Career change as a watchmaker
With your experience you can switch to 8 jobs in Germany: 3 with on-the-job training and 5 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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Metrology technician for coordinate measuring technology
Also: Quality inspector in precision manufacturing
With on-the-job training
In the measuring room you program and operate coordinate measuring machines, check first articles and series parts, create measurement reports and give feedback to production.
- What you bring:
- You measure with the finest tolerances every day and quickly recognize when a part is not right.
- How to get there:
- Companies give precision mechanics on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in measuring devices and software, and manufacturer courses in coordinate measuring technology take a few days to weeks. The work takes place mostly in the air-conditioned measuring room.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact€4,159gross per monthMedian salary
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Medical technology employee in a hospital
Also: Service technician for medical devices
With on-the-job training
In the medical technology of a hospital or at service companies you service and repair devices and instruments, carry out inspections and document them.
- What you bring:
- You know precision instruments, their care and typical damage and work carefully according to regulations.
- How to get there:
- Hospitals and service companies give precision mechanics and surgical instrument mechanics on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), usually with manufacturer courses of a few days to weeks. For active devices with electronics you need electrotechnical knowledge, which you can gain through additional courses.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€4,035gross per monthMedian salary
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CNC setter
Also: CAM programmer
With on-the-job training
As a CNC setter or CAM programmer you create and optimize programs, set up machines and make sure series run precisely.
- What you bring:
- You know clamping devices, tools and tolerances and have worked on turning and milling machines yourself.
- How to get there:
- Companies give you on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) on their controls, and courses in CNC programming and CAM at training providers take a few weeks to months. In series production, shift work can be part of the job.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsShift workLittle customer contact€3,923gross per monthMedian salary
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State-certified technician in mechanical engineering
Also: Design technician, precision engineering
With further trainingPromotion
As a technician you design and improve components and fixtures, plan production processes and look after projects between development and workshop.
- What you bring:
- You work to the micrometer, know materials, manufacturing processes and fits and read technical drawings confidently.
- How to get there:
- The vocational college for technology (Fachschule für Technik), specialization in mechanical engineering or precision engineering (Feinwerktechnik), takes 2 years full-time or usually 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). The requirement is usually suitable vocational training and at least one year of work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact -
Certified industrial foreman, metal
Also: Production foreman in medical technology
With further trainingPromotion
As a master craftsperson (Meister) you lead a production department, plan jobs and staff, ensure quality and train new staff.
- What you bring:
- You know precision manufacturing, quality requirements and inspection procedures and can guide colleagues professionally.
- How to get there:
- You take further training as a certified industrial foreman, metal (Industriemeister Metall), at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), or the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the precision mechanic trade (Feinwerkmechaniker-Handwerk). Both usually take 2 to 3 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted to the master craftsperson exam with the journeyman exam, and to the industrial foreman exam with a vocational qualification and work experience.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Shift workLittle customer contact€5,639gross per monthMedian salary
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Orthopedic technician
Also: Dental technician
With retraining
In orthopedic or dental technology you make and fit prostheses, orthoses or dentures and often work directly with patients or practices.
- What you bring:
- You have fine motor skills and work very precisely with metal, plastic and precision tools.
- How to get there:
- Vocational training (Ausbildung) or retraining (Umschulung) as an orthopedic technician (Orthopädietechnik-Mechaniker/Orthopädietechnik-Mechanikerin) or dental technician (Zahntechniker/Zahntechnikerin) normally takes several years, and it is often shortened with prior knowledge; the Chamber of Crafts (Handwerkskammer) decides on a shortening.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLots of contact with people€2,953gross per monthMedian salary
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CAD designer
Also: Technical product designer
With retraining
As a CAD designer you draw components and assemblies in 3D, create production drawings and parts lists and coordinate with development and production.
- What you bring:
- You understand drawings, tolerances and manufacturing processes from the workshop and know what can really be made.
- How to get there:
- Retraining (Umschulung) as a technical product designer (Technischer Produktdesigner/Technische Produktdesignerin) usually takes a good 2 years and can often be funded with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Some companies also train experienced precision mechanics directly into design after CAD courses of a few weeks.*
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office€3,821gross per monthMedian salary
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Instructor for precision mechanics
Also: Instructor in a training workshop
With further trainingPromotion
As an instructor in a training workshop you plan exercises, look after trainees and prepare them for the intermediate and final exams.
- What you bring:
- You are skilled in filing, turning, milling and measuring and can demonstrate techniques patiently.
- How to get there:
- You need trainer aptitude (Ausbildereignung) under AEVO, which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or Chamber of Crafts; it is included in the master qualification, and preparation courses are optional. In the precision mechanic trade, which requires a license, you generally need the master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) to train apprentices. Full-time jobs exist mainly in training workshops of larger companies and in training centers.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).
* No guarantee of accuracy.
Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursLittle customer contact€4,462gross 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 watchmaker without vocational training or retraining?
Without a new qualification, often with on-the-job training: Metrology technician for coordinate measuring technology, Medical technology employee in a hospital and CNC setter.
Which retraining or further training suits me as a watchmaker?
With vocational training, retraining, further training or a course: State-certified technician in mechanical engineering, Certified industrial foreman, metal, Orthopedic technician, CAD designer and Instructor for precision mechanics.
What promotion options do I have as a watchmaker?
Promotions include, for example: State-certified technician in mechanical engineering, Certified industrial foreman, metal and Instructor for precision mechanics.
Which of these jobs pay the most?
According to official statistics, the highest median full-time salaries are: Certified industrial foreman, metal (€5,639 gross per month), Instructor for precision mechanics (€4,462 gross per month) and Metrology technician for coordinate measuring technology (€4,159 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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