Career change as a PE teacher

Career change paths

• In-company trainer

  Also: Learning and development specialist

  With on-the-job training

  In companies or at training providers, you plan training sessions, develop learning programs and support employees in their development.

  What you bring:

  You can structure content well, lead groups and assess learning progress.

  How to get there:

  Companies and education providers also hire teachers and train them on the job in adult education and HR development, and a trainer or coaching certificate can help you get started. If you are a civil servant (verbeamtet), first clarify what leaving the civil service means for your pension.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• E-learning author

  Also: Instructional designer

  With on-the-job training

  As an e-learning author or instructional designer, you develop digital courses, learning videos and training programs for companies, publishers or education providers.

  What you bring:

  You know how to prepare learning material, set tasks and check learning results.

  How to get there:

  Companies and agencies train teachers on authoring tools and learning platforms. Courses on these usually take a few days to a few weeks. Some positions allow working from home.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €5,254gross per monthMedian salary

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• Specialist advisor in school supervision

  Also: Policy advisor at a state institute for school quality

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  In school supervision, a school office or a state institute, you advise schools, help develop curricula and further training, and support quality development.

  What you bring:

  You know teaching, curricula and school development from many years of practice.

  How to get there:

  Such positions are usually advertised internally for experienced teachers, often first as a secondment. The school administration of your state makes the selection. You then teach little or not at all.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €7,050gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of an adult education center (Volkshochschule)

  Also: Department head in adult education

  With on-the-job training

  At adult education centers (Volkshochschulen) or training providers, you plan the course offering, recruit lecturers and are responsible for quality and budget.

  What you bring:

  You know learning processes, lesson planning and organization and have experience with groups and teaching staffs.

  How to get there:

  Adult education centers and training providers advertise such positions publicly, and experience in organization and leadership is important. You learn funding law and administration on the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €5,151gross per monthMedian salary

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• Career advisor

  Also: Study advisor

  With on-the-job training

  As a career or study advisor at the Federal Employment Agency or a university, you advise young people and adults on decisions about training, study and career.

  What you bring:

  You have supported young people in choosing a career and know school qualifications, training paths and degree programs.

  How to get there:

  The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) also hires university graduates with counseling experience as career changers and qualifies them in-house for career guidance. Universities usually advertise positions in study counseling publicly.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,521gross per monthMedian salary

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• Museum educator

  Also: Education officer at a memorial site

  With on-the-job training

  In museums, memorial sites or science centers, you develop tours, workshops and materials for schools and families.

  What you bring:

  You can present content to school classes and groups in a lively way and know the curricula exactly.

  How to get there:

  Museums and memorial sites often hire teachers with a suitable subject, such as history, art or biology, or first commission them on a freelance basis. When you apply, ask whether the position is fixed-term.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people
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• Editor at an education publisher

  Also: Textbook editor (Lektor)

  With on-the-job training

  At an education publisher, you plan textbooks and digital learning media, support author teams and check that the content matches the curricula.

  What you bring:

  You know from teaching which tasks, texts and materials work and which do not.

  How to get there:

  Education publishers hire teachers directly as editors, sometimes after a traineeship (Volontariat). First experience as a textbook author helps with your application.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €4,237gross per monthMedian salary

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• Care worker in the open all-day school program

  Also: Exercise leader for sports activities at schools

  With on-the-job training

  In all-day care at primary schools you look after children after lessons, supervise homework and lead sports and movement activities.

  What you bring:

  You can motivate children, enforce rules and lead groups confidently.

  How to get there:

  School authorities, independent providers and sports clubs hire people with an exercise leader or coach license (Übungsleiter- oder Trainerlizenz) and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). An extended police clearance certificate (erweitertes Führungszeugnis) is mandatory. There are also part-time positions.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people

  €3,340gross per monthMedian salary

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• Event manager for sports events

  Also: Event coordinator

  With on-the-job training

  As an event coordinator you plan sports events, running events or company parties, take care of permits, service providers and the schedule, and are the contact person on the day of the event.

  What you bring:

  You have organized tournaments, competitions or training camps and know clubs, federations and volunteers.

  How to get there:

  Agencies, federations and organizers give you on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the company. They expect organizational talent and confident use of the computer. If you want a qualification of your own, you can do 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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• Fitness trainer

  Also: Exercise leader in rehabilitation sports

  With on-the-job training

  In a gym, in rehabilitation facilities or in workplace health promotion you look after members and course groups, and you often work more regular hours than in club sports.

  What you bring:

  You can create training plans, correct movements and keep people motivated over the long term.

  How to get there:

  Gyms and rehabilitation providers usually expect a coaching license, which you can earn in courses of a few weekends at federations or private academies. For rehabilitation sports you need a separate exercise leader license for sports in rehabilitation, which sports federations such as the German Disabled Sports Association (Deutscher Behindertensportverband) and its state associations issue. You can also do vocational training (Ausbildung) as sports and fitness clerk (Sport- und Fitnesskaufmann).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €2,910gross per monthMedian salary

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• Teacher in integration courses

  Also: Teacher of German as a second language

  With further training

  In integration and vocational language courses, you teach adults who learn German for everyday life and work.

  What you bring:

  You can teach language systematically and lead learning groups with very different prior knowledge.

  How to get there:

  For integration courses, you need approval from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bundesamt für Migration und Flüchtlinge). Without a degree in German as a foreign or second language, you usually only get it after an additional qualification that takes a few weeks to a few months. You work on a freelance basis or as an employee of a course provider.*Regulated by law (Integration Course Ordinance (IntV) § 15).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,890gross per monthMedian salary

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• Manager of a fitness or sports studio

  Also: Club manager

  With further trainingPromotion

  As studio manager or club manager you plan courses and staff, take care of member recruitment, billing and facilities, and negotiate with municipalities and partners.

  What you bring:

  You know training, coaching teams, members and the operation of sports facilities from hands-on experience.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified senior sports specialist (Sportfachwirt) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The duration depends on the provider, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Depending on your prior education, you are admitted with vocational training and work experience, or with at least four years of work experience, and voluntary work is taken into account.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsLots of contact with people

  €3,740gross per monthMedian salary

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• Swimming pool operations specialist (Fachangestellter für Bäderbetriebe)

  Also: Lifeguard at a swimming pool

  With retraining

  At the swimming pool you ensure the safety of bathers, give swimming courses and look after water treatment and technology.

  What you bring:

  You swim confidently, can lead groups and keep track of things when many people are exercising at the same time.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) or vocational training (Ausbildung) as swimming pool operations specialist (Fachangestellter für Bäderbetriebe). Retraining usually takes about two years, and regular vocational training takes three. You get started faster with the German Lifesaving Badge in silver (Deutsches Rettungsschwimmabzeichen in Silber) and an introduction as a lifeguard in seasonal jobs.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,548gross per monthMedian salary

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• Early childhood educator (Erzieher)

  Also: Early childhood educator with a focus on movement

  With further training

  As an early childhood educator (Erzieher) in a daycare center (Kita), after-school care center (Hort) or all-day school you look after children in everyday life, plan movement and play activities, and support their development.

  What you bring:

  You can get children moving, lead groups and talk well with parents.

  How to get there:

  You do vocational college training (Fachschulausbildung) under state law. Full-time it usually takes three years including practice phases, and depending on the state, it is also offered practice-integrated with pay. Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications) is possible. You usually need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss) and completed vocational training or longer work experience. Each state regulates the details itself.*Regulated by law (State law: state recognition under each state's vocational college regulations).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,995gross per monthMedian salary

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• Masseur and medical bath attendant

  With further training

  As a masseur and medical bath attendant you treat patients on a doctor's prescription with massages, lymphatic drainage, baths and heat treatments, often including athletes.

  What you bring:

  You know muscles, movement patterns and sports injuries, and you enjoy working directly with people.

  How to get there:

  You train at a state-recognized school: two years of training ending with a state exam, followed by six months of practical work in a hospital or another medical facility. You need a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) or completed vocational training lasting at least one year. Depending on the state and school, tuition fees may apply.*Regulated by law (Masseurs and Physiotherapists Act (MPhG) §§ 1, 4, 5).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLots of contact with people

  €3,435gross per monthMedian salary

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• Driving instructor

  With further training

  As a driving instructor you give theory lessons and driving lessons and prepare learner drivers for the exam.

  What you bring:

  You can teach people new skills, recognize progress and stay calm even in tricky moments.

  How to get there:

  You train at a recognized driving instructor training school (Fahrlehrerausbildungsstätte) with an internship at a training driving school. For class BE this takes at least 12 months, and then you take an exam. The authority then issues the driving instructor license. Requirements include a minimum age of 21, a class B driving license held for at least three years and completed vocational training or equivalent prior education.*Regulated by law (Driving Instructor Act (FahrlG) §§ 1, 2, 7).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €3,977gross 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.