Career change as a healthcare business clerk

Career change paths

• Payroll accountant

  Also: Payroll clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In payroll accounting, this accuracy and discretion are the core of the work.

  What you bring:

  You handle confidential data carefully, work to deadlines and use office software confidently.

  How to get there:

  Take a payroll course at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or a training provider. It usually takes a few months. You also get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the payroll software.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the HR department, you also deal with employment contracts, vacation, sick notes and applications.

  What you bring:

  You manage files, prepare letters from templates and handle data confidentially.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the HR department, often supplemented by an HR administration course lasting a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,513gross per monthMedian salary

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• Executive assistant to the managing director

  Also: Management assistant

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As an assistant to the management you also take on projects, minutes and the preparation of meetings.

  What you bring:

  You organize appointments, mail, filing and communication reliably and know what has to stay confidential.

  How to get there:

  You get there with a few years of office experience, via an internal application or a change of employer. Alongside your job, the further training course for certified senior specialist for office and project organization (Fachwirt für Büro- und Projektorganisation) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) helps. It usually takes one to two years and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,810gross per monthMedian salary

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• Citizens' office clerk

  Also: Vehicle registration office clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the citizens' office or the registration office you process applications for ID cards, registrations or vehicles.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with forms, data and regulations, and you explain processes to customers in a friendly and clear way.

  How to get there:

  Some municipalities hire office staff for the citizens' office or the registration office and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Often, however, administrative training is expected, or administrative course I (Verwaltungslehrgang I) is required after hiring. What exactly applies is stated in the job ad.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,822gross per monthMedian salary

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• Purchasing clerk

  Also: Purchasing planner

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you also compare prices, negotiate terms and keep an eye on delivery dates.

  What you bring:

  You collect quotes, write orders, check invoices and keep in contact with suppliers.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in purchasing, often starting as a clerk. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing and logistics at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Property manager

  Also: Clerk in property management

  With on-the-job training

  In property management, you also deal with tenant questions, utility bill statements and orders to craftspeople.

  What you bring:

  You write letters to customers, manage files and payments, and keep deadlines in view.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in a property management firm, often starting as an assistant. If you work directly on managing apartments, you must take legally required further training: 20 hours in three years. Later you can take the exam for certified property manager at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or the further training course for certified senior real estate specialist (Immobilienfachwirt). If you become a self-employed property manager, you need a permit under § 34c GewO.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staffing coordinator

  Also: Temporary staffing consultant

  With on-the-job training

  In staffing coordination you plan employee assignments at client companies, conduct job interviews and stay in contact with both sides.

  What you bring:

  You make many phone calls, organize appointments and keep data clean.

  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.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,046gross per monthMedian salary

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• Law firm secretary

  Also: Paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte)

  With on-the-job training

  In law firms and notary offices, you also handle written submissions, deadline monitoring, client contact and law firm software.

  What you bring:

  You write letters confidently, keep files and appointments, and work precisely with deadlines.

  How to get there:

  Law firms also hire office staff as secretaries and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). You pick up knowledge of the respective field of law in everyday work. You can earn a recognized qualification through retraining (Umschulung) as paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte), which usually takes about two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,421gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clerk at a health insurance fund

  Also: Customer adviser in social insurance

  With on-the-job training

  At health insurance funds, pension insurance or accident insurance providers you check applications for benefits, process contributions and advise insured people.

  What you bring:

  You process applications, maintain data, keep deadlines and patiently explain to customers what is missing.

  How to get there:

  Some health insurance funds and insurance providers hire office staff with commercial training and train them in-house, often with courses over several months. Others, however, expect vocational training (Ausbildung) as social insurance specialist (Sozialversicherungsfachangestellte) or offer it themselves. The job ad states what applies.*

  * 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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• Medical coding specialist

  Also: Medical controlling employee

  With on-the-job training

  In coding you translate diagnoses and treatments into diagnosis and procedure codes for hospital billing and clarify questions with doctors.

  What you bring:

  You write doctors' letters and surgery reports, know medical terminology and know where to find which information in the patient file.

  How to get there:

  You start in medical controlling or billing at a hospital with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). A coding specialist course at a training provider usually takes a few weeks to a few months and can also be done alongside a job. Long experience in the secretariat of a specialist department helps you get started, often through an internal switch first.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,447gross per monthMedian salary

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• Credit controller

  Also: Credit management clerk

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In credit management you check customers' creditworthiness, set credit limits and manage open claims.

  What you bring:

  From accounts receivable you know incoming payments, dunning and the customers who regularly pay late.

  How to get there:

  This is usually an internal promotion from accounts receivable, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Part-time courses in credit management take a few weeks to a few months. Commercial training and experience with dunning are generally expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,219gross per monthMedian salary

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• Financial accountant

  Also: Balance sheet accountant

  With further trainingPromotion

  You already bring care with figures and deadlines from your office work.

  What you bring:

  With a commercial foundation and experience in accounting, you can prepare monthly and annual closings and take over tax topics.

  How to get there:

  First gain experience in accounting, then take the further training course for certified balance sheet accountant (Bilanzbuchhalter) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes about two years alongside a job and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted to the exam with completed three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung). Without it you need at least five years of work experience, mainly in finance and accounting.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT support specialist

  Also: IT specialist for system integration

  With retraining

  In IT support you help colleagues with software, devices and access.

  What you bring:

  You work with office software every day, know the typical problems users have, and explain patiently.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist for system integration (Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration), which usually takes two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,400gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of a transcription service

  Also: Office manager in hospital administration

  With further trainingPromotion

  As head of a secretarial or transcription service you assign work, plan staff cover, lead the team and improve processes together with the hospital management.

  What you bring:

  You organize appointments, correspondence and files for whole departments and keep many requests under control at the same time.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there through the deputy role in your own hospital. Alongside your job, the further training course for certified senior specialist for office and project organization (Fachwirt für Büro- und Projektorganisation) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) fits well. It usually takes one and a half to two years and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With a three-year commercial or administrative vocational qualification, you are admitted after one year of work experience; with another vocational qualification, such as medical assistant (MFA), after two years; and without a qualification after five years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €4,450gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of patient admission

  Also: Team leader patient management

  With further trainingPromotion

  As head of patient management you steer admissions and bed allocation, lead the patient admission team and make sure the data for billing and documentation is complete.

  What you bring:

  You know admission, bed occupancy, discharge and how wards, doctors and administration work together from everyday hospital life.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there after some years of experience, often through the deputy role. Alongside your job, the further training course for certified senior specialist in health and social services (Fachwirt im Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) prepares you for it. It usually takes one and a half to two years and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). As a medical assistant (MFA) you are admitted after one year of work experience, with another commercial qualification after two years, and without a qualification after five years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLots of contact with people
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• Registered nurse (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann)

  With vocational training

  In nursing you look after people directly, plan their care on your own responsibility and work closely with doctors.

  What you bring:

  You know ward routines, medical terms, illnesses and how to deal with patients from everyday work in a hospital or practice.

  How to get there:

  You do vocational training (Ausbildung) as a registered nurse (Pflegefachfrau/Pflegefachmann). It takes three years full-time or up to five years part-time, and you receive a training allowance. It can be shortened only to the extent that a previous training is equivalent, and the responsible authority decides on this on request.*Regulated by law (Nursing Professions Act (PflBG)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,421gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR officer in a hospital

  Also: Certified HR specialist (Personalfachkaufmann)

  With further trainingPromotion

  In the HR department you support employees from hiring to departure, run selection procedures, advise managers and take part in personnel development.

  What you bring:

  You organize processes for many people, handle data confidentially and know the professional groups and work processes in a hospital.

  How to get there:

  You usually first switch to the HR department as an HR clerk, because for the further training course for certified HR specialist (Personalfachkaufmann) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) only HR-related work experience counts. With a commercial or administrative vocational qualification you are admitted after two years of such experience, with another vocational qualification such as medical assistant (MFA) after three years, and without a qualification after five years. The course usually takes one and a half to two years alongside a job and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). By the last part of the exam you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,147gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tax assistant (Steuerfachangestellte)

  Also: Accountant in a tax firm

  With retraining

  In a tax firm you do the bookkeeping for different clients, prepare payroll, and prepare tax returns and closings.

  What you bring:

  You know account assignment, value-added tax and accounting programs from the company.

  How to get there:

  Tax firms also hire experienced accounting staff directly for client bookkeeping. The recognized qualification is vocational training (Ausbildung) as tax assistant (Steuerfachangestellte), which takes three years, or usually about two years as retraining (Umschulung). The Chamber of Tax Advisers (Steuerberaterkammer) is responsible for the exam. Later you can take the further training course for certified senior tax specialist (Steuerfachwirt).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,710gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tax officer (Finanzwirt)

  Also: Tax secretary at the tax office

  With vocational training

  At the tax office you process tax returns, check information and issue tax notices.

  What you bring:

  You know receipts, accounts and value-added tax from the companies' point of view and work precisely according to rules.

  How to get there:

  You do the preparatory service for the mid-level civil service of the tax administration, usually for two years, with pay during training. You usually need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss), or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) together with vocational training (Berufsausbildung). Age limits and hiring dates differ by state, and some tax offices also hire employees with commercial training under collective pay agreements (Tarif).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,615gross per monthMedian salary

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• Team leader accounting

  Also: Head of financial accounting

  With a degreePromotion

  As team leader or head of accounting you assign tasks, check closings and are the contact for the management and tax advisers.

  What you bring:

  You know all the processes from the invoice to the outgoing payment and know where errors arise.

  How to get there:

  You usually get there through the certified balance sheet accountant qualification (Bilanzbuchhalter) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and several years of experience, often starting as a deputy. In small and medium-sized companies, leading the accounting department without a university degree is common, while corporations more often expect a degree.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €8,334gross 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.