Career change as a horse keeper

Career change paths

• Service technician for milking and feeding technology

  Also: Service technician for milking robots

  With on-the-job training

  As a service technician you install, service and repair milking robots, feeding and barn systems on farms and explain the technology to the farms.

  What you bring:

  You work every day with barn technology such as feeding, ventilation or milking systems and know what a breakdown means for the animals and the farm.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers and specialist dealers for milking and barn technology give technically skilled animal husbandry specialists and farmers several months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) with manufacturer courses. For electrical work, a course to become an electrically qualified person for defined tasks (Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten) is often added. A qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as an agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician (Land- und Baumaschinenmechatroniker/Land- und Baumaschinenmechatronikerin), which usually takes a good 2 years. On-call duty for faults, also at night and on weekends, is usually part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,584gross per monthMedian salary

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• Field technical advisor, animal feed

  Also: Sales advisor for barn technology

  With on-the-job training

  In field sales for a feed mill, agricultural merchant or manufacturer you visit farms, advise on rations and products, prepare offers and look after regular customers.

  What you bring:

  You know from your own experience what animal keepers expect from feed, mineral feed or barn technology and which problems really occur in the barn.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the company (Einarbeitung) with product and sales training, usually a few weeks to months. A driving license class B is expected, and a qualification as an animal husbandry specialist or farmer is an advantage. For feeding advice some employers additionally expect the master qualification or a vocational college. Look for permanent employment instead of pure commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Biogas plant attendant

  Also: Biogas plant manager

  With on-the-job training

  As a plant attendant you feed and monitor a biogas plant, check gas quality, digester values and technology and fix faults or call in the service.

  What you bring:

  You know slurry, manure and feed residues as input materials, work with pumps, agitators and loading technology and reliably follow fixed procedures.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the operator or plant manufacturer (Einarbeitung), usually a few weeks to months. Operating staff of biogas plants also take training, for example on expertise under the Technical Rule for Plant Safety (TRAS 120), which usually takes a few days. Jobs are available at agricultural operators, energy suppliers and service providers. On-call duty for faults is usual.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact
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• Hoof trimmer

  Also: Employee at a hoof trimming business

  With on-the-job training

  As a hoof trimmer you travel from farm to farm with the hoof trimming chute, trim hooves, treat sick hooves in agreement with the veterinarian and document the findings.

  What you bring:

  You handle cattle confidently, recognize lameness early and know how strongly healthy hooves affect performance and well-being.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training at a hoof trimming business, usually for a few months (Einarbeitung). To be admitted to the further training exam to become a certified hoof trimmer (Geprüfter Klauenpfleger), you need a qualification as an animal husbandry specialist or farmer and at least 6 months of relevant work experience; with another qualification you need one year, and without a qualification 4 years. The work is physically demanding, and later you can also become self-employed.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demanding

  €2,783gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tractor driver at a contractor

  Also: Machine operator in agriculture

  With on-the-job training

  At contractors or large farms, you drive tractors, feed mixer wagons and harvesting machines and help with maintenance.

  What you bring:

  You know agricultural processes, forage harvest and the handling of farm machinery.

  How to get there:

  Contractors give people with farm experience on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the machines. Depending on the vehicle, you need a driving license class T, L or CE. Long days are usual during harvest, and in winter there is often workshop work.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Little customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €3,080gross per monthMedian salary

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• Nursing assistant

  Also: Care support worker in elderly care

  With on-the-job training

  As a nursing assistant or care support worker, you support older people and people in need of care in daily life and with basic care.

  What you bring:

  You are used to getting up early, physical work and responsibility for living beings, and you stay calm when something unexpected happens.

  How to get there:

  Nursing homes and care services give career changers on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). For additional care support workers, there is a qualification of about 160 hours with an internship, often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Later, training in nursing assistance (Pflegeassistenz, from 2027 nationwide as Pflegefachassistenz) or in nursing is possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,296gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse worker in agricultural trade

  Also: Feed warehouse worker

  With on-the-job training

  In the warehouse of an agricultural dealer or cooperative, you receive goods, store them, put orders together and load vehicles.

  What you bring:

  You know feed, bedding and farm supplies and can handle a farm loader and forklift.

  How to get there:

  Agricultural dealers and cooperatives usually give people from agriculture on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) right away, and you get the forklift license in a course of a few days. A qualification comes from retraining (Umschulung) as a warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik), which usually takes about 2 years.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

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• Master of animal husbandry

  Also: Herd manager

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a herd manager or master craftsperson (Meister) you plan feeding, breeding and work assignments, lead staff and trainees and keep an eye on the performance and profitability of your production branch.

  What you bring:

  You know feeding, animal health, fertility and barn routines from daily work and notice early when something is wrong in the herd.

  How to get there:

  You take the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) to become a master of animal husbandry (Tierwirtschaftsmeister) at the responsible body for agriculture. Preparation courses are usually alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with a qualification as an animal husbandry specialist (Tierwirt) and then at least 2 years of work experience; with another agricultural qualification after 3 years, or without a qualification after at least 5 years of work experience in animal husbandry. Salaried management jobs are mainly offered by larger dairy and pig farms.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,079gross per monthMedian salary

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• Feeding advisor

  Also: Advisor at a farm producers' advisory association

  With further trainingPromotion

  In advisory work you visit farms, evaluate performance data and feed analyses and work out rations and improvements in housing and animal health with the farm managers.

  What you bring:

  You know from the barn how feed, housing and management affect the performance and health of the animals, and you speak the language of animal keepers.

  How to get there:

  At the vocational college for agriculture (Fachschule für Agrarwirtschaft), you qualify, depending on the federal state, as a state-certified agricultural business manager (staatlich geprüfter Agrarbetriebswirt) or technician for agriculture (Techniker für Landbau). It usually takes 2 years full-time and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Access requires a qualification in an agricultural occupation and work experience; the state sets the exact rules. Jobs are available at producers' advisory associations (Erzeugerringe), performance testing associations (Kontrollverbände), breeding organizations and feed manufacturers; some also hire experienced master craftspeople directly.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people
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• Insemination technician

  Also: Authorized inseminator

  With further training

  As an insemination technician you drive to farms on behalf of an insemination station, inseminate animals, advise on the choice of sires and document every insemination.

  What you bring:

  You know heat detection, fertility and calm handling of cattle or pigs from practice.

  How to get there:

  Under the Animal Breeding Act, you may only work as an authorized inseminator (Besamungsbeauftragter) if you have attended a course on artificial insemination at a recognized training center and passed the exam. This course is more extensive than the short course that allows animal keepers to inseminate only in their own herd. Insemination stations and breeding associations also hire animal husbandry specialists and farmers and train them for the job. The tours start early, and weekend duty is usual.*Regulated by law (Animal Breeding Act (TierZG) § 15 para. 2).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Lots of contact with people

  €2,913gross per monthMedian salary

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• Official veterinary assistant for slaughter animal and meat inspection

  With training or an exam

  As an official veterinary assistant you support the official veterinarian at the slaughterhouse in examining the animals before and after slaughter and watch hygiene and animal welfare.

  What you bring:

  You quickly recognize sick, injured or conspicuous animals and know housing, transport and animal welfare rules from practice.

  How to get there:

  The veterinary authority appoints you after a training course with theory and practice at the slaughterhouse, usually several months, and an exam organized by the states. You need at least a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss), a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate. The jobs are often part-time or paid by the hour with early starts, and you are employed by a district, city or state.*Regulated by law (Ordinance on Monitoring of Foods of Animal Origin (Tier-LMÜV) § 3, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/624 Annex II Chapter II).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,908gross per monthMedian salary

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• Milk collection truck driver

  Also: Animal transport driver

  With further training

  As a driver of a milk collection truck you pick up milk at the farms and take samples, and in animal transport you bring animals to their destination gently and according to the rules.

  What you bring:

  You know farmsteads, narrow access roads and barn times and handle milk or animals hygienically and calmly.

  How to get there:

  You need a driving license class C or CE and the accelerated basic qualification with an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Together this usually takes a few months. Funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein) is possible if the Federal Employment Agency (Agentur für Arbeit) or the Jobcenter approves it. For animal transport you additionally need a certificate of competence with training and an exam under animal welfare law. Dairies and their haulage contractors train you in sampling and hygiene.*Regulated by law (Driving License Ordinance (FeV), Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV); for animal transport, Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 Art. 17 para. 2, Animal Welfare Transport Ordinance (TierSchTrV) § 4).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

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• Dairy technologist

  Also: Milk intake operator

  With retraining

  In the dairy you receive milk, control systems for heating, separating and filling and produce cheese, yogurt or butter in consistent quality.

  What you bring:

  From dairy farming you know milk quality, milking hygiene and the importance of cooling and cleanliness.

  How to get there:

  You can retrain (Umschulung) as a dairy technologist (Milchtechnologe/Milchtechnologin). It usually takes 2 years and can often be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). After 4.5 years of work in a dairy, you can also be admitted to the final exam without training. Dairies also hire career changers, first with on-the-job training in production or milk intake. Work is in shifts, but indoors and with predictable hours.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €4,611gross per monthMedian salary

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• Gardener in landscape gardening

  With retrainingPromotion

  As a gardener in landscape gardening, you create and maintain gardens, paths and green spaces.

  What you bring:

  You like working outdoors, pitch in physically and can handle farm machinery.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as a gardener (Gärtner/in) specializing in landscape gardening (Garten- und Landschaftsbau) normally takes 3 years, and retraining usually about 2 years. Companies also first hire career changers as helpers and then support the training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLots of time outdoors

  €3,208gross 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.