Career change as a building services technician

Career change paths

• Commissioning technician

  Also: Service technician in plant engineering

  With on-the-job training

  As a commissioning technician, you put machines and plants into operation at the customer's site, adjust them, train the operating staff and document the acceptance.

  What you bring:

  You understand mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics working together, read plans confidently and narrow down faults systematically.

  How to get there:

  Machine and plant builders usually train technicians on their own plants over a few months, often with courses on control technology. Expect travel at home and abroad. English skills and a class B driving license are usually expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,191gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical sales representative

  Also: Application engineer in sales

  With on-the-job training

  In technical sales, you advise customers, clarify requirements, prepare offers with the engineering department and support projects up to delivery.

  What you bring:

  You can explain technical solutions in an understandable way and know what customers in mechanical engineering care about in terms of performance, maintenance and service life.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and dealers train technicians with product and sales training over a few months. A confident manner, willingness to travel and often good English are in demand. A class B driving license is usually required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Expert for machines and plants

  Also: Claims adjuster in technical insurance

  With on-the-job training

  As an expert or claims adjuster, you assess machine damage for insurers, leasing companies or courts, evaluate repair options and residual values and write expert reports.

  What you bring:

  You can tell wear, operating errors and design defects on machines apart and describe technical connections objectively.

  How to get there:

  Expert offices and insurers train technicians with work experience themselves, often supplemented by courses of a few weeks at training providers or expert associations. You only become publicly appointed and sworn in after several years of practice, and the chamber decides after checking your special expertise.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €6,614gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical buyer

  Also: Supplier manager

  With on-the-job training

  As a technical buyer, you obtain offers, compare suppliers, negotiate terms and clarify technical questions with design and quality assurance.

  What you bring:

  You read drawings, tolerances and material specifications and can judge whether a supplied part fits technically.

  How to get there:

  Industrial companies usually train technicians in purchasing over a few months. You can add business basics in courses at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or training providers. Later, a business upgrading course at the IHK is an option, for example in purchasing and logistics.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,204gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical facility manager

  Also: Head of building services

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a technical facility manager, you manage building services, maintenance contractors and inspection deadlines for large buildings such as office complexes, clinics or shopping centers.

  What you bring:

  You understand systems such as ventilation, heating, elevators or compressed air technically and can plan maintenance and upkeep.

  How to get there:

  Facility management service providers and large real estate companies hire technicians with maintenance experience and train them in building services and operator duties. Training providers offer courses on building services and operator responsibility alongside work in a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically light
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• 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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• Technical property caretaker

  Also: Clerk in property management

  With on-the-job training

  In property management you take care of damage reports, hire craftspeople, check invoices, and support apartment handovers and owners' meetings.

  What you bring:

  You know the buildings, the technology and the typical concerns of tenants and owners first-hand.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in a property management firm or housing company, often starting in technical property care. If you work in a property management firm directly on managing condominiums or rental apartments for third parties, you must complete legally required further training: 20 hours in three years (§ 34c para. 2a GewO). This does not apply to a housing company's own stock. Later you can take the exam for certified property manager at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or do retraining (Umschulung) as real estate clerk (Immobilienkaufmann).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people
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• Building technician for heating, ventilation and air conditioning

  Also: Operations technician in building technology

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a building technician in large buildings you maintain these systems yourself, adjust controls, and fix faults.

  What you bring:

  You know the heating and ventilation systems of your buildings, read fault messages, and work with maintenance companies.

  How to get there:

  For these jobs a craft or technical qualification is usually expected. With it, on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) and vendor training are often enough. Without a suitable qualification, the way in is retraining (Umschulung), for example as plant mechanic SHK or as mechatronics technician for refrigeration technology. It usually takes a good two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). For work on the refrigerant circuits of air conditioning systems you also need a certificate of expertise, which requires technical or craft vocational training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,797gross per monthMedian salary

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• Employee at a wastewater treatment plant

  Also: Waterworks operator

  With on-the-job training

  At wastewater treatment plants and waterworks you monitor plants and readings, maintain pumps and valves, and take samples.

  What you bring:

  You know pumps, heating and water systems, make inspection rounds, and keep maintenance lists reliably.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities and special-purpose associations hire people with craft experience and train them in courses run by the professional associations, for example for wastewater treatment plant operators, usually lasting a few weeks. If you want a qualification of your own, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as environmental technologist for wastewater management or for water supply (formerly specialist for wastewater technology or water supply technology). On-call duty is common.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,070gross per monthMedian salary

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• Fire safety officer

  Also: Service technician for fire extinguishers and fire doors

  With on-the-job training

  As a fire safety officer or service technician in fire protection you test and maintain these facilities, find defects, and train employees.

  What you bring:

  You know escape routes, fire extinguishers, fire doors and smoke detectors in your buildings and check them regularly.

  How to get there:

  You take a course to become a fire safety officer, usually 64 teaching units, or vendor training for testing fire extinguishers and fire doors, which lasts a few days. After that you get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the employer or a fire protection service provider. Fire safety officers are needed mainly in clinics, homes and large businesses.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €4,969gross per monthMedian salary

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• Gardener in garden and landscape construction

  Also: Employee in green space maintenance

  With on-the-job training

  In garden and landscape construction or in municipal green space maintenance, this is your main task, and you also lay out plantings, paths and walls and work with larger machines.

  What you bring:

  You mow, trim hedges, care for beds, and take care of paths and winter service (snow and ice clearing).

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the business or at the city. There are short courses for chainsaws and special machines. You can earn a qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as gardener, specializing in garden and landscape construction. Without training, you can take the external exam (Externenprüfung) after four and a half years of suitable work experience (§ 45 para. 2 BBiG).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,208gross per monthMedian salary

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• Production manager

  Also: Head of production

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a production manager, you plan staff, machines and deadlines, ensure quality and on-time delivery and are the main point of contact for employees and management.

  What you bring:

  You know machines, manufacturing processes and technical documents and can assess faults and processes technically.

  How to get there:

  Companies also fill production management positions with experienced technicians, often after a few years as a shift or group leader. The upgrading course for certified technical business manager (Geprüfter Technischer Betriebswirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) prepares you for leadership tasks and cost accounting. You can take it alongside work, it is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications), and the duration depends on the provider.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €6,633gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit)

  With further training

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, prepare risk assessments (Gefährdungsbeurteilungen), inspect workplaces and train employees, employed in a company or at an external service.

  What you bring:

  You know machines, safety devices and dangers in the workshop and in production from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  With your technician qualification and subsequent work experience, you generally meet the requirements. After that comes the training as an occupational safety specialist at a statutory accident insurance body or recognized training provider. It runs alongside work in several stages, with classroom and self-study phases.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for metal and mechatronics trades

  Also: Trainer in a training workshop

  With further trainingPromotion

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

  What you bring:

  You understand mechanical engineering in theory and practice and can explain the path from drawing through production to assembly clearly.

  How to get there:

  With a vocational qualification, a technician qualification and work practice, you are professionally suitable. In addition, you need the trainer aptitude exam (Ausbildereignung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), and the course for it takes a few weeks, also alongside work. Full-time trainer positions exist mainly in large companies and training centers. Depending on the federal state, you can also become a practical-skills teacher (Lehrkraft für Fachpraxis) at a vocational school with a technician qualification.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Ordinance on Trainer Aptitude (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross 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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• State-certified electrical engineering technician

  Also: Electrical planner

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a technician you plan electrical systems, create circuit diagrams and tenders and look after projects in planning offices, industry or at grid operators.

  What you bring:

  You understand circuits, protective measures, building technology and standards from practice.

  How to get there:

  The vocational college for technology (Fachschule für Technik), specialization in electrical engineering, takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Access is usually with a journeyman certificate and at least one year of work experience; the federal state sets the exact rules.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,301gross 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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• Plant mechanic for sanitary, heating and air conditioning technology (Anlagenmechaniker SHK)

  With retrainingPromotion

  With a qualification in sanitary and heating technology you install and maintain systems professionally and can get jobs as a building technician or in customer service.

  What you bring:

  You change seals, bleed heating systems, descale fittings, and know the building technology of your buildings.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as plant mechanic SHK (Anlagenmechaniker SHK), which usually takes a good two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The regular vocational training (Ausbildung) takes three and a half years. If you already have another craft qualification, it can often be shortened.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,797gross 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.