Career change as a lab technician

Career change paths

• Plant operator in chemical production

  Also: Shift worker in chemical production

  With on-the-job training

  In production, you operate reactors, mixers and filling plants from the control room, take samples and watch plant safety.

  What you bring:

  You understand chemical reactions, hazardous substances and measured values and quickly recognize when something deviates.

  How to get there:

  Chemical companies usually train lab staff at the plants over a few weeks to months, and the work is almost always in rotating shifts (Schichtdienst). With enough work experience, you can earn the qualification as a chemical plant operator (Chemikant) through the external exam (Externenprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €4,942gross per monthMedian salary

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• Field sales representative for laboratory supplies

  Also: Sales representative for chemicals

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer or dealer, you advise labs in industry, clinics and authorities, present products and look after customers up to the order.

  What you bring:

  You know from everyday lab work which devices, consumables and chemicals prove their worth and where things go wrong.

  How to get there:

  The manufacturer or dealer trains you on the job with product training, usually for a few weeks to months. A class B driving license and willingness to travel are generally expected. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed commercial agent you usually work on commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Operations staff member at a wastewater treatment plant

  Also: Water treatment staff member

  With on-the-job training

  In sewage treatment plants or at water suppliers, you monitor the treatment stages, control pumps and dosing systems and evaluate lab results for operations.

  What you bring:

  You can take and analyze water samples and understand how chemical and biological processes influence the measured values.

  How to get there:

  Municipal utilities and water associations train career changers with lab experience over a few months. On-call duty is often part of the job. For a qualification of your own, you can train as an environmental technologist for wastewater management or for water supply (Umwelttechnologe/Umwelttechnologin für Abwasserbewirtschaftung oder für Wasserversorgung; formerly Fachkraft für Abwassertechnik or Wasserversorgungstechnik), after enough work experience also through an external exam (Externenprüfung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €4,070gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality control technician in the pharmaceutical industry

  Also: GMP quality assurance associate

  With on-the-job training

  In quality control or quality assurance at a pharmaceutical, biotech or food manufacturer, you test samples, prepare batch releases, handle deviations and maintain GMP documentation.

  What you bring:

  You work according to regulations, document precisely and know microbiological and biochemical test methods.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers usually train lab staff in their test procedures and GMP rules over a few weeks to months, often with internal training. Training providers offer short courses on GMP and quality management.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,317gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clinical study assistant

  Also: Study coordinator

  With on-the-job training

  As a study assistant in a clinic or a study center, you organize clinical studies, prepare samples, maintain study data and stay in contact with the sponsors.

  What you bring:

  You work exactly to protocol, document carefully and know how to handle samples.

  How to get there:

  Clinics and study centers train lab staff on the job, and courses on study assistance and Good Clinical Practice usually take a few days to a few weeks. Positions can be fixed-term and tied to individual studies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically light

  €4,447gross per monthMedian salary

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• Application specialist for laboratory diagnostics

  Also: Field sales representative for laboratory systems

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer or dealer, you install analysis systems in labs, train the staff, help with validations and problems and advise customers on technical matters.

  What you bring:

  You know analysis devices, reagents, quality controls and typical faults in everyday lab work from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers of laboratory diagnostics hire medical technologists (MT) with work experience and train them on their systems, usually for a few weeks to months. A class B driving license, willingness to travel and often good English are expected. In sales, part of the pay can depend on success.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €5,550gross per monthMedian salary

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• Application support specialist for the laboratory information system

  Also: IT support staff member in healthcare

  With on-the-job training

  In application support, you set up analyses, reference ranges and interfaces in the system, test updates, train colleagues and help with faults.

  What you bring:

  You know lab procedures from order receipt to the report and work every day with the laboratory information system and device connections.

  How to get there:

  Hospitals, lab networks and software manufacturers like to fill such positions with experienced medical technologists (MT) and train them over a few months, often with manufacturer training. You add IT basics on databases and interfaces through courses. For pure network or system administration, IT training is usually expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,568gross per monthMedian salary

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• Infection protection officer at the public health office (Gesundheitsamt)

  With on-the-job training

  In infection protection at a public health office, you receive reports from labs and doctors' practices, trace contacts, advise those affected and institutions and document outbreaks.

  What you bring:

  You know notifiable pathogens, lab results and examination methods and can put results into professional context.

  How to get there:

  Public health offices hire health professionals for this and train them for a few weeks in the Infection Protection Act (Infektionsschutzgesetz), reporting and software. The academies for public health offer further training. Positions are advertised in the public sector.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,771gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality management officer in the lab

  Also: Quality manager in laboratory diagnostics

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a quality management officer, you maintain the quality manual, prepare audits and the accreditation under DIN EN ISO 15189, train the team and follow deviations through to a solution.

  What you bring:

  You work every day with quality controls according to the guideline of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer), interlaboratory comparison tests, device logbooks and work instructions.

  How to get there:

  Larger labs and lab networks often hand this task to experienced medical technologists (MT), at first alongside lab work. Courses for quality management officer at training providers and testing organizations usually take a few days to weeks. You can take on quality management on its own or combined with management tasks in the lab.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,565gross per monthMedian salary

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• State-certified chemical engineering technician

  Also: Process technician in chemical production

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a technician in chemical engineering, you optimize processes, look after test and production plants and lead teams in the lab or the plant.

  What you bring:

  You know analyses, material properties and laboratory equipment and understand what happens chemically in reactors and plants.

  How to get there:

  You can take the upgrading course to become a state-certified technician (staatlich geprüfte/r Techniker/in) in chemical engineering at a technical college (Fachschule). It usually takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work, and it is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are usually admitted with a vocational qualification and work experience, and the federal state regulates the details.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €6,281gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit)

  Also: Company environmental protection officer

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an occupational safety specialist or environmental protection officer, you inspect workplaces and plants, advise managers and make sure regulations are followed.

  What you bring:

  You know hazardous substances, limit values and measuring methods and know how to assess risks in the lab and in the plant.

  How to get there:

  For training as an occupational safety specialist at statutory accident insurance institutions (Berufsgenossenschaften) or training providers, you need a technician or master craftsperson (Meister) qualification followed by at least two years of practice, or, without this exam, at least four years of work as a technician or master craftsperson. Alongside work, the training takes one to two years depending on the provider. As an emission control officer, you generally need a degree in addition to a recognized expertise course and two years of practice at comparable plants. In individual cases, the authority can accept a technician or master craftsperson qualification with four years of practice.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4; for emission control officers, Federal Immission Control Act (BImSchG) § 55 (2) and 5th BImSchV §§ 7, 8).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

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• Apprentice trainer for chemical lab technicians

  Also: Trainer in a training consortium (Ausbildungsverbund)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer in a chemical company or a training network, you teach apprentices methods and safety rules and prepare them for the exams.

  What you bring:

  You master lab work from sampling to evaluation and can explain work steps patiently.

  How to get there:

  You need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung), which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider. For full-time trainer positions, a technician or master craftsperson (Meister) qualification is often expected in addition.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lead medical technologist in the lab

  Also: Lab team lead

  With further trainingPromotion

  As lead medical technologist (MT), you organize the team, plan shifts and on-call duty, are responsible for quality assurance and accreditation and are the point of contact for the laboratory physicians.

  What you bring:

  You know analytics, quality controls, device maintenance and shift planning in the lab and know where errors and delays arise in the process.

  How to get there:

  You usually reach this role after several years of work experience, often first as deputy head. Further training for healthcare management or the upgrading course for certified senior specialist in health and social services (Geprüfter Fachwirt im Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen, IHK) prepares you for it alongside work. It usually takes 1.5 to 2 years and is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With your qualification under the MT Professions Act, you are admitted after one year of work practice.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact
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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.