Career change as a data analyst
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 7 with on-the-job training and 1 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
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Head of IT
Also: IT project manager
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As an IT project manager or head of IT, you steer projects, budgets and teams and are responsible for keeping the systems running.
- What you bring:
- You know systems, requirements and departments and can bridge the gap between technology and senior management.
- How to get there:
- This move often happens internally through project or team lead roles. Certificates such as PRINCE2, PMP or Scrum help with applications. You do not need an additional degree.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€7,647gross per monthMedian salary
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Digitalization consultant
Also: IT strategy consultant
With on-the-job training
As a consultant, you support companies or authorities with digitalization, process design and system selection.
- What you bring:
- You analyze processes, write requirements and know the possibilities and limits of IT systems.
- How to get there:
- Consulting firms hire IT analysts with work experience directly. Knowledge of your clients' industry is often more important than another certificate.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible€6,768gross per monthMedian salary
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IT security consultant
Also: Information security officer
With on-the-job training
As an IT security consultant or information security officer, you assess risks, set up security management based on standards such as ISO 27001 and support audits.
- What you bring:
- You know architectures, interfaces and processes and see where systems can be attacked.
- How to get there:
- Employers often ask for certificates such as ISO 27001 Lead Auditor, CISSP or IT-Grundschutz Practitioner. The courses take a few days to weeks, or longer with exam preparation. For the CISSP, the provider ISC2 requires five years of work experience in information security. For critical infrastructure and government agencies, security clearance checks often apply as well.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible€5,295gross per monthMedian salary
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IT trainer
Also: Computer science lecturer in further education
With on-the-job training
As an IT trainer or lecturer, you teach software, data analysis or IT basics at training providers, at manufacturers or in companies.
- What you bring:
- You can explain complex systems clearly and have probably trained users before.
- How to get there:
- Training providers and training companies hire IT specialists with presentation experience, often on a freelance basis at first. A course in teaching methods helps. To train IT specialists (Fachinformatiker) in an apprenticeship, you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) under the AEVO.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€5,449gross per monthMedian salary
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Pre-sales consultant
Also: Sales solution architect
With on-the-job training
In the sales team of a software or IT service provider, you present solutions, draw up concepts and proposals and support tenders.
- What you bring:
- You understand customers' requirements and can derive technical solutions from them.
- How to get there:
- Software companies and system integrators hire experienced analysts directly and train them in products and sales. Strong presentation skills and willingness to travel are expected.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible€6,745gross per monthMedian salary
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Technical writer for software
Also: Documentation specialist
With on-the-job training
As a technical writer, you write manuals, online help and interface documentation for software.
- What you bring:
- You can describe systems, processes and requirements precisely and know what users need to understand.
- How to get there:
- Software vendors hire IT specialists who write well directly. Courses in technical writing, for example with a professional association's certificate, take a few weeks to months.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€4,728gross per monthMedian salary
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Software developer
Also: Backend developer
With on-the-job training
As a software developer, you turn requirements into code yourself and test and maintain applications.
- What you bring:
- You know data models, interfaces and programming languages and have often built prototypes already.
- How to get there:
- Employers hire analysts with programming experience directly. You learn missing languages or frameworks on the job or in courses of a few weeks.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€5,986gross per monthMedian salary
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Computer science teacher via the alternative route (Seiteneinstieg)
Also: Teacher for computer science and mathematics
With training or an exam
At secondary schools, you teach computer science and sometimes mathematics as an alternative-route teacher (Seiteneinsteiger).
- What you bring:
- You can explain programming, databases and logical thinking and have usually studied computer science or a related subject.
- How to get there:
- Alternative-route teachers (Seiteneinsteiger) teach while completing a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst), usually about 18 to 24 months. The federal state decides whether your degree is recognized for two subjects.*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
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 data analyst without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Head of IT, Digitalization consultant, IT security consultant, IT trainer, Pre-sales consultant, Technical writer for software and Software developer.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a data analyst?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Computer science teacher via the alternative route (Seiteneinstieg).
What promotion options do I have as a data analyst?
Promotions include, for example: Head of IT.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Head of IT (€7,647 gross per month), Digitalization consultant (€6,768 gross per month) and Pre-sales consultant (€6,745 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.
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