Career change as a private investigator

Career change paths

• Municipal public order officer

  Also: Traffic enforcement officer

  With on-the-job training

  In a city's public order service you check, for example, parking violations, noise, litter and youth protection and issue warnings.

  What you bring:

  You are used to going on patrol, enforcing rules and staying calm in conflicts.

  How to get there:

  Cities also hire career changers with experience in the security service and train them in courses of a few weeks to months. Some require administrative training or the administrative course after hiring. The job ad states exactly what applies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLots of contact with peopleLots of time outdoors

  €3,715gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Emergency call and service center operator

  Also: Control center operator

  With on-the-job training

  In the emergency call and service control center you receive alarms, assess them and send out the response service, fire service or police.

  What you bring:

  You know alarm plans, radio traffic and the right procedure for burglary, fire or technical faults from property protection.

  How to get there:

  This is usually an internal move at security companies, with a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). The expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) under § 34a GewO and good German and PC skills are usually expected. The work is shift work, mostly at a screen.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,685gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Claims handler in legal expenses or liability insurance

  Also: Claims recovery clerk

  With on-the-job training

  At insurers you review benefit cases, correspond with lawyers and customers, decide on cost coverage and settle claims.

  What you bring:

  You know contracts, liability questions, fees and court proceedings, and you are confident writing legal submissions and letters.

  How to get there:

  Legal expenses and liability insurers also hire paralegals and judicial clerks (Rechtsanwalts- und Justizfachangestellte) and give them a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in insurance terms and systems. Regular working hours and working from home are possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,797gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Objections clerk at a health insurance fund

  Also: Recourse clerk at a social insurance provider

  With on-the-job training

  At health insurance funds, pension insurance providers or employers' liability insurance associations you process objections, assert claims for compensation against third parties and prepare proceedings before the social court.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with laws, files and deadlines and know objection and court procedures.

  How to get there:

  Social insurance providers hire assistants from law firms and the judiciary and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in social law and specialist procedures, often with internal courses lasting several months. Jobs are usually advertised as positions under collective pay agreements (Tarif) with regular working hours.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,964gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Clerk in the fines office

  Also: Clerk in the public order office

  With on-the-job training

  In fines offices and public order offices you process proceedings, review objections, issue permits and hand cases over to courts or enforcement.

  What you bring:

  You know procedures, service of documents, deadlines and enforcement, and you write clear notices and letters.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities hire assistants from the judiciary and law firms as employees under collective pay agreements (Tarif) and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in specialist procedures. Employers often let you take administrative course I (Verwaltungslehrgang I) alongside the job. If you are a judicial clerk (Justizfachangestellte), you can also switch within the public service through internal job postings.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,822gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Loan workout clerk at a bank

  Also: Receivables management clerk

  With on-the-job training

  At banks and savings banks you look after non-performing loans, negotiate installment payments, realize collateral and carry out compulsory enforcement.

  What you bring:

  You know dunning procedures, compulsory enforcement and insolvency from hands-on experience, and you are confident with enforceable titles, deadlines and courts.

  How to get there:

  Banks, savings banks and receivables service providers give paralegals and judicial clerks (Rechtsanwalts- und Justizfachangestellte) a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in lending business and systems. There you compete with trained bank clerks, but your experience with enforcement is useful there.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €5,219gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Legal assistant in a corporate legal department

  Also: Assistant in contract management

  With on-the-job training

  In the legal department of a company you support in-house counsel, manage contracts and deadlines, prepare board meetings and look after files and registers.

  What you bring:

  You know legal processes, written submissions and deadline control, and you work carefully with confidential documents.

  How to get there:

  Companies with their own legal department hire paralegals (Rechtsanwalts- und Notarfachangestellte) and give them a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in contract databases and internal processes. Some companies want good English.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,421gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Clerk in the public order office

  Also: Clerk in the weapons authority

  With on-the-job training

  In a city or district administration you process administrative offenses and weapons or assembly matters, and you work closely with the police.

  What you bring:

  You know hazard prevention, public order law and how to deal with citizens in conflict situations.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities usually give police officers a few weeks to a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), and you can switch by transfer or through a new application. The work is mostly office-based, with regular hours instead of shift work (Schichtdienst).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,822gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Trainer for de-escalation and violence prevention

  Also: Security trainer

  With on-the-job training

  As a trainer you train employees at Jobcenters, clinics, transport companies and other companies in de-escalation, self-protection and how to behave in emergencies.

  What you bring:

  You have experience with conflicts, threatening situations and holding conversations under pressure.

  How to get there:

  You can start, for example, with a trainer course whose duration depends on the provider, and often you first work on the side or freelance. While you are still in service, you must report side jobs to your employer or have them approved beforehand. Permanent positions exist at training providers, accident insurance funds (Unfallkassen) and large employers.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €5,254gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Aviation security assistant

  Also: Aviation security screener

  With further training

  At passenger screening you check passengers and hand luggage at the X-ray machine and with detectors according to fixed rules.

  What you bring:

  You know access control, searching people and bags and staying calm with people who are under time pressure.

  How to get there:

  Training takes at least 280 teaching units and ends with an exam and certificate. It is usually given by the security service providers that carry out the checks on behalf of the authority. Before that you must pass the reliability check. Shift work and good German are required.*Regulated by law (Aviation Security Act (LuftSiG) § 7, Aviation Security Training Ordinance (LuftSiSchulV) §§ 3, 6, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1998).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workLots of contact with people

  €3,685gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Correctional officer

  Also: Civil servant in the general correctional service

  With vocational training

  In the prison system you supervise and look after prisoners, check cells and oversee daily life in the institution.

  What you bring:

  You know checks, key and access rules and how to deal with difficult and aggressive people, and you can de-escalate.

  How to get there:

  Training takes place as a civil servant on revocable status (Beamtenverhältnis auf Widerruf) and usually lasts about 2 years, depending on the federal state. The requirement is usually an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss) or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) with a completed vocational qualification. You also need to pass a sports test and a medical examination and meet maximum age limits, which each state sets itself.*Regulated by law (Training and examination regulations of the federal states for the general correctional service).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €4,041gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Police officer (Polizeimeister)

  Also: Police officer in the mid-level civil service

  With a degree

  With the police, you also handle patrol duty, traffic accidents, arrests and taking reports.

  What you bring:

  You know operations at disturbances, access control and de-escalation and work shifts according to clear rules.

  How to get there:

  You can join without a degree at the Federal Police and in some federal states through the mid-level civil service; at the Federal Police the training takes 2.5 years. Age limits are strict: at the Federal Police you must be younger than 28 for the mid-level service. A sports test, aptitude test and medical examination are also required.*Regulated by law (Federal Police Career Ordinance (BPolLV) §§ 5, 6; career law of the federal states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,669gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Emergency medical technician

  Also: Paramedic

  With further training

  In the emergency medical service and patient transport you care for patients and take them safely to the hospital.

  What you bring:

  You know emergency situations, first aid and working with the police and emergency medical service from operations and events.

  How to get there:

  Emergency medical technician (Rettungssanitäter): a course under state law, usually 520 hours, which is about 3 months full-time. Paramedic (Notfallsanitäter): training of 3 years.*Regulated by law (Paramedic Act (NotSanG); for emergency medical technicians, the emergency services acts of the federal states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,175gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Corporate security manager

  Also: Head of plant security

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a security manager in a company you plan protection concepts, manage service providers and your own staff and take responsibility when incidents occur.

  What you bring:

  You know property protection, duty rosters, alarm routes and working with the police and fire service from practice.

  How to get there:

  This usually happens via shift or site management and further training as a certified master for protection and security (Geprüfter Meister für Schutz und Sicherheit) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It is possible alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted, for example, with training as a protection and security specialist (Fachkraft für Schutz und Sicherheit) or, without a vocational qualification, after 4 years of work experience. For the second exam part, another year is added.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contact

  €6,256gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Industrial firefighter

  With further training

  In an industrial fire brigade at a chemical plant, an industrial site or an airport you fight fires, provide technical assistance, respond to hazardous substance accidents and maintain fire protection equipment.

  What you bring:

  You know plant sites, alarm plans, access control and working with the fire service and emergency medical service from plant and property protection.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) as an industrial firefighter (Werkfeuerwehrmann/Werkfeuerwehrfrau) takes 3 years, with training pay, at companies with their own industrial fire brigade. Some industrial fire brigades also hire career changers with a trade qualification and experience in a volunteer fire brigade and qualify them in courses under state law. Medical fitness, breathing apparatus fitness and a sports test are usually part of it.*Regulated by law (Ordinance on Vocational Training as an Industrial Firefighter (WFAusbV); fire protection and fire service acts of the federal states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,118gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Certified senior legal specialist (Rechtsfachwirt)

  Also: Head of law firm office

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a senior legal specialist or office manager you run the firm's office, lead employees, bill cases and handle demanding matters on your own.

  What you bring:

  You know deadlines, case procedures, fee law and compulsory enforcement from daily work at a law firm.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified senior legal specialist (Rechtsfachwirt), with the exam at the Bar Association (Rechtsanwaltskammer). The duration depends on the provider, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are generally admitted after passing the final exam as paralegal (Rechtsanwalts- oder Notarfachangestellte) and a few years of work experience. For notary offices there is the equivalent certified senior notary specialist (Notarfachwirt).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office
  View job

• Pension adviser (Rentenberater)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a pension adviser you check pension notices, advise insured people on pensions, reduced earning capacity and pension equalization (Versorgungsausgleich), and represent them before the pension insurance provider and the social courts.

  What you bring:

  You work precisely with laws, notices and deadlines and know objection and court procedures.

  How to get there:

  For pension advice you need to be registered with the Federal Office of Justice (Bundesamt für Justiz). You prove theoretical expertise, usually through an expertise course of at least 150 hours, and practical expertise, as a rule at least two years of work under supervision, for example with a pension adviser. You also need professional liability insurance; after that you work self-employed or in law firms and associations.*Regulated by law (Legal Services Act (RDG) §§ 10, 12; Legal Services Ordinance (RDV) §§ 2 to 5).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €6,417gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Property manager

  Also: Condominium property administrator

  With further training

  In a property management firm you look after residential complexes, prepare owners' meetings and statements, and take care of contracts, defects and claims.

  What you bring:

  You know contract law, dunning and deadlines, and you communicate confidently with owners, tenants and lawyers.

  How to get there:

  Property management firms give assistants from law firms on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Regular further training is mandatory for this work, and to run your own property management business you need a permit from the responsible authority. For managing condominiums, a certified property manager (zertifizierter Verwalter) generally has to be appointed, and you take the exam for this at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK); the IHK and training providers offer preparation courses.*Regulated by law (Trade Regulation Act (GewO) § 34c (1) and (2a); Condominium Act (WEG) §§ 19 (2) no. 6, 26a).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Driving instructor

  With further training

  As a driving instructor you train learner drivers in theory and practice and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You know traffic law, hazard theory and the causes of accidents from many assignments, and you can instruct calmly and clearly.

  How to get there:

  You train at a driving instructor training school (Fahrlehrerausbildungsstätte) and at a training driving school, for class BE at least twelve months, followed by the driving instructor exam. After that the responsible authority issues the driving instructor licence. Requirements include a minimum age of 21, a class B driving licence held for at least three years and completed vocational training or equivalent prior education.*Regulated by law (Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG) §§ 1, 2, 7).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,977gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

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.