Career change as a media designer

Career change paths

• Online marketing specialist

  Also: Marketing officer

  With on-the-job training

  As a marketing officer or online marketing specialist, you plan campaigns, steer agencies, look after social media, newsletters and the website, and evaluate results.

  What you bring:

  You know brand appearances, campaigns and advertising materials and work closely with marketing departments.

  How to get there:

  Companies hire designers with a sense for marketing and train them on the job in planning and evaluation. Courses in online marketing and web analytics take a few weeks. A permanent position in a company often brings more predictability than working at an agency or freelancing.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €5,385gross per monthMedian salary

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• Creative director

  Also: Head of marketing communications

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As creative director or head of marketing communications, you are responsible for the whole appearance of a brand, lead a creative team and steer agencies.

  What you bring:

  As a designer or art director, you have developed campaigns, led teams and freelancers and won over clients.

  How to get there:

  You usually make this step in your own agency or company after some years as an art director. Courses on leadership and project management help. In companies, experience in marketing strategy is often also expected for management positions.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €7,900gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lecturer in graphic design

  Also: Course leader at an adult education center (Volkshochschule)

  With on-the-job training

  At private design schools, academies or adult education centers (Volkshochschulen), you teach design, image editing or layout and supervise final projects.

  What you bring:

  You master design, typography and software and can show and explain work steps well.

  How to get there:

  Training providers and design schools mostly use practitioners as freelance lecturers. A trainer course or a course in teaching methods lasting a few weeks helps you get started. This route fits well as a second source of income, but there are also permanent positions.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,155gross per monthMedian salary

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• Social media manager

  Also: Public relations officer

  With on-the-job training

  As a social media manager or public relations officer, you plan content for associations, authorities or companies, create posts and look after the community.

  What you bring:

  You can prepare content visually and know visual language, video and formats for different channels.

  How to get there:

  Organizations hire designers with a feel for texts and topics. Courses in social media and press work take a few weeks. At authorities and associations, working hours are often more predictable than at agencies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €5,318gross per monthMedian salary

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• Web designer

  Also: Web content manager

  With on-the-job training

  As a web designer or web content manager, you design and maintain websites and online shops, build pages in content management systems and optimize them for search engines.

  What you bring:

  You know design, visual language and user guidance and already work with digital media.

  How to get there:

  Agencies and companies train graphic designers on the job in content management systems and the basics of HTML and CSS. Courses on these take a few weeks. Programming skills are an advantage.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,305gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lecturer for graphic and layout programs

  Also: Trainer for digital media

  With on-the-job training

  As a lecturer at training providers or in companies you train adults in these programs, create exercises and accompany retraining in the media field.

  What you bring:

  You work with layout, image and graphics programs every day and know work methods that save beginners a lot of time.

  How to get there:

  Training providers use experienced media designers as lecturers, often at first on a freelance basis. You gain teaching basics through courses in adult education that take a few weeks. Manufacturer certificates for the programs and trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) improve your chances of a permanent job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,449gross per monthMedian salary

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• Customer advisor in sales at a print shop

  Also: Sales employee for printed matter and packaging

  With on-the-job training

  In the sales of a print shop or packaging company you look after business customers, calculate offers, clear up data questions and accompany jobs through to delivery.

  What you bring:

  You know which data, papers and finishes a print product needs and can advise customers with technical expertise.

  How to get there:

  Print shops like to fill jobs in inside sales and customer advice with media designers and give them a few weeks to months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). You learn calculation in the company or in courses of the associations. In field sales, a driving license class B and willingness to travel are added.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Video editor

  Also: Editor for online videos

  With on-the-job training

  As a video editor you cut films for social media, companies and advertising, add graphics, animations and subtitles and prepare videos for different platforms.

  What you bring:

  You have a good eye for composition, lettering and color and work confidently with design software.

  How to get there:

  Courses in video editing and motion design at training providers usually take a few weeks to months. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter approves it. Entry-level jobs exist at agencies, production companies and companies with their own video production, and what usually counts is a portfolio with your own videos.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Media designer at a signage company

  Also: Signage technician

  With on-the-job training

  In signage technology you design lettering for vehicles, shop windows and signs, prepare plotter and large-format data and help with production and installation.

  What you bring:

  You design layouts, prepare print data and know color management, vector graphics and the requirements of large formats.

  How to get there:

  Signage businesses hire media designers for design and data preparation and give them a few weeks of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on plotters, films and large-format printing. You learn wrapping and installation in the company or in manufacturer courses. A trade qualification comes from vocational training (Ausbildung) as a sign and illuminated advertising maker (Schilder- und Lichtreklamehersteller/Schilder- und Lichtreklameherstellerin), which takes 3 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €3,305gross per monthMedian salary

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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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• 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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• UX designer

  Also: Usability engineer

  With further training

  As a UX designer, you study how people use websites, apps and software, develop prototypes and test them with users.

  What you bring:

  For years you have designed interfaces, layouts and user guidance and think visually from the user's point of view.

  How to get there:

  Further training in user experience design usually takes a few months, often with a certificate. A portfolio with your own UX projects matters more for an application than a degree. Employers include, for example, software companies, agencies and digital departments of large companies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,893gross per monthMedian salary

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• Teacher of media design at a vocational school

  Also: Teacher of design technology

  With a degree

  At a vocational school, you teach future media designers, design technology assistants or upper secondary technical school students (Fachoberschüler) in design and media technology.

  What you bring:

  You know media design, printing and digital media from practice and know what agencies expect from junior staff.

  How to get there:

  Some states allow the alternative route into teaching (Seiteneinstieg) with a Diplom or master's degree in design. You then complete a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) alongside work, usually lasting 18 to 24 months. Each state decides whether your degree is recognized and whether a second subject is needed.*Regulated by law (State law: teacher education acts and alternative-route regulations of the German states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €5,140gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical writer

  Also: Information designer

  With further training

  As a technical writer, you create instructions, manuals and online help with illustrations and videos for machines, software or devices.

  What you bring:

  You can make complex content understandable with images, graphics and clear structure.

  How to get there:

  Part-time further training in technical writing with a certificate, for example to the standard of the professional association tekom, usually takes a few months. There are jobs in mechanical engineering, medical technology and software, for example. An interest in technology and good English are expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €4,728gross per monthMedian salary

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• Certified senior media specialist

  Also: Production manager, print

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a senior media specialist or production manager you plan and calculate jobs, lead teams in pre-press and production and look after important customers.

  What you bring:

  You know the path of a job from customer data through pre-press and printing to delivery and know where delays occur.

  How to get there:

  You take further training as a certified senior media specialist (Geprüfter Medienfachwirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), usually 1.5 to 2 years alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With a qualification as a digital and print media designer you are admitted directly; with another training occupation, after one year of work experience; without a vocational qualification, after 4 years of work experience related to the tasks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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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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• 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

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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.