Career change as a master car mechanic

Career change paths

• Service advisor at a car dealership

  Also: Car salesperson

  With on-the-job training

  At service reception or in sales you take orders, advise on repairs and vehicles and keep in contact until handover.

  What you bring:

  You can explain technology clearly to customers, assess repairs and know what is feasible in the workshop.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at the car dealership (Einarbeitung), often as an internal move from the workshop. Chambers, associations and manufacturers offer courses to become a service advisor or car salesperson, usually lasting a few weeks to months and often alongside work.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician

  Also: Service technician for construction machinery

  With on-the-job training

  With agricultural and construction machinery the systems are bigger, hydraulics plays a bigger role and you are often out at the customer's.

  What you bring:

  You know engines, hydraulics, electrics and diagnostics on vehicles and work confidently with tools and testers.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at the specialist company (Einarbeitung), plus manufacturer courses on hydraulics and machine controls; companies also hire automotive mechatronics technicians for this. A qualification of your own comes from a shortened vocational training as an agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician (Land- und Baumaschinenmechatroniker/Land- und Baumaschinenmechatronikerin).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,584gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Aircraft mechanic

  Also: Mechanic in aircraft maintenance

  With on-the-job training

  In aircraft maintenance even stricter rules apply: every work step is checked and certified.

  What you bring:

  You work exactly to manufacturer specifications, know hydraulics, electrics and diagnostics and document your work carefully.

  How to get there:

  Maintenance companies hire automotive mechatronics technicians and give them several months of training on aircraft technology. English for technical documents and a reliability check for airport access are required. If you later want to release work yourself, you need a license under EU law for aviation personnel (Part-66), which requires modules and years of practice.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €5,464gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Test mechanic

  Also: Mechanic in vehicle testing, Test driver

  With on-the-job training

  In testing at manufacturers and suppliers you install prototypes and measuring technology, test vehicles on test benches or on the track and document anomalies.

  What you bring:

  You can take vehicles apart, convert them and find faults with diagnostic devices.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training with the manufacturer, supplier or development service provider (Einarbeitung). The journeyman certificate as an automotive mechatronics technician is usually required. For test drives there are additional driver trainings in the company.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,527gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Commissioning technician

  Also: Service technician in plant engineering

  With on-the-job training

  As a commissioning technician, you put machines and plants into operation at the customer's site, adjust them, train the operating staff and document the acceptance.

  What you bring:

  You understand mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics working together, read plans confidently and narrow down faults systematically.

  How to get there:

  Machine and plant builders usually train technicians on their own plants over a few months, often with courses on control technology. Expect travel at home and abroad. English skills and a class B driving license are usually expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €4,191gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Technical sales representative

  Also: Application engineer in sales

  With on-the-job training

  In technical sales, you advise customers, clarify requirements, prepare offers with the engineering department and support projects up to delivery.

  What you bring:

  You can explain technical solutions in an understandable way and know what customers in mechanical engineering care about in terms of performance, maintenance and service life.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and dealers train technicians with product and sales training over a few months. A confident manner, willingness to travel and often good English are in demand. A class B driving license is usually required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Technical buyer

  Also: Supplier manager

  With on-the-job training

  As a technical buyer, you obtain offers, compare suppliers, negotiate terms and clarify technical questions with design and quality assurance.

  What you bring:

  You read drawings, tolerances and material specifications and can judge whether a supplied part fits technically.

  How to get there:

  Industrial companies usually train technicians in purchasing over a few months. You can add business basics in courses at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or training providers. Later, a business upgrading course at the IHK is an option, for example in purchasing and logistics.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,204gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Technical facility manager

  Also: Head of building services

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a technical facility manager, you manage building services, maintenance contractors and inspection deadlines for large buildings such as office complexes, clinics or shopping centers.

  What you bring:

  You understand systems such as ventilation, heating, elevators or compressed air technically and can plan maintenance and upkeep.

  How to get there:

  Facility management service providers and large real estate companies hire technicians with maintenance experience and train them in building services and operator duties. Training providers offer courses on building services and operator responsibility alongside work in a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically light
  View job

• Master motor vehicle technician

  Also: Workshop manager, Service manager at a car dealership

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a workshop manager you plan jobs and staff, take on difficult cases yourself and train new staff.

  What you bring:

  You know diagnosis, repair and workshop routines from daily work and know what customers expect.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the motor vehicle technician trade takes about one year full-time and 2 to 3 years alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with the journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief). For your own workshop or as responsible business manager you need the master qualification or an equivalent entitlement, because the motor vehicle trade requires a license.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  €4,431gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Motor vehicle expert for damage and valuation

  Also: Motor claims adjuster

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a motor vehicle expert or claims adjuster you assess accident damage and vehicle values and write expert reports for insurers and customers.

  What you bring:

  You quickly recognize on a vehicle which parts are damaged and how it has to be repaired properly.

  How to get there:

  This usually follows the master craftsperson exam, or a technician qualification plus a few years of experience. Chambers and expert associations offer courses to become a motor vehicle expert alongside work, usually lasting a few months. Insurers often hire motor vehicle master craftspeople for claims settlement and give them on-the-job training themselves (Einarbeitung). Main inspections (Hauptuntersuchungen) are a separate, officially regulated area: for that you need a recognition under the Motor Vehicle Experts Act (Kraftfahrsachverständigengesetz), with a master or technician qualification, for example as an inspector with partial authority at a technical inspection body (Technische Prüfstelle).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €4,431gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Instructor in the motor vehicle trade

  Also: Instructor at an inter-company training facility

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an instructor you work with trainees in the business or in courses of the chamber and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You are skilled in diagnosis and repair in practice and can explain work steps clearly.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the motor vehicle technician trade also includes trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung). It takes about one year full-time and longer alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You can take the exam with the journeyman certificate, but for instructor jobs companies and training centers usually expect several years of work experience.*Regulated by law (Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Fire officer at a professional fire department

  With further training

  In the fire service you also handle firefighting, technical assistance and emergency medical service, and your vehicle knowledge is in demand, for example as a pump operator (Maschinist).

  What you bring:

  You have a technical qualification, know vehicles, engines and tools and work physically and in a team.

  How to get there:

  Training at a professional fire department as a civil servant usually takes 1.5 to 2 years, depending on the federal state, and often includes the emergency medical technician course. The requirement is usually a completed trade or technical vocational qualification, plus a sports test, medical fitness and maximum age limits, which differ by state and city.*Regulated by law (Career and training ordinances of the federal states for the technical fire service).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demanding

  €4,118gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Driving instructor

  With further training

  As a driving instructor you teach learner drivers safe driving in theory and practice.

  What you bring:

  You know vehicle technology, assistance systems and typical operating mistakes from the workshop and can explain technology clearly.

  How to get there:

  Training at a driving instructor training center takes at least 12 months for class BE, with a practice part at a training driving school. Requirements include a minimum age of 21, a driving license class B held for at least three years and a completed vocational qualification, which you show with the journeyman certificate. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter approves it.*Regulated by law (Driving Instructors Act (FahrlG) § 2).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,977gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Vehicle fleet manager

  Also: Fleet manager

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a fleet manager at a transport company, haulage firm or municipality you plan the purchase, maintenance and use of the vehicles, manage workshops and service providers and keep an eye on costs and regulations.

  What you bring:

  You know maintenance, inspection deadlines, damage and repair effort of vehicles from the workshop.

  How to get there:

  This usually follows the master craftsperson exam in the motor vehicle technician trade, or a technician qualification plus a few years of experience, often by managing a company's own workshop. Courses in fleet management at chambers and associations take a few days to weeks. Business knowledge is important for these jobs.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €6,004gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Production manager

  Also: Head of production

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a production manager, you plan staff, machines and deadlines, ensure quality and on-time delivery and are the main point of contact for employees and management.

  What you bring:

  You know machines, manufacturing processes and technical documents and can assess faults and processes technically.

  How to get there:

  Companies also fill production management positions with experienced technicians, often after a few years as a shift or group leader. The upgrading course for certified technical business manager (Geprüfter Technischer Betriebswirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) prepares you for leadership tasks and cost accounting. You can take it alongside work, it is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications), and the duration depends on the provider.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €6,633gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit)

  With further training

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, prepare risk assessments (Gefährdungsbeurteilungen), inspect workplaces and train employees, employed in a company or at an external service.

  What you bring:

  You know machines, safety devices and dangers in the workshop and in production from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  With your technician qualification and subsequent work experience, you generally meet the requirements. After that comes the training as an occupational safety specialist at a statutory accident insurance body or recognized training provider. It runs alongside work in several stages, with classroom and self-study phases.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

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.