Career change as a content manager
With your experience you can switch to 20 jobs in Germany: 17 with on-the-job training and 3 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
-
Frontend developer
Also: Software developer
With on-the-job training
As a frontend or software developer, you build web interfaces and applications in a developer team, often with modern frameworks.
- What you bring:
- You know HTML, CSS and JavaScript and already build interactive websites.
- How to get there:
- Software companies and agencies hire web developers with a good portfolio. If you lack knowledge of frameworks, testing or version control, courses of a few weeks help. A vocational qualification such as IT specialist in application development (Fachinformatiker für Anwendungsentwicklung) is helpful, but not mandatory.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,986gross per monthMedian salary
-
Digital accessibility auditor
Also: UX designer
With on-the-job training
As an accessibility auditor, you test websites and apps with assistive tools such as screen readers; as a UX designer, you improve usability and user flows.
- What you bring:
- You know how websites are built and how users move around on them.
- How to get there:
- Agencies, testing bodies and companies train web developers in standards such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and in testing methods. Courses on this take a few days to weeks. Since 28 June 2025, the Accessibility Strengthening Act (Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz) has applied among other things to e-commerce services for consumers, such as online shops.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€4,893gross per monthMedian salary
-
IT project manager
Also: IT product manager
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As an IT project or product manager, you manage web projects and digital products, plan requirements and deadlines and lead a team.
- What you bring:
- You know web projects from concept to launch and know where things get stuck between clients, design and development.
- How to get there:
- Agencies and companies often turn experienced web developers into project managers, and you can earn certificates in project management or Scrum in courses of a few days. You then program less and spend more time in conversations.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible€7,647gross per monthMedian salary
-
IT consultant
Also: Consultant for shop and content management systems
With on-the-job training
As an IT consultant, you advise companies on the selection and rollout of web and shop software, gather requirements and support the implementation.
- What you bring:
- You know content management systems, shop systems and interfaces from many projects.
- How to get there:
- Consulting firms and system integrators train web developers in consulting methods and their products, often with vendor certificates. Expect project work at the client's site.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible€5,568gross per monthMedian salary
-
ICT trainer
Also: Digital skills trainer
With on-the-job training
As an IT trainer, you train employees, people in retraining (Umschulung) or learners in web development, content management or digital tools.
- What you bring:
- You know web technologies, content management and online tools and can pass on knowledge in a practical way.
- How to get there:
- Training providers and companies use experienced developers as trainers. A trainer or teaching course of a few weeks and the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) help. You can start as a freelance instructor alongside your development work.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€5,449gross per monthMedian salary
-
PR officer
Also: Corporate communications officer
With on-the-job training
In press offices, agencies or associations, you write press releases, speeches and articles and handle media inquiries.
- What you bring:
- You write confidently in different tones, research thoroughly and get to the point.
- How to get there:
- Companies, agencies and organizations hire experienced authors with work samples directly. A PR traineeship (Volontariat) or a course in public relations helps you get in. Fixed working hours are more common than in freelance writing.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,318gross per monthMedian salary
-
Editor
Also: Online editor
With on-the-job training
In newspaper, magazine or online editorial offices, you write and edit articles and plan topics.
- What you bring:
- You research, write quickly and cleanly and can shape topics for readers.
- How to get there:
- The classic route is a traineeship (Volontariat), usually 1 to 2 years. With published work, direct entry also works. You can work in a permanent position or freelance.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€4,728gross per monthMedian salary
-
E-learning author
Also: Creative writing instructor
With on-the-job training
As an e-learning author, you write learning modules and scripts for companies and education providers; as an instructor, you teach writing courses at adult education centers (Volkshochschulen) and academies.
- What you bring:
- You can structure content, explain it clearly and keep readers engaged.
- How to get there:
- Education providers commission authors with work samples, often on a freelance basis at first. You can learn authoring tools in courses whose length depends on the provider. Permanent positions exist more in e-learning than in writing courses.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible€5,254gross per monthMedian salary
-
Literary translator
Also: Subtitler
With on-the-job training
If you have a very strong command of a foreign language, you translate books, subtitles or texts for publishers, broadcasters and agencies.
- What you bring:
- You have a fine sense of language, style and nuance, which is decisive in translating.
- How to get there:
- Literary translation is not a protected occupation, and publishers look for sample translations and references. Translators' associations and academies offer further training. For certified translations (beglaubigte Übersetzungen), you need an authorization or swearing-in under state law, which requires an exam.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€3,730gross per monthMedian salary
-
Podcast producer
Also: Audio producer
With on-the-job training
As a producer, you develop podcasts, radio plays or video formats, write scripts, conduct interviews and oversee the production.
- What you bring:
- You can build stories, write dialogue and sustain suspense, which every good audio or video production needs.
- How to get there:
- Broadcasters, production companies and agencies hire authors with work samples, and you can learn editing and recording technology in courses whose length depends on the provider. Some assignments are project-based.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightHome office possible€4,200gross per monthMedian salary
-
Head of communications
Also: Press spokesperson
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As a press spokesperson or head of communications, you are responsible for an organization's communications, advise senior management and lead a small team.
- What you bring:
- You can formulate messages clearly, set topics and know the media and publishers from the inside.
- How to get there:
- This move usually works out after a few years as an officer in a press office or PR agency. You learn crisis communication and media training in seminars and on the job.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office€7,384gross per monthMedian salary
-
Cultural manager
Also: Head of a literary center (Literaturhaus)
With on-the-job training
As a cultural manager, you plan readings, festivals and writing workshops, apply for funding and look after authors.
- What you bring:
- You know the literary scene, publishers, readings and funding programs from your own experience.
- How to get there:
- Literary centers, cultural offices and festivals hire people from the literary scene, often on a project basis at first. Courses in cultural management alongside work help.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people -
Head of marketing
Also: Marketing director
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As head of marketing, you own strategy, team and budget and work closely with sales and senior management.
- What you bring:
- You know campaigns, budgets, agencies and key metrics from many projects.
- How to get there:
- Promotion usually comes through a team lead role in your own company or a move to a smaller company. Leadership training takes a few days.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€7,900gross per monthMedian salary
-
Online marketing trainer
Also: Marketing lecturer in further education
With on-the-job training
As a trainer or instructor, you teach marketing and online marketing to employees, self-employed people and participants in further training courses.
- What you bring:
- You know tools and channels such as search engine advertising, social media and web analytics from hands-on work.
- How to get there:
- Training providers, chambers and academies hire practitioners as instructors, often on a freelance basis, and a trainer course of a few weeks helps. Making this your main job usually only works once you have many assignments.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible€5,254gross per monthMedian salary
-
Marketing consultant
Also: Management consultant for sales and marketing
With on-the-job training
As a consultant, you help companies improve positioning, prices and sales channels, either as an employee or self-employed.
- What you bring:
- You can analyze markets, customers and channels and derive measures from them.
- How to get there:
- Consulting firms bring experienced marketing professionals up to speed on projects. If you go self-employed, it is best to start with clients from your network and a clear focus.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible€6,311gross per monthMedian salary
-
Customer success manager
Also: Account manager for marketing software
With on-the-job training
At software vendors, you look after business customers, help with the rollout and build customer relationships.
- What you bring:
- You know marketing software, analysis tools and the needs of marketing departments from using them yourself.
- How to get there:
- Software vendors give you product training of a few weeks. Part of the pay is often performance-based.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible€6,745gross per monthMedian salary
-
Employer branding manager
Also: HR marketing officer
With on-the-job training
In HR marketing, you design campaigns, career pages and presences at trade fairs and on social media.
- What you bring:
- You know how to reach target groups and build a brand, and that is exactly what employers need when they are looking for skilled workers.
- How to get there:
- Companies train marketing professionals in HR processes and recruiting. Courses on employer branding take a few days.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible€5,147gross per monthMedian salary
-
Computer science teacher
Also: IT teacher at secondary level
With a degree
At a secondary school, you teach computer science and a second subject, and you introduce young people to programming and media literacy.
- What you bring:
- You can program and build web applications and understand how digital media work.
- How to get there:
- Depending on the federal state, an alternative route into teaching computer science (Seiteneinstieg) is possible with a university degree in computer science or a related subject. This is followed by a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) alongside work, usually 18 to 24 months. Without a suitable university degree, this path is generally closed.*Regulated by law (State law: teacher education acts and alternative-route regulations of the German states).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€5,466gross per monthMedian salary
-
Penetration tester
Also: IT security consultant
With further training
As a penetration tester or IT security consultant, you check websites and applications for security gaps and advise developers on how to close them.
- What you bring:
- You know web applications, forms, logins and interfaces from the inside, so you also know their typical weaknesses.
- How to get there:
- To get started, you need in-depth knowledge of networks and attack techniques, which you build over several months through further training and hands-on certificates. Security service providers often hire for junior positions first.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible€5,295gross per monthMedian salary
-
Business teacher at a vocational school
Also: Teacher via the alternative route (Seiteneinstieg)
With a degree
Through the alternative route into teaching (Seiteneinstieg), you teach future commercial clerks at vocational schools, for example in marketing communication, retail or office management.
- What you bring:
- You know marketing, sales and business administration from your studies and practice.
- How to get there:
- With a master's or diploma degree in economics, the alternative route into teaching at vocational schools is possible, depending on the federal state. You teach and qualify alongside work, usually for one to two years. You often need a second subject.*Regulated by law (State law: teacher education acts and alternative-route regulations of the German states).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact€5,140gross per monthMedian salary
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a content manager without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Frontend developer, Digital accessibility auditor, IT project manager, IT consultant, ICT trainer, PR officer, Editor, E-learning author, Literary translator, Podcast producer, Head of communications, Cultural manager, Head of marketing, Online marketing trainer, Marketing consultant, Customer success manager and Employer branding manager.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a content manager?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Computer science teacher, Penetration tester and Business teacher at a vocational school.
What promotion options do I have as a content manager?
Promotions include, for example: IT project manager, Head of communications and Head of marketing.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Head of marketing (€7,900 gross per month), IT project manager (€7,647 gross per month) and Head of communications (€7,384 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
Your job is not listed?
One sentence from you is enough.
Enter what you do today, in your own words if you like.
You see right away where you can switch to.