Career change as a camera operator
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 5 with on-the-job training and 3 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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Media technician at a university
Also: IT and media technician in a company
With on-the-job training
At universities, public authorities or companies you look after conference rooms, lecture halls and video conferencing systems, train users, and usually work regular hours.
- What you bring:
- You set up sound, image, projection and cameras quickly and fix faults, even when the audience is already waiting.
- How to get there:
- Employers usually give specialists from event or media technology a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in their systems and network. Basic IT knowledge is important, and vendor training for conference and control technology often takes only a few days.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light€4,400gross per monthMedian salary
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Network technician
Also: Systems technician for networked media technology
With on-the-job training
As a network or systems technician you plan, install and look after networks and servers at companies, IT system integrators or broadcasters.
- What you bring:
- You work with networked sound, video and control systems and know signal paths, protocols and troubleshooting.
- How to get there:
- IT system integrators and companies give media technicians with IT knowledge on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Vendor certificates for network technology, which you gain in courses of a few weeks, help you with this. You can earn an IT qualification through retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist (Fachinformatiker), which usually takes a good two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€5,667gross per monthMedian salary
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Production manager for film and television
Also: Post-production supervisor
With on-the-job trainingPromotion
As production manager or post-production supervisor you plan shooting days or post-production, staff and technology, organize permits and service providers, and make sure the production stays within time and budget.
- What you bring:
- You know the processes on set, in the studio, in editing and in live productions, and you know what technology, team and schedule need.
- How to get there:
- Production companies and broadcasters often fill such jobs with experienced people from technology or production, usually after some projects as an assistant. Jobs can be project-based and fixed-term. Courses in production management at industry training providers can help.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Often at weekendsShift workLittle customer contact -
Event project manager
Also: Event manager
With on-the-job training
As a project manager you plan congresses, company events or trade fairs, get quotes, coordinate service providers and technology, and look after customers from the first idea to the dismantling.
- What you bring:
- You know events from the technical side, and you know what set-up, schedule and safety really require.
- How to get there:
- Agencies and organizers usually train specialists from event technology on the job, during a running project. You can add commercial basics in courses. You can earn a commercial qualification through retraining (Umschulung) as event management clerk (Veranstaltungskaufmann), which usually takes about two years.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Often at weekendsLots of contact with people€4,165gross per monthMedian salary
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Sales employee for media and event technology
Also: Technical specialist adviser at an AV specialist retailer
With on-the-job training
At manufacturers, rental companies or specialist retailers you advise customers, plan suitable systems, prepare quotes and support projects through to handover.
- What you bring:
- You know mixing consoles, speakers, cameras and lighting systems from hands-on experience, and you know what works in which environment.
- How to get there:
- Manufacturers and retailers give technicians on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) with product and sales training lasting a few weeks to a few months. A class B driving license is usually expected. Look for a permanent position, because as a self-employed commercial agent you usually work on commission only.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people€4,456gross per monthMedian salary
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Master craftsperson in event technology (Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik)
Also: Technical director of an event venue
With further trainingPromotion
As a master craftsperson in event technology you plan and lead technical processes in halls, theaters or at large events, lead teams and bear responsibility for safety.
- What you bring:
- You know sound, lighting, video and rigging from many productions, and you know what matters for safety and procedures.
- How to get there:
- Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for master craftsperson in event technology (Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications), and the duration depends on the provider. You are admitted with a qualification as event technology specialist (Fachkraft für Veranstaltungstechnik), with other vocational training plus at least one year of work experience, or with at least four years of work experience. Depending on the state, larger assembly venues need people responsible for event technology, and the master qualification is recognized for this role.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact€3,924gross per monthMedian salary
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Trainer for event technology
Also: Lecturer in sound and media technology
With further trainingPromotion
As a trainer or lecturer you look after apprentices and course participants at a company, training center or media academy and prepare them for their exams.
- What you bring:
- You have mastered sound, lighting, video and safety rules in practice, and you can explain how things connect.
- How to get there:
- With a vocational qualification and work experience you generally meet the professional requirements. You also need to pass the trainer aptitude exam (Ausbildereignungsprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The preparation course takes a few weeks and can be done alongside a job. Full-time jobs exist mainly at training providers, media academies and larger event companies.*Regulated by law (§ 30 Vocational Training Act (BBiG), Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact€5,075gross per monthMedian salary
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Electronics technician for energy and building technology
Also: Electronics technician for building system integration
With retraining
As an electronics technician you install systems in buildings, set up building automation, networks and media technology, and usually work regular hours.
- What you bring:
- You are confident with electricity, cables, connectors and controls, and you know electrical safety from event work.
- How to get there:
- You can do retraining (Umschulung) as electronics technician, which usually takes a little over two years and is often funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). With relevant work experience, a shortened training or an external exam (Externenprüfung) is sometimes possible. For your own business you later need the master craftsperson qualification (Meister) or an equivalent authorization, because the electrical trade requires a license.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demanding€3,675gross 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 camera operator without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Media technician at a university, Network technician, Production manager for film and television, Event project manager and Sales employee for media and event technology.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a camera operator?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Master craftsperson in event technology (Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik), Trainer for event technology and Electronics technician for energy and building technology.
What promotion options do I have as a camera operator?
Promotions include, for example: Master craftsperson in event technology (Meister für Veranstaltungstechnik), Production manager for film and television and Trainer for event technology.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Network technician (€5,667 gross per month), Trainer for event technology (€5,075 gross per month) and Sales employee for media and event technology (€4,456 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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