Career change as an expert appraiser

Career change paths

• Head of development

  Also: Team leader, research and development

  Start right awayPromotion

  As head of a development department, you steer teams, budgets and project portfolios.

  What you bring:

  You have professionally run development projects and know requirements, tests and approval.

  How to get there:

  You usually make this step internally after some years as a project or team leader. Leadership seminars and experience in project management help.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €9,800gross per monthMedian salary

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• Underwriter in property insurance

  Also: Risk assessor for commercial and building insurance

  With on-the-job training

  As an underwriter, you check risks before a contract is signed, inspect businesses, set conditions and premiums and advise sales and brokers.

  What you bring:

  You know from claims practice which buildings, businesses and risks can become expensive.

  How to get there:

  Insurers also fill such positions with experienced people from the claims department and train them over a few months, often with internal training. Training as an insurance and financial investment clerk (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Versicherungen und Finanzanlagen) or the upgrading qualification Bachelor Professional in Insurance and Financial Investments (Bachelor Professional in Versicherungen und Finanzanlagen) helps you make the move.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €5,261gross per monthMedian salary

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• Construction financing lending officer

  Also: Collateral case officer

  With on-the-job training

  At a bank or building society, you check loan applications, assess collateral and prepare lending decisions.

  What you bring:

  You can value real estate and tangible assets, check documents and assess risks realistically.

  How to get there:

  Banks and building societies train people with valuation experience over a few months in lending processes and systems, and commercial training is usually expected. To advise on real estate loans, the Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz) additionally requires appropriate specialist knowledge, which you can gain, for example, through training at the bank.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,219gross per monthMedian salary

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• Real estate agent

  Also: Property manager

  With on-the-job training

  As an agent or manager, you value properties, market or look after them and hold conversations with owners, prospective buyers and tenants.

  What you bring:

  You know locations, building fabric and market values and can tell owners honestly what a property is worth.

  How to get there:

  Estate agencies and property management companies train you over a few months, and an upgrading course for certified real estate senior specialist (Geprüfter Immobilienfachwirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) is possible alongside work. If you broker independently or manage residential property, you need a permit under § 34c of the Trade Regulation Act (Gewerbeordnung), and property managers must also take regular further training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

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• Case officer in statutory accident insurance

  Also: Benefits case officer at a health insurance fund

  With on-the-job training

  At statutory accident insurance institutions (Berufsgenossenschaften), accident funds or health insurance funds, you process benefit cases, clarify claims and coordinate with doctors, employers and insured persons.

  What you bring:

  You can check cases carefully, evaluate documents and expert reports and give clear reasons for your decisions.

  How to get there:

  Social insurance institutions hire career changers with commercial training and train them in internal courses whose duration depends on the institution. The positions are covered by collective agreements and usually have fixed office hours.*

  * 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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• Case officer in the office of a property valuation committee (Gutachterausschuss)

  Also: Enforcement officer of a municipal treasury (Vollziehungsbeamte/r)

  With on-the-job training

  In the administration, you evaluate purchase contracts and maintain standard land values for the property valuation committee, or, as an enforcement officer, you collect the municipality's outstanding claims.

  What you bring:

  You can determine values, classify purchase prices and document precisely.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities and counties hire employees under a collective pay agreement (Tarif) with valuation or enforcement experience and train them, often with courses at administrative schools. For enforcement service, some municipalities require training or a course of their own, and each federal state regulates this itself.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €3,822gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staff member at an auction house

  Also: Specialist consultant in precious metal and jewelry purchasing

  With on-the-job training

  At auction houses or in purchasing, you take in pieces, appraise and describe them and advise consignors and prospective buyers.

  What you bring:

  If you value jewelry, gemstones, art or tangible assets, you know authenticity features, market prices and condition assessment.

  How to get there:

  Auction houses and purchasing businesses train people with valuation experience on the job. Anyone who wants to auction commercially needs a permit under § 34b of the Trade Regulation Act (GewO).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,418gross per monthMedian salary

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• Receivables management case officer

  Also: Dunning case officer

  With on-the-job training

  In the receivables management of companies, utilities or debt collection service providers, you clarify outstanding claims, agree on installment payments and initiate legal steps.

  What you bring:

  You know dunning and enforcement procedures, insolvencies and how to handle difficult conversations.

  How to get there:

  Companies and service providers train you over a few weeks in software and procedures. Commercial training is usually expected. The work is in the office, often also possible from home.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €4,278gross per monthMedian salary

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• Sales engineer

  Also: Key account manager, technology

  With on-the-job training

  In technical sales, you clarify requirements, prepare quotes and support projects through to acceptance.

  What you bring:

  You understand technical products in detail and can advise customers as an equal.

  How to get there:

  Manufacturers give engineers product and sales training over a few weeks to a few months. Expect travel and sales targets.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €6,758gross per monthMedian salary

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• Technical management consultant

  Also: Lean manager

  With on-the-job training

  In consultancies or internal teams, you improve processes, costs and quality in companies.

  What you bring:

  You know development, manufacturing or energy technology and can combine technical and business questions.

  How to get there:

  Technical consultancies hire experienced engineers and train them in methods such as lean or project management. You can earn certificates for these in courses lasting a few days to a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €6,768gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality manager

  Also: Process engineer in manufacturing

  With on-the-job training

  In manufacturing, you ensure quality, improve processes and support audits at customers and suppliers.

  What you bring:

  You know test methods, standards and technical processes and like working in a structured way.

  How to get there:

  Industrial companies train engineers from different fields on the job in their manufacturing and quality systems. Courses to become a quality manager usually take a few weeks.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically light

  €5,017gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR officer specializing in employment law

  Also: HR business partner

  With on-the-job training

  In HR, you advise managers on employment contracts, dismissals and works agreements (Betriebsvereinbarungen) and negotiate with the works council (Betriebsrat).

  What you bring:

  You know employment law, contracts and negotiations and work carefully.

  How to get there:

  Companies also hire lawyers for HR roles. You learn HR processes and payroll questions during on-the-job training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,769gross per monthMedian salary

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• Ministry policy officer

  Also: Policy officer of a parliamentary group

  With on-the-job training

  As a policy officer in a ministry, state parliament or parliamentary group, you prepare legislative projects, write briefing papers and advise members of parliament or the ministry's leadership.

  What you bring:

  You can read laws, draft texts and assess their consequences.

  How to get there:

  For the higher civil service (höherer Dienst), ministries usually hire fully qualified lawyers (Volljuristen) or applicants with a master's degree; parliamentary groups and members of parliament are more flexible. You receive on-the-job training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €6,457gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of a legal office

  Also: Head of department (Dezernent) in a state authority

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As head of a legal office or head of department (Dezernent), you lead a team and are responsible for decisions, objection proceedings and court cases.

  What you bring:

  You know administrative law, procedures and the work of government agencies.

  How to get there:

  Depending on the management position in the higher civil service (höherer Verwaltungsdienst), the states and municipalities require both state law exams. After a few years as a desk officer or section head, you can move up.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €9,455gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lecturer at a university of applied sciences for public administration

  Also: Lecturer for special tasks (Lehrkraft für besondere Aufgaben) in law

  With on-the-job training

  At administrative universities, universities of applied sciences or academies, you teach law to future civil servants (Beamte), business lawyers or certified senior specialists (Fachwirte).

  What you bring:

  You can explain areas of law in a structured way and prepare cases with practical relevance.

  How to get there:

  Administrative universities and universities of applied sciences hire lawyers with practical experience as lecturers or lecturers for special tasks. For professorships, a doctorate (Promotion) is usually needed. Teaching assignments alongside your job are a good way in.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €6,119gross per monthMedian salary

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• Managing director of an association

  Also: Managing director of a chamber

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As managing director, you represent the members' interests to politicians and government agencies and run the head office.

  What you bring:

  Associations and chambers combine law, position papers and committee work, which you know from your work.

  How to get there:

  The route often leads through a position as desk officer or in-house counsel (Justiziar) in the association. Management positions are filled through job postings or recruitment firms.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €6,815gross per monthMedian salary

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• Claims team lead

  Also: Head of a claims department

  With further trainingPromotion

  As team lead, you distribute cases, help decide on high or disputed claims, train new colleagues and watch quality and processing times.

  What you bring:

  You know claims cases, coverage questions, expert reports and settlement paths from many years of practice.

  How to get there:

  You usually get leadership tasks after several years in claims settlement and an upgrading qualification as Bachelor Professional in Insurance and Financial Investments (Bachelor Professional in Versicherungen und Finanzanlagen) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), taken alongside work; the duration depends on the provider. The course is eligible for funding through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €8,030gross per monthMedian salary

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• Occupational safety specialist

  Also: Safety engineer

  With a degree

  As an occupational safety specialist, you advise companies, prepare risk assessments and train employees.

  What you bring:

  You can assess technical risks and know standards, inspections and plants from practice.

  How to get there:

  After your engineering degree and work experience, you gain the safety engineering expertise (sicherheitstechnische Fachkunde) in training at statutory accident insurance bodies or recognized providers, usually lasting one to two years alongside work. After that, you work as an employee in a company or at a service provider, or freelance.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,574gross per monthMedian salary

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• Teacher of electrical or metal technology at a vocational school

  Also: Teacher at a technical school

  With a degree

  You teach apprentices and future technicians in theory and lab work.

  What you bring:

  You bring expertise from industry that you can pass on in technical subjects at vocational schools.

  How to get there:

  Depending on the state, engineers with a master's or Diplom degree are admitted through the alternative route into teaching (Seiteneinstieg), with a preparatory service (Vorbereitungsdienst) alongside work, usually lasting 18 to 24 months. Each state regulates which fields are 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 hoursLittle customer contact

  €5,140gross per monthMedian salary

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• Tax adviser

  Also: Tax adviser for corporate tax law

  With further training

  As a tax adviser (Steuerberater), you advise companies and private individuals, prepare returns and represent clients before the tax office (Finanzamt).

  What you bring:

  You can interpret laws precisely and solve complex cases in a structured way, and tax law is a legal field.

  How to get there:

  With a law degree, you are admitted to the tax adviser exam (Steuerberaterprüfung) once you have worked in tax matters for two or three years after your degree, depending on the standard length of your degree program. You usually prepare for the exam in courses alongside work, and the length depends on the provider.*Regulated by law (Tax Advisory Act (StBerG) §§ 35, 36).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €7,924gross 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.