a head for heights, work safely on the rope and know anchoring and rescue techniques.

  How to get there:

  You train following the standards of the professional associations for rope-supported work. The first level usually takes about a week, followed by practice hours and higher levels. The courses require an occupational health examination for work with a risk of falling.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors
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• Media technician at a university

  Also: IT and media technician in a company

  With on-the-job training

  At universities, public authorities or companies you look after conference rooms, lecture halls and video conferencing systems, train users, and usually work regular hours.

  What you bring:

  You set up sound, image, projection and cameras quickly and fix faults, even when the audience is already waiting.

  How to get there:

  Employers usually give specialists from event or media technology a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in their systems and network. Basic IT knowledge is important, and vendor training for conference and control technology often takes only a few days.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,400gross per monthMedian salary

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• Network technician

  Also: Systems technician for networked media technology

  With on-the-job training

  As a network or systems technician you plan, install and look after networks and servers at companies, IT system integrators or broadcasters.

  What you bring:

  You work with networked sound, video and control systems and know signal paths, protocols and troubleshooting.

  How to get there:

  IT system integrators and companies give media technicians with IT knowledge on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Vendor certificates for network technology, which you gain in courses of a few weeks, help you with this. You can earn an IT qualification through retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist (Fachinformatiker), which usually takes a good two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €5,667gross per monthMedian salary

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• Production manager for film and television

  Also: Post-production supervisor

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As production manager or post-production supervisor you plan shooting days or post-production, staff and technology, organize permits and service providers, and make sure the production stays within time and budget.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes on set, in the studio, in editing and in live productions, and you know what technology, team and schedule need.

  How to get there:

  Production companies and broadcasters often fill such jobs with experienced people from technology or production, usually after some projects as an assistant. Jobs can be project-based and fixed-term. Courses in production management at industry training providers can help.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workLittle customer contact
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• Sales employee for media and event technology

  Also: Technical specialist adviser at an AV specialist retailer

  With on-the-job training

  At manufacturers, rental companies or specialist retailers you advise customers, plan suitable systems, prepare quotes and support projects through to handover.

  What you bring:

  You know mixing consoles, speakers, cameras and lighting systems from hands-on experience, and you know what works in which environment.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and retailers give technicians on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) with product and sales training lasting a few weeks to a few months. A class B driving license is usually expected. Look for a permanent position, because as a self-employed commercial agent you usually work on commission only.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Building technician in a cultural center

  Also: Caretaker

  With on-the-job training

  As a building technician or caretaker in cultural centers, schools or residential complexes you keep buildings and technology in good shape, usually at more regular hours than in performance operations.

  What you bring:

  You can build and repair things, look after lighting and technology, and work independently.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the employer. Practical experience is an advantage there, and for heating and electrics, building technology courses of a few weeks help. On-call duty and winter service may be part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trade fair builder

  Also: Set builder

  With on-the-job training

  In trade fair and store construction or in set workshops you build booths, exhibitions and decorations and design rooms for customers.

  What you bring:

  You build props and decorations, can work with wood, paint and fabric, and work precisely under time pressure.

  How to get there:

  Trade fair construction companies and workshops usually give people with craft skills on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) directly. Installations often take place away from home and in short, intense phases. If you want a qualification of your own, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as scenic painter and sculptor (Bühnenmaler und Bühnenplastiker) or carpenter (Tischler), depending on the direction also as retraining (Umschulung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding
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• Media technician for conference rooms

  Also: Service technician for presentation technology

  With on-the-job training

  At system integrators you install and maintain conference, presentation and media technology in companies, schools and universities, usually during the day and on weekdays.

  What you bring:

  You know lighting, sound and video technology, lay cables cleanly and find faults under time pressure.

  How to get there:

  Media technology system integrators usually give people from event technology on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) directly, and vendor training takes a few days. Basic knowledge of network technology is an advantage, and you can gain it in short courses.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €3,400gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for event technology

  Also: Lecturer in sound and media technology

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer or lecturer you look after apprentices and course participants at a company, training center or media academy and prepare them for their exams.

  What you bring:

  You have mastered sound, lighting, video and safety rules in practice, and you can explain how things connect.

  How to get there:

  With a vocational qualification and work experience you generally meet the professional requirements. You also need to pass the trainer aptitude exam (Ausbildereignungsprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The preparation course takes a few weeks and can be done alongside a job. Full-time jobs exist mainly at training providers, media academies and larger event companies.*Regulated by law (§ 30 Vocational Training Act (BBiG), Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €5,075gross per monthMedian salary

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• Electronics technician for energy and building technology

  Also: Electronics technician for building system integration

  With retraining

  As an electronics technician you install systems in buildings, set up building automation, networks and media technology, and usually work regular hours.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with electricity, cables, connectors and controls, and you know electrical safety from event work.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as electronics technician, which usually takes a little over two years and is often funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). With relevant work experience, a shortened training or an external exam (Externenprüfung) is sometimes possible. For your own business you later need the master craftsperson qualification (Meister) or an equivalent authorization, because the electrical trade requires a license.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demanding

  €3,675gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical director of a theater

  Also: Technical director of an event venue

  With further trainingPromotion

  As technical director of a theater or an event venue you are responsible for set-up, staff and safety on stages, in halls or assembly venues.

  What you bring:

  You know stage technology, safety rules and how rehearsals and performances run from many years of practice.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for master craftsperson in event technology (Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications), and the duration depends on the provider. You are admitted with a qualification as event technology specialist (Fachkraft für Veranstaltungstechnik), with other vocational training plus at least one year of work experience, or with at least four years of work experience. The assembly venue ordinances of the states regulate who bears the technical responsibility at large events.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact
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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.