Career change as a plasterer
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 2 with on-the-job training and 6 with training or a course.
In the job search you can sort by what matters to you, save jobs and see where they lead.
Career change paths
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Application technician for plaster and insulation systems
Also: Field technical advisor, drywall systems
With on-the-job training
At the manufacturer or building materials trade you advise plastering businesses, planners and dealers, train installers, show systems on the site and help with complaints.
- What you bring:
- You know from practice how plasters, boards, profiles and insulation materials are processed and where damage occurs in construction.
- How to get there:
- You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or dealer (Einarbeitung) with product training, usually for a few weeks to months. A journeyman certificate and driving license class B are generally expected, and for application technology often also the master qualification. Look for permanent employment, because as a self-employed sales agent you usually work only on commission.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people€5,550gross per monthMedian salary
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Caretaker
Also: Property caretaker
With on-the-job training
As a caretaker at housing companies, schools or businesses you keep buildings and grounds in good shape, do repairs and take care of technology and winter maintenance (snow clearing).
- What you bring:
- You can repair walls, ceilings and plaster damage properly and work cleanly and independently.
- How to get there:
- You get on-the-job training from the employer (Einarbeitung). Your journeyman certificate is an advantage there, and for heating and electrics, building services courses of a few weeks help. You work mostly in buildings and physically lighter than on the construction site, and on-call duty can come on top.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Physically demanding€3,260gross per monthMedian salary
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Master plasterer
Also: Foreman in interior finishing
With further trainingPromotion
As a master craftsperson (Meister) or foreman (Polier) you take measurements, calculate, plan material and crews, lead sites and check execution.
- What you bring:
- You know plaster, drywall, thermal insulation and stucco and know how substrates, material and drying times work together.
- How to get there:
- The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the plasterer trade takes about one year full-time and 2 to 3 years alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted with the journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief). For your own business you need the master qualification or an equivalent entitlement, because the plasterer trade requires a license.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demanding -
Building energy consultant
Also: State-certified construction technician
With further trainingPromotion
As an energy consultant or construction technician you assess buildings, plan renovations and insulation measures, issue energy performance certificates and accompany execution.
- What you bring:
- You know external thermal insulation systems, interior insulation, moisture and mold from practice and know where buildings lose heat.
- How to get there:
- You can take further training to become a building energy consultant at chambers of crafts and training providers, alongside work over several months, or go to the vocational college for construction technology (Fachschule für Bautechnik), which takes 2 years full-time and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You may issue energy performance certificates (Energieausweise) under § 88 of the Building Modernization Act (GModG) if you are a master in the plasterer trade or a technician with a suitable focus and show training in energy-saving construction.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people€5,500gross per monthMedian salary
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Expert for mold and moisture damage
Also: Claims adjuster for building damage
With further trainingPromotion
As an expert or claims adjuster you assess damage on site, measure moisture, clarify causes and write expert reports for insurers, courts or clients.
- What you bring:
- You recognize moisture damage, cracks, mold and execution errors in plaster, insulation and drywall and know how they are properly repaired.
- How to get there:
- This usually follows the master craftsperson exam and several years of work experience. Chambers of crafts and training providers offer courses for experts alongside work, for example for mold damage. Insurers give new adjusters on-the-job training themselves (Einarbeitung). To become publicly appointed and sworn, the chamber must first check your special expertise.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people -
Instructor in the plasterer trade
Also: Instructor at an inter-company training center
With further trainingPromotion
As an instructor you practice with trainees in the workshop and on the training site and prepare them for the journeyman exam.
- What you bring:
- You are skilled in plastering, drywall and stucco work in practice and can demonstrate and explain techniques well.
- How to get there:
- The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the plasterer trade also includes trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung). It takes about one year full-time and longer alongside work, and it can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Full-time instructor jobs exist, for example, at inter-company training centers of the construction industry and the plasterer trade.*Regulated by law (Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLittle customer contact€4,462gross per monthMedian salary
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Construction design technician
With retraining
As a construction design technician you create plans, details and quantities on the computer for architecture and engineering offices or construction firms.
- What you bring:
- You read floor plans, sections and detail plans and know how drywall, plaster and insulation are carried out on the site.
- How to get there:
- Retraining (Umschulung) as a construction design technician (Bautechnischer Konstrukteur/Bautechnische Konstrukteurin) usually takes about 2 years and can often be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Since August 2026 the occupation has replaced the former building drafter (Bauzeichner). The work is physically much lighter and takes place in the office, but you need to enjoy working at a screen.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an officeHome office possible€4,947gross per monthMedian salary
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Occupational safety specialist
Also: Safety specialist in construction
With further trainingPromotion
As an occupational safety specialist you advise construction and finishing businesses, assess hazards on construction sites and train the employees.
- What you bring:
- You know dust, noise, work on scaffolding and lifting heavy boards from your own experience and know how to protect yourself against them.
- How to get there:
- The requirement is generally the master craftsperson exam or a technician qualification followed by work experience. After that comes the training as an occupational safety specialist (Fachkraft für Arbeitssicherheit) at a statutory accident insurance fund (Berufsgenossenschaft), for example BG BAU. It runs alongside work in several stages, with in-person and self-study phases.*Regulated by law (Occupational Safety Act (ASiG) § 7, DGUV Regulation 2 § 4).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people€4,948gross per monthMedian salary
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs can I do as a plasterer without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Application technician for plaster and insulation systems and Caretaker.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a plasterer?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: Master plasterer, Building energy consultant, Expert for mold and moisture damage, Instructor in the plasterer trade, Construction design technician and Occupational safety specialist.
What promotion options do I have as a plasterer?
Promotions include, for example: Master plasterer, Building energy consultant, Expert for mold and moisture damage, Instructor in the plasterer trade and Occupational safety specialist.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Application technician for plaster and insulation systems (€5,550 gross per month), Building energy consultant (€5,500 gross per month) and Occupational safety specialist (€4,948 gross per month). Half of employees earn more, half earn less; when you start it is often lower. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), April 2025. No guarantee of accuracy.
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