Career change as an IT support specialist

Career change paths

• System administrator

  Also: IT administrator

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a system administrator you run servers, storage and user management, install updates, monitor systems and secure data.

  What you bring:

  You know operating systems, user accounts, networks and typical faults from support, and you solve problems in a structured way.

  How to get there:

  One option is an internal step from second-level support into administration, accompanied by vendor certificates, for example for Microsoft or Linux systems, which take a few weeks to a few months. Without an IT vocational qualification, retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist for system integration (Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration), which usually takes about two years, gives you the recognized qualification. With a qualification, you can take the further training course for certified professional specialist for system integration and networking (Berufsspezialist für Systemintegration und Vernetzung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,179gross per monthMedian salary

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• Software tester

  Also: IT test analyst

  With on-the-job training

  As a software tester you check applications before release, write test cases, carry out manual and automated tests, and document errors for development.

  What you bring:

  You find errors systematically, describe them clearly and know the users' view of software.

  How to get there:

  You start with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), often together with the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate, which you can prepare for in a few days to a few weeks. For test automation you need basic programming knowledge, which you can gain alongside a job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,986gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT trainer

  Also: Trainer for digital skills

  With on-the-job training

  As an IT trainer you train employees or course participants in office programs, company software or IT basics, in person or online.

  What you bring:

  You patiently explain programs and processes to users every day and know where they get stuck.

  How to get there:

  You can start at training providers or software providers or in internal training, often first on a fee basis. Vendor certificates and a trainer qualification improve your chances. If you train IT specialists (Fachinformatiker) in a company, you also need to pass the trainer aptitude exam (Ausbildereignungsprüfung) under the Vocational Training Act.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightHome office possible

  €5,449gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT customer account manager

  Also: Presales consultant

  With on-the-job training

  In IT sales or presales you advise business customers, show solutions in demonstrations, clarify technical questions and support sales with quotes.

  What you bring:

  You understand IT products technically, explain them clearly and know customers' problems from support.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at IT system integrators, manufacturers or software providers, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months with product training. Communication skills and willingness to travel are expected, and sales targets are usually part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleHome office possible

  €6,745gross per monthMedian salary

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• Network technician

  Also: Technician for network and communication systems

  With on-the-job training

  As a network technician you set up switches, routers, firewalls and Wi-Fi, monitor networks, fix faults and document the infrastructure.

  What you bring:

  You know connection problems, Wi-Fi, VPN and network printers from support, and you track down faults step by step.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at IT system integrators, network operators or in your own IT department, plus vendor certificates such as Cisco CCNA, which usually take a few weeks to a few months to prepare for. At service providers, on-site assignments at customers and on-call duty are common.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €5,667gross per monthMedian salary

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• Team leader in customer service

  Also: Call center trainer, Quality coach in customer service

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As team leader or trainer you coach colleagues, listen in on calls, plan shifts and train new people.

  What you bring:

  You know conversation skills, systems, key figures and difficult customer conversations from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal promotion after some time in customer service, often starting as team coordinator or mentor for new colleagues, with management training in the company. You can earn a recognized qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) as dialog marketing clerk (Kaufmann für Dialogmarketing), which takes three years. After four and a half years of work experience, you can also take the exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) without training under § 45 para. 2 BBiG.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,604gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clerk in insurance inside service

  Also: Customer service employee in an insurer's inside service

  With on-the-job training

  In the inside service of an insurer you process contracts, changes and claim reports, and clarify questions with customers and intermediaries.

  What you bring:

  You explain contracts, rates and processes clearly on the phone and work confidently with customer databases.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at an insurer, often starting in telephone customer service and then moving to casework, usually lasting several months. For a recognized qualification there is vocational training (Ausbildung) as insurance and financial investments clerk (Kaufmann für Versicherungen und Finanzanlagen), which takes three years, also as retraining (Umschulung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,797gross per monthMedian salary

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• Customer adviser at a health insurance fund

  Also: Social insurance specialist (Sozialversicherungsfachangestellte)

  With on-the-job training

  At a health insurance fund or pension insurance provider you advise insured people, take in applications and process benefits such as sick pay or medical aids.

  What you bring:

  You stay friendly even with upset callers and explain rules clearly.

  How to get there:

  Health insurance funds also hire career changers for service centers and customer advice and train them in-house, often for several months. Completed commercial training is usually expected. The recognized qualification is vocational training (Ausbildung) as social insurance specialist (Sozialversicherungsfachangestellte), which takes three years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,964gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staffing coordinator

  Also: Temporary staffing recruiter

  With on-the-job training

  In staffing coordination you look for candidates, talk to them and plan their assignments at client companies.

  What you bring:

  You make many calls, quickly build rapport with people and work cleanly in the system under time pressure.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a temporary staffing or personnel services provider, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months. Switching in from sales and customer service is possible. The recognized qualification is vocational training (Ausbildung) as personnel services clerk (Personaldienstleistungskaufmann), which takes three years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,046gross per monthMedian salary

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• Travel consultant

  Also: Tourism clerk (Tourismuskaufmann)

  With on-the-job training

  In a travel agency or in the customer service of a tour operator you put trips together, book flights and hotels, and look after customers before and during the trip.

  What you bring:

  You advise on the phone, book in systems and stay calm with complaints.

  How to get there:

  Tour operators and online portals also hire career changers for telephone travel advice and train them on booking systems, usually for a few weeks. For travel agencies, a qualification as tourism clerk for private and business travel (Tourismuskaufmann für Privat- und Geschäftsreisen) is usual, which is a three-year vocational training (Ausbildung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,291gross per monthMedian salary

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• Receivables management clerk

  Also: Debt collection clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In receivables management you clarify open invoices, agree on installment payments and process objections.

  What you bring:

  You can also lead unpleasant conversations objectively, listen, and find solutions both sides can live with.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a debt collection company or in the receivables department of a company, usually lasting a few weeks, with training in dunning procedures and legal basics.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,278gross per monthMedian salary

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• Inside sales specialist

  Also: Inside sales representative

  With on-the-job training

  In the inside sales department of a manufacturer or wholesaler you advise customers on the phone, write quotes, take orders and build customer relationships.

  What you bring:

  You hold many customer conversations every day, work confidently in the CRM system, and stay friendly and committed even when customers object.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the company, usually lasting a few weeks with product training. Commercial training, for example in wholesale and foreign trade management (Groß- und Außenhandelsmanagement) or dialog marketing, is often expected, but experience in telephone customer contact counts for a lot. Look for a permanent position in which commission makes up only a small part of your pay.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT security administrator

  Also: IT security analyst

  With further trainingPromotion

  In IT security you monitor systems for attacks, evaluate warning messages, implement protective measures and train employees in the safe use of IT.

  What you bring:

  You know user rights, updates, phishing reports and security incidents from everyday support.

  How to get there:

  A few years of experience in administration and part-time certificate courses in IT security, lasting a few weeks to a few months, are the usual route. As a recognized qualification, the further training course for certified professional specialist for information security (Berufsspezialist für Informationssicherheit) fits: with IT training you are admitted directly, with other training after one year of relevant work experience, and without a qualification after four years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €6,129gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT specialist for application development

  Also: IT application developer

  With retraining

  In application development you program software or adapt existing programs, test them and work closely with the business departments.

  What you bring:

  You understand how systems and applications work together and know users' problems first-hand.

  How to get there:

  You earn the recognized qualification through vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist for application development (Fachinformatiker für Anwendungsentwicklung). Retraining usually takes about two years and can, under certain conditions, be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). With an IT qualification, you can take the further training course for certified professional specialist for software development (Berufsspezialist für Softwareentwicklung). Without a qualification, you mainly get in by showing projects of your own.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,201gross per monthMedian salary

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• Team leader IT service

  Also: Head of IT

  With further trainingPromotion

  As team leader in IT service or head of IT in a smaller company you plan staff and projects, manage service providers and budgets, and report to management.

  What you bring:

  You know the IT landscape from the users' point of view, know where things get stuck and have learned to set priorities under pressure.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there after several years in support and administration, often starting as team leader at the service desk. Courses teach the basics of IT service management, for example under ITIL, and their length depends on the provider. As a recognized further training, the Bachelor Professional in IT fits and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications): with IT training you are admitted directly, with other training after one year of relevant work experience, and without a qualification after five years. In corporations, a university degree is usually expected for the head of IT.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €7,647gross per monthMedian salary

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• Office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement)

  Also: Inside service clerk

  With retraining

  In casework you handle orders, invoices and correspondence in the background instead of working at the pace of the calls.

  What you bring:

  You work all day with customer data, systems and written inquiries and follow processes exactly.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as office management clerk (Kaufmann für Büromanagement), which usually takes two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). In some cases, you can also switch internally to the back office with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,810gross 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.