Career change as an electrical technician

Career change paths

• Site manager for electrical engineering

  Also: Project manager for electrical installation

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a site manager or project manager, you plan assembly teams and material, coordinate the trades on the construction site, check the work and hand over systems together with the customer.

  What you bring:

  You know circuit diagrams, standards and the procedures for installing and commissioning electrical systems.

  How to get there:

  Electrical and building services companies often put state-certified technicians (staatlich geprüfte Techniker/innen) into site management after a few months of on-the-job training. Construction site experience and a class B driving license are usually expected. Chambers and training providers offer courses on VOB, cost calculation and project management alongside work.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €5,592gross per monthMedian salary

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• Electrical planner

  Also: CAD designer for electrical engineering

  With on-the-job training

  In a planning office or at a plant builder, you create circuit diagrams, control cabinet plans and installation plans with CAD software such as EPLAN and coordinate them with production and customers.

  What you bring:

  You understand circuit diagrams, protective measures and control cabinet construction and know what fitters need in production and on the construction site.

  How to get there:

  Planning offices and switchgear builders usually train technicians with practical experience over a few weeks to months, and software training often takes only a few days. Your knowledge of the VDE standards is a clear advantage there.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €3,979gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical sales representative for electrical engineering

  Also: Field sales representative for automation technology

  With on-the-job training

  In the sales team of a manufacturer or electrical wholesaler, you advise installation companies, planners and industrial customers, prepare offers and support projects up to commissioning.

  What you bring:

  You can understand technical solutions, compare them and explain them so that customers see their benefit.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and electrical wholesalers train technicians with product training over a few weeks to months. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are usually expected. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed commercial agent you mostly work on commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Grid control center operator

  Also: Authorized switching operator in the distribution grid

  With on-the-job training

  In the grid control center of a grid operator or municipal utility, you monitor the power grid, control switching operations, coordinate fault response crews and plan outages for construction work.

  What you bring:

  You know medium- and low-voltage systems, protection technology and the rules for safe switching.

  How to get there:

  Grid operators usually train electrical technicians over several months for the control center and for switching authorization, with internal courses. The work involves shift work (Schichtdienst). Experience in grid operation or in substations is a clear advantage there.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,563gross 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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• 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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• Trainer for electrical trades

  Also: Trainer in an inter-company training center

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer, you accompany apprentices in the training workshop and in the company and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You are skilled in installation, measuring and test technology and controls and can explain how things connect clearly.

  How to get there:

  For work as a trainer, you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung), which you prove with the exam under the AEVO at the chamber. Preparation courses usually take a few weeks or run alongside work. Full-time positions exist mainly in industrial companies with a training workshop and in inter-company training centers.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30 and Ordinance on Trainer Aptitude (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross 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.