Career change as a scaffolder

Career change paths

• Tower crane operator

  Also: Crane operator

  With on-the-job training

  As a crane operator you supply construction sites with material, lift components precisely into place and work physically much less strenuously.

  What you bring:

  You are comfortable working at great height, know slinging, load distribution and wind hazards, and communicate confidently with hand signals and radio.

  How to get there:

  You take a crane operator course following DGUV Principle 309-003 at a training provider, for tower cranes usually a few days to two weeks. You also need proof that you are medically fit and written authorization from the company. Construction companies and crane rental firms like to use people with construction site and height experience. You work many hours alone in the cab or at the radio remote control.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,153gross per monthMedian salary

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• Event rigger

  Also: Scaffolder in stage construction

  With on-the-job training

  In the event industry you build stages, grandstands and trusses, hang lighting and sound equipment and secure loads above stage and audience.

  What you bring:

  You work confidently at height, know slinging devices, loads and fall protection and put up scaffolding quickly and exactly.

  How to get there:

  Stage construction and event technology companies train scaffolders and industrial climbers on the job (Einarbeitung). For hanging loads over people they expect rigger courses following the qualification levels of the industry associations, usually a few days to weeks. The work is often project-based, with weekend and night assignments and a lot of travel.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,740gross per monthMedian salary

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• Overhead line installer

  Also: Installer in pylon construction

  With on-the-job training

  As an overhead line installer you install and replace crossarms, insulators and cables on pylons, pull in conductor cables and help with the new construction and renovation of high-voltage lines.

  What you bring:

  You are comfortable working at great height, secure yourself against falls as a matter of routine and install heavy components in a team.

  How to get there:

  Overhead line construction companies also hire scaffolders and industrial climbers without electrical training for pylon and cable work and give them a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). A requirement is a medically confirmed fitness for work with a risk of falling. You may only carry out electrical work under the direction and supervision of a qualified electrician (Elektrofachkraft) or after an additional qualification. Installation often means assignments of weeks away from home.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,657gross per monthMedian salary

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• Specialist advisor for scaffolding systems

  Also: Rental advisor for scaffolding and work platforms

  With on-the-job training

  At a manufacturer, rental company or dealer you advise scaffolding companies, construction firms and tradespeople, prepare offers and material lists and look after regular customers.

  What you bring:

  You know from practice which scaffold or work platform suits which job and what matters for safety and set-up time.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or rental company (Einarbeitung) with product training, usually a few weeks to months. A driving license class B and confident use of a PC are expected. You can start in the inside sales of a branch; you gain business knowledge through courses or further training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Construction machine operator in demolition

  Also: Excavator operator

  With on-the-job training

  As a construction machine operator you work with an excavator, demolition equipment or wheel loader, demolish structures in a controlled way, sort material and work physically less strenuously from the cab.

  What you bring:

  You know construction sites, demolition and assembly work and judge loads, stability and dangers in the surroundings confidently.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on the machine at the company, often with a course for earthmoving machines at construction industry training centers (a few days to weeks), plus written authorization by the company. A qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a construction equipment operator (Baugeräteführer/Baugeräteführerin), which usually takes about 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €4,089gross per monthMedian salary

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• Caretaker

  Also: Property caretaker

  With on-the-job training

  As a caretaker at housing companies, schools or businesses you keep buildings and grounds in good shape, do smaller repairs and take care of technology and winter maintenance (snow clearing).

  What you bring:

  You work confidently on ladders and at height, pitch in with your hands and recognize damage to facades, roofs and grounds.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the employer (Einarbeitung). A trade qualification is an advantage, and for heating and electrics, building services courses of a few weeks help. The work is mostly in buildings and physically lighter than on the scaffold, and on-call duty can come on top.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

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• Certified scaffolding crew leader

  Also: Master scaffolder

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a crew leader or master craftsperson (Meister) you plan scaffolds from plans and measurements, lead crews, inspect and hand over finished scaffolds and ensure occupational safety.

  What you bring:

  You know scaffolding systems, anchoring, load classes and fall protection and know how a scaffold goes up quickly and safely.

  How to get there:

  You take the further training exam to become a certified scaffolding crew leader (Geprüfter Gerüstbau-Kolonnenführer). You are admitted with a qualification as a scaffolder (Gerüstbauer) and one year of work experience; with another qualification after 2 years, or without a qualification after 5 years of work experience in scaffolding. For your own business you need the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the scaffolding trade, which can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications), because the scaffolding trade requires a license.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €5,136gross per monthMedian salary

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• State-certified construction technician

  Also: Construction supervisor

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a construction technician you plan construction processes, prepare tenders and quantities and supervise execution for construction firms, engineering offices or authorities.

  What you bring:

  You know construction sites, trades and construction processes from practice and quickly see where safety or the schedule is at risk.

  How to get there:

  The vocational college for construction technology (Fachschule für Bautechnik) 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 vocational qualification, for example as a scaffolder, and at least one year of work experience; the federal state sets the exact rules. The work takes place mostly in the office and on site inspections.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €5,500gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist

  Also: Safety specialist in construction

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an occupational safety specialist you advise construction companies, walk the sites, assess hazards and train the employees.

  What you bring:

  You know fall hazards, scaffold inspections and protective measures on construction sites from daily work.

  How to get there:

  The requirement is generally the master craftsperson exam or a technician qualification followed by work experience. After that comes the training as an occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit) at a statutory accident insurance fund (Berufsgenossenschaft), for example BG BAU. It runs alongside work in several stages, with in-person and self-study phases.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

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• Truck driver in scaffolding construction

  Also: Driver with loading crane

  With further training

  As a truck driver you deliver scaffolding and building material to construction sites and warehouses, unload with the loading crane and work largely independently on the road.

  What you bring:

  You know scaffolding material, narrow construction site access and the safe loading and unloading of trucks.

  How to get there:

  You need a driving license class C or CE plus the accelerated basic qualification with an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Together this usually takes a few months. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter approves it. For the loading crane you additionally need instruction or a short course and authorization from the company.*Regulated by law (Driving License Ordinance (FeV), Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Little customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,262gross 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.