Career change as a goldsmith
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 4 with on-the-job training and 4 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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Branch manager at a jeweler
Also: Manager of a jewelry store
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As a branch manager you lead a jewelry store, plan the range and staff and are responsible for sales, security and service.
- What you bring:
- You know jewelry, watches and repairs from the workshop and can advise customers professionally.
- How to get there:
- Jewelry chains and owner-run shops often first deploy goldsmiths with sales experience as deputy managers and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in merchandise management and staff leadership. You can add business knowledge with further training as a certified senior retail specialist (Geprüfter Handelsfachwirt).*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Often at weekendsLots of contact with people -
Specialist advisor in a jewelry store
Also: Salesperson for watches and jewelry
With on-the-job training
In the jewelry store you advise customers, accept repairs and sell jewelry and watches.
- What you bring:
- You can explain material, workmanship and care of jewelry and immediately assess requests for alterations professionally.
- How to get there:
- Jewelers give goldsmiths in sales on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the till, merchandise management and the watch range. The work is during store opening hours, also on Saturdays.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Often at weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with people -
Laser engraving employee
Also: Engraver for trophies and signs
With on-the-job training
In engraving businesses you design and engrave signs, trophies, promotional items and jewelry by hand or with laser machines.
- What you bring:
- You know engravings on rings and pendants and work with a steady hand and a good eye.
- How to get there:
- Engraving businesses usually give goldsmiths on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) directly on laser machines and design software, and manufacturer courses take a few days. Jobs also exist at signage companies with an engraving department.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekends -
Quality inspector in medical technology
Also: Visual inspector in precision engineering
With on-the-job training
In medical technology, watch or precision engineering companies you check small precision parts, document defects and release batches.
- What you bring:
- You recognize the smallest scratches, soldering defects and dimensional deviations with the naked eye or a loupe.
- How to get there:
- Manufacturers give career changers with fine motor experience a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in inspection plans, measuring tools and documentation. The work is often in clean rooms or under strict hygiene rules.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact€4,159gross per monthMedian salary
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Jewelry appraiser
Also: Gemstone expert
With further trainingPromotion
As an appraiser you value jewelry and gemstones for insurers, inheritances, pawnshops or auctions and write valuation reports.
- What you bring:
- You recognize alloys, quality of workmanship and stones and know how jewelry is made and repaired.
- How to get there:
- Gemology training at specialist institutes and courses in valuation take a few months to over a year, depending on scope. You are publicly appointed and sworn only after the responsible chamber has checked your special expertise.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light -
Dental technician
With further training
In the dental laboratory you make crowns, bridges and dentures from impressions and on order from the dental practice.
- What you bring:
- You cast, solder, model and polish precious metals with great accuracy, and these are exactly the skills dental technology needs.
- How to get there:
- Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a dental technician (Zahntechniker/Zahntechnikerin) in a dental laboratory normally takes 3.5 years and is often shortened with your journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief); the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer) decides on the shortening. For your own lab you later need the master qualification, because the dental technician trade requires a license.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact€3,500gross per monthMedian salary
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Optician
With further training
As an optician you measure eyes, advise on glasses and contact lenses and make and repair glasses in the workshop.
- What you bring:
- You have fine motor skills and work precisely with metal, small screws and solder joints, and you advise customers on style and fit.
- How to get there:
- Vocational training (Ausbildung) as an optician (Augenoptiker/Augenoptikerin) normally takes 3 years and is partly shortened with prior education. For your own shop you later need the master qualification, because the optician trade requires a license.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people -
Watchmaker
Also: Precision mechanic
With vocational training
As a watchmaker or precision mechanic you repair watches or make and assemble fine components for measuring devices and medical technology.
- What you bring:
- You work with tiny parts, tweezers and loupe and have patience for delicate assembly.
- How to get there:
- Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a watchmaker (Uhrmacher/Uhrmacherin) or precision mechanic (Feinwerkmechaniker/Feinwerkmechanikerin) normally takes 3 to 3.5 years and is often shortened with your journeyman certificate. Watchmakers work in the service departments of jewelers and manufacturers, while precision mechanics find jobs in industry.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€3,600gross 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 goldsmith without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Branch manager at a jeweler, Specialist advisor in a jewelry store, Laser engraving employee and Quality inspector in medical technology.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a goldsmith?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Jewelry appraiser, Dental technician, Optician and Watchmaker.
What promotion options do I have as a goldsmith?
Promotions include, for example: Jewelry appraiser and Branch manager at a jeweler.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Quality inspector in medical technology (€4,159 gross per month), Watchmaker (€3,600 gross per month) and Dental technician (€3,500 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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