Career change as a master electrician

Career change paths

• Service technician for elevators

  Also: Service technician for wind turbines

  With on-the-job training

  In service for elevators or wind turbines you maintain these systems regularly, fix faults and are usually out alone or in pairs.

  What you bring:

  You read circuit diagrams, look for faults in controls and work confidently on electrical systems.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or service company (Einarbeitung), usually several months with its own training courses. For wind turbines you need fitness for work at height and safety trainings, for example on rescue at height and first aid, which the employer usually organizes. Standby duty and travel are usual.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,800gross per monthMedian salary

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• Grid fitter

  Also: Electronics technician in the distribution grid

  With on-the-job training

  At the grid operator you build and maintain local grids, house connections and substations and work a lot outdoors.

  What you bring:

  You know cables, distribution boards, protection technology and the safety rules for working on electrical systems.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at the grid operator or a grid construction company (Einarbeitung), plus training on switching authorization and live working, which the company organizes. On-call duty for faults is often part of the job. With the journeyman certificate as an electronics technician you are usually hired directly.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLots of time outdoors

  €3,657gross per monthMedian salary

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• Service technician for fire alarm and security systems

  Also: Installer of hazard alarm systems

  With on-the-job training

  In security technology you install and service fire alarm, intruder alarm and video systems and instruct customers in their operation.

  What you bring:

  You install cables, connect devices and test systems according to regulations.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at an installer company (Einarbeitung), plus manufacturer courses and courses to become a fire alarm system specialist under DIN 14675, usually lasting a few days to weeks. Electronics technicians with a journeyman certificate bring the right foundation for this area.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,000gross per monthMedian salary

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• Field sales representative, electrical engineering

  Also: Technical specialist advisor in electrical wholesale

  With on-the-job training

  In wholesale or at manufacturers you advise electrical businesses on products, prepare offers and support planning.

  What you bring:

  You know from practice which material, devices and solutions work on the construction site.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the wholesaler or manufacturer (Einarbeitung), often first in inside sales or at the specialist counter, usually with a few weeks to months of product training. A driving license class B is almost always required. Look for permanent employment: as a self-employed sales agent you usually work only on commission and bear the risk yourself.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• CAD planner, electrical engineering

  Also: Technical systems planner, electrical engineering

  With on-the-job training

  At the planning office you draw installation, circuit and distribution diagrams on the computer and support the project managers.

  What you bring:

  You know installations, cable routes and circuit diagrams from the construction site and know what can really be implemented.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at the planning office or at an electrical business (Einarbeitung), plus a CAD course of a few weeks to months, which can often be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). A qualification of your own comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a technical systems planner (Technischer Systemplaner/Technische Systemplanerin), which can often be shortened with a journeyman certificate.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,717gross per monthMedian salary

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• Commissioning technician

  Also: Automation service technician

  With on-the-job training

  As a commissioning technician you commission machines and systems at the customer's, test safety functions, look for faults and instruct the staff, often also abroad.

  What you bring:

  You know circuit diagrams, wiring, measurements and troubleshooting in electrical systems from practice.

  How to get there:

  Plant and machine builders hire electronics technicians with a journeyman certificate and train them on the job over several months (Einarbeitung). Knowledge of control technology (PLC) is needed and can be gained in courses of a few weeks. Long installation periods and travel are usual, and English is often needed.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,191gross per monthMedian salary

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• Expert for electrical engineering

  Also: Claims adjuster for technical insurance

  With on-the-job training

  As an expert or claims adjuster, you check damage on site, assess the cause and the repair approach and write reports for insurers or courts.

  What you bring:

  You recognize the causes of overvoltage, fire and water damage to electrical systems and know how they can be repaired properly.

  How to get there:

  Insurers and expert offices train experienced technicians over a few weeks to months. Chambers, TÜV academies and other training providers offer courses to become an expert. You only become publicly appointed and sworn in after the responsible chamber has verified your special expertise.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €5,301gross per monthMedian salary

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• Service technician for medical technology

  Also: Medical technician in a hospital

  With on-the-job training

  As a service technician for medical technology, you maintain, test and repair devices such as monitors, infusion pumps or X-ray systems in clinics and practices.

  What you bring:

  You work confidently with electronics, measuring devices and troubleshooting and can learn new devices quickly.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers, service companies and hospitals train electrical technicians with device and manufacturer training of a few weeks to months. For safety inspections of medical devices, there are separate courses.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift work

  €4,035gross per monthMedian salary

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• Master electrician

  Also: Construction manager, electrical engineering, Project manager, electrical installation

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a master craftsperson (Meister) or site manager you plan projects, calculate jobs, lead fitters and coordinate with other trades.

  What you bring:

  You know installation, switchgear assembly, testing and construction site routines from your own work.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the electrical technician trade (Elektrotechniker-Handwerk) 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 trade requires a license.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €5,301gross per monthMedian salary

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• Instructor in the electrical trade

  Also: Instructor at an inter-company training facility

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an instructor you show trainees in the business or in courses of the chamber how to work safely and cleanly.

  What you bring:

  You know installation, measuring and testing from practice and can explain work steps patiently.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the electrical technician 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). You can take the exam with the journeyman certificate, but for instructor jobs companies and training centers usually expect several years of work experience.*Regulated by law (Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Fire officer at a professional fire department

  With further training

  In the fire service you also handle firefighting, technical assistance and emergency medical service, and your electrical knowledge helps in operations at buildings and systems.

  What you bring:

  You have a trade qualification, work confidently with tools and technology and keep a clear head even under pressure.

  How to get there:

  Training at a professional fire department as a civil servant usually takes 1.5 to 2 years, depending on the federal state, and often includes the emergency medical technician course. The requirement is usually a completed trade or technical vocational qualification, plus a sports test, medical fitness and maximum age limits, which differ by state and city.*Regulated by law (Career and training ordinances of the federal states for the technical fire service).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €4,118gross per monthMedian salary

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• Grid controller in the grid control center

  Also: Power plant operator

  With further trainingPromotion

  In the control center of a grid operator you monitor and control the power grid, plan shutdowns and coordinate fault deployments; in a power plant you run and monitor the systems in shift work.

  What you bring:

  You know protection technology, switchgear and the safety rules for electrical systems from practice.

  How to get there:

  Grid operators usually fill control centers with masters or technicians with experience in grid operation and train them internally over many months. An intermediate step can be the move into grid operation with switching authorization. For power plants there is the further training as a certified power plant operator (Geprüfter Kraftwerker): you are admitted with an electrical qualification, plus at least 12 months of structured further training at the power plant and one year of practice in plant operation. Shift work is usual in both areas.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €5,470gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit)

  Also: Safety specialist in industry

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, assess risks, instruct employees and investigate accidents.

  What you bring:

  You know the dangers of electric current, machines and work on systems and know how to avoid them in the company.

  How to get there:

  You train as an occupational safety specialist at statutory accident insurance bodies or recognized training providers. It usually takes one to two years alongside work, with classroom and internship phases. As a state-certified technician, you meet the entry requirement once you have worked as a technician for at least two years after your exam.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically light

  €4,948gross 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.