Career change as a precision mechanic
With your experience you can switch to 11 jobs in Germany: 6 with on-the-job training and 5 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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Metrology technician for coordinate measuring technology
Also: Quality inspector in precision manufacturing
With on-the-job training
In the measuring room you program and operate coordinate measuring machines, check first articles and series parts, create measurement reports and give feedback to production.
- What you bring:
- You measure with the finest tolerances every day and quickly recognize when a part is not right.
- How to get there:
- Companies give precision mechanics on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in measuring devices and software, and manufacturer courses in coordinate measuring technology take a few days to weeks. The work takes place mostly in the air-conditioned measuring room.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact€4,159gross per monthMedian salary
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Medical technology employee in a hospital
Also: Service technician for medical devices
With on-the-job training
In the medical technology of a hospital or at service companies you service and repair devices and instruments, carry out inspections and document them.
- What you bring:
- You know precision instruments, their care and typical damage and work carefully according to regulations.
- How to get there:
- Hospitals and service companies give precision mechanics and surgical instrument mechanics on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), usually with manufacturer courses of a few days to weeks. For active devices with electronics you need electrotechnical knowledge, which you can gain through additional courses.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€4,035gross per monthMedian salary
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CNC setter
Also: CAM programmer
With on-the-job training
As a CNC setter or CAM programmer you create and optimize programs, set up machines and make sure series run precisely.
- What you bring:
- You know clamping devices, tools and tolerances and have worked on turning and milling machines yourself.
- How to get there:
- Companies give you on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on their controls, and courses in CNC programming and CAM at training providers take a few weeks to months. In series production, shift work can be part of the job.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact€3,923gross per monthMedian salary
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CAM programmer
Also: CNC programmer in tool making
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As a CAM programmer you create machining programs from 3D models, choose tools and strategies and simulate the processes before the machine runs.
- What you bring:
- You know milling, EDM and grinding, clamping devices and cutting values from practice at CNC machines.
- How to get there:
- You get on-the-job training in the company (Einarbeitung), usually after some years at CNC machines, plus training on the respective CAM system with the software provider or training providers, lasting a few days to weeks. A course to become a CNC specialist at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or training providers makes the start easier if you have mainly worked conventionally so far.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€4,307gross per monthMedian salary
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Industrial mechanic in maintenance
Also: Maintenance technician
With on-the-job training
In maintenance you service and repair production systems, make spare parts yourself and help with faults so that production keeps running.
- What you bring:
- You fit components precisely, assemble and repair them and know machine elements, hydraulics and pneumatics from tool making.
- How to get there:
- You get on-the-job training in maintenance (Einarbeitung), often in your own company. Courses in hydraulics, pneumatics and control technology, lasting a few days to weeks, close gaps. For work on the electrics you need an additional qualification, for example as an electrically qualified person for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten). On-call duty and shift work are usual in maintenance.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact€4,563gross per monthMedian salary
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Application technician for cutting tools
Also: Technical advisor in field sales
With on-the-job training
At the manufacturer or dealer you advise tool and mold makers, test tools on customers' machines, optimize cutting values and train users.
- What you bring:
- You know which milling cutters, drills, electrodes and standard parts prove themselves in tool making and why machining fails.
- 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 metal trade, several years of CNC practice, a driving license class B and willingness to travel are expected, often also English. You can start in technical inside sales and later move to field sales.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people€5,550gross per monthMedian salary
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State-certified technician in mechanical engineering
Also: Design technician, precision engineering
With further trainingPromotion
As a technician you design and improve components and fixtures, plan production processes and look after projects between development and workshop.
- What you bring:
- You work to the micrometer, know materials, manufacturing processes and fits and read technical drawings confidently.
- How to get there:
- The vocational college for technology (Fachschule für Technik), specialization in mechanical engineering or precision engineering (Feinwerktechnik), takes 2 years full-time or usually 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). The requirement is usually suitable vocational training and at least one year of work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact -
Certified industrial foreman, metal
Also: Production foreman in medical technology
With further trainingPromotion
As a master craftsperson (Meister) you lead a production department, plan jobs and staff, ensure quality and train new staff.
- What you bring:
- You know precision manufacturing, quality requirements and inspection procedures and can guide colleagues professionally.
- How to get there:
- You take further training as a certified industrial foreman, metal (Industriemeister Metall), at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), or the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the precision mechanic trade (Feinwerkmechaniker-Handwerk). Both usually take 2 to 3 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted to the master craftsperson exam with the journeyman exam, and to the industrial foreman exam with a vocational qualification and work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€5,639gross per monthMedian salary
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Orthopedic technician
Also: Dental technician
With retraining
In orthopedic or dental technology you make and fit prostheses, orthoses or dentures and often work directly with patients or practices.
- What you bring:
- You have fine motor skills and work very precisely with metal, plastic and precision tools.
- How to get there:
- Vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as an orthopedic technician (Orthopädietechnik-Mechaniker/Orthopädietechnik-Mechanikerin) or dental technician (Zahntechniker/Zahntechnikerin) normally takes several years, and it is often shortened with prior knowledge; the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer) decides on a shortening.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people€2,953gross per monthMedian salary
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CAD designer
Also: Technical product designer
With retraining
As a CAD designer you draw components and assemblies in 3D, create production drawings and parts lists and coordinate with development and production.
- What you bring:
- You understand drawings, tolerances and manufacturing processes from the workshop and know what can really be made.
- How to get there:
- Retraining (Umschulung) as a technical product designer (Technischer Produktdesigner/Technische Produktdesignerin) usually takes a good 2 years and can often be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Some companies also train experienced precision mechanics directly into design after CAD courses of a few weeks.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€3,821gross per monthMedian salary
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Instructor for precision mechanics
Also: Instructor in a training workshop
With further trainingPromotion
As an instructor in a training workshop you plan exercises, look after trainees and prepare them for the intermediate and final exams.
- What you bring:
- You are skilled in filing, turning, milling and measuring and can demonstrate techniques patiently.
- How to get there:
- You need trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) under AEVO, which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or Chamber of Crafts; it is included in the master qualification, and preparation courses are optional. In the precision mechanic trade, which requires a license, you generally need the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) to train apprentices. Full-time jobs exist mainly in training workshops of larger companies and in training centers.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact€4,462gross 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 precision mechanic without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Metrology technician for coordinate measuring technology, Medical technology employee in a hospital, CNC setter, CAM programmer, Industrial mechanic in maintenance and Application technician for cutting tools.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a precision mechanic?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: State-certified technician in mechanical engineering, Certified industrial foreman, metal, Orthopedic technician, CAD designer and Instructor for precision mechanics.
What promotion options do I have as a precision mechanic?
Promotions include, for example: State-certified technician in mechanical engineering, Certified industrial foreman, metal, Instructor for precision mechanics and CAM programmer.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Certified industrial foreman, metal (€5,639 gross per month), Application technician for cutting tools (€5,550 gross per month) and Industrial mechanic in maintenance (€4,563 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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