Career change as a roofer

Career change paths

• Installer of photovoltaic systems

  Also: Solar installer

  With on-the-job training

  At a solar company you install photovoltaic systems and, with an electrotechnical additional qualification, also take over parts of the installation.

  What you bring:

  You work confidently on the roof and know how mounts and penetrations are installed tight and storm-proof.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at a solar or electrical specialist company (Einarbeitung), and roofers are in demand there for installation. For work on the electrics you need an electrotechnical qualification, for example a course to become an electrically qualified person for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten) or the further training as a solar installer (Solarteur) at chambers of crafts and training providers. Depending on scope, this takes a few weeks to months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLots of time outdoors
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• Field technical advisor, roofing materials

  Also: Application technician for waterproofing systems

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer or building materials trade you advise roofing businesses and planners, train installers and help with complaints on the site.

  What you bring:

  You know from practice which tiles, membranes and insulation materials are processed how and where damage occurs on the roof.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or dealer (Einarbeitung) with product training, usually for a few weeks to months. A journeyman certificate and driving license class B are generally expected, and for application technology often also the master qualification. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed sales agent you usually work only on commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Caretaker

  Also: Property caretaker

  With on-the-job training

  As a caretaker at housing companies, schools or hospitals you keep buildings in good shape and also take care of technology, grounds and winter maintenance (snow clearing).

  What you bring:

  You can check roofs, gutters and facades and fix small damage yourself before bigger damage occurs.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the employer (Einarbeitung). The journeyman certificate is an advantage, and for heating and electrics, building services courses of a few weeks help. You work mostly on the ground and in buildings, and on-call duty can come on top.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Industrial climber

  Also: Rope access technician

  With on-the-job training

  As an industrial climber you reach facades, roofs, bridges or wind turbines on the rope and carry out inspections, repairs, waterproofing or installations there.

  What you bring:

  You work confidently at height every day, know anchor points, fall protection and weather and pitch in with your hands.

  How to get there:

  You take a course in rope access technique, for example following FISAT or IRATA, usually about a week with an exam, plus the occupational health examination for work with a risk of falling. Companies for work at height look for tradespeople with a journeyman certificate, because work on the rope requires professional skill. Travel and installation jobs are usual, and for wind turbines separate safety trainings are added.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors
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• Master roofer

  Also: Foreman for roofing work

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a master craftsperson (Meister) or foreman (Polier) you take measurements, plan material and crews, lead sites and check execution.

  What you bring:

  You know pitched roofs, flat roofs, waterproofing, insulation and fall protection from daily work.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the roofing trade takes about one year full-time and 2 to 3 years alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with the journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief). For your own business you need the master qualification or an equivalent entitlement, because the roofing trade requires a license.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLots of time outdoors
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• State-certified construction technician

  Also: Building energy consultant

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a construction technician or energy consultant you assess buildings, plan renovations, prepare tenders and supervise execution.

  What you bring:

  You know roof structures, thermal insulation, waterproofing and typical moisture damage from practice.

  How to get there:

  The vocational college for construction technology (Fachschule für Bautechnik) takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Access is usually with a journeyman certificate and at least one year of work experience; the federal state sets the exact rules. With a master or technician qualification, further training to become a building energy consultant is also possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €5,500gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist

  Also: Safety specialist in construction

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an occupational safety specialist you advise businesses, assess hazards on construction sites and train the employees.

  What you bring:

  You work every day with fall protection, scaffolding and anchor points and know the risks on the roof exactly.

  How to get there:

  The requirement is generally the master craftsperson exam or a technician qualification followed by work experience. After that comes the training as an occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit) at a statutory accident insurance fund (Berufsgenossenschaft), for example BG BAU. It runs alongside work in several stages, with in-person and self-study phases.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

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• Expert in the roofing trade

  Also: Claims adjuster for storm and hail damage

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an expert or claims adjuster you assess damage on site and write expert reports for insurers, courts or clients.

  What you bring:

  You recognize leaks, storm damage and execution errors on the roof and know how they are properly fixed.

  How to get there:

  This usually follows the master craftsperson exam and several years of work experience. Chambers of crafts and training providers offer courses for experts alongside work. Insurers give new adjusters on-the-job training themselves (Einarbeitung). To become publicly appointed and sworn, the chamber must first check your special expertise.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people
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• Construction design technician

  With retraining

  As a construction design technician you create plans, details and digital building models on the computer for architecture and engineering offices or construction firms.

  What you bring:

  You read roof plans, details and sections and know how connections on the roof are carried out in practice.

  How to get there:

  Retraining (Umschulung) as a construction design technician (Bautechnischer Konstrukteur/Bautechnische Konstrukteurin, formerly Bauzeichner) usually takes about 2 years and can often be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The work is physically much lighter and without heights, but you need to enjoy working at a screen.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,947gross per monthMedian salary

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• Instructor in the roofing trade

  Also: Instructor at an inter-company training center

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an instructor you practice with trainees on practice roofs and prepare them for the journeyman exam.

  What you bring:

  You are skilled in roofing types, waterproofing and safe work on the roof in practice and can demonstrate techniques well.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the roofing trade also includes trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung). It takes about one year full-time and longer alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Full-time instructor jobs exist, for example, at inter-company training centers and training facilities of the roofing trade.*Regulated by law (Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €5,075gross per monthMedian salary

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• Hazardous materials remediation worker

  Also: Asbestos remediation worker

  With further training

  In hazardous materials remediation you dismantle roofs, facades, plasters or floor coverings containing asbestos and other pollutants under strict safety rules, often with breathing apparatus and in sealed-off areas.

  What you bring:

  You know asbestos cement panels, old roofing felt and old roofs and work with fall protection and protective equipment.

  How to get there:

  Under the Hazardous Substances Ordinance, work with asbestos requires a specialist qualification (Fachkunde), and the supervisor on site needs an expertise certificate (Sachkunde) from an officially recognized course with an exam. The certificate is renewed every 6 years through further training, and the courses usually take a few days. If you already have an expertise certificate for work on asbestos cement roofs, check whether it is enough for the planned remediation work. Occupational health checks and fitness for breathing apparatus are part of it.*Regulated by law (Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV) § 11a and Annex I number 3).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,703gross 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.