Career change as an administrative employee

Career change paths

• Accounts payable accountant

  Also: Accounts receivable accountant, Invoicing clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In accounting, exactly this part of your work becomes the main focus.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with invoices, receipts and office software, and you know the processes in the company.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in accounting, often supplemented by a financial accounting course that includes accounting software. The course usually takes a few weeks to a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Payroll accountant

  Also: Payroll clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In payroll accounting, this accuracy and discretion are the core of the work.

  What you bring:

  You handle confidential data carefully, work to deadlines and use office software confidently.

  How to get there:

  Take a payroll course at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or a training provider. It usually takes a few months. You also get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the payroll software.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the HR department, you also deal with employment contracts, vacation, sick notes and applications.

  What you bring:

  You manage files, prepare letters from templates and handle data confidentially.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the HR department, often supplemented by an HR administration course lasting a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,513gross per monthMedian salary

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• Executive assistant to the managing director

  Also: Management assistant

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As an assistant to the management you also take on projects, minutes and the preparation of meetings.

  What you bring:

  You organize appointments, mail, filing and communication reliably and know what has to stay confidential.

  How to get there:

  You get there with a few years of office experience, via an internal application or a change of employer. Alongside your job, the further training course for certified senior specialist for office and project organization (Fachwirt für Büro- und Projektorganisation) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) helps. It usually takes one to two years and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €3,810gross per monthMedian salary

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• Doctor's secretary

  Also: Medical secretary, Ward secretary

  With on-the-job training

  In the secretariat of a clinic or practice, you also deal with medical terms, doctors' letters and billing.

  What you bring:

  You write letters, organize appointments and files, and stay friendly on the phone.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the clinic or practice. A course on medical terminology and billing, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, makes entry easier.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €3,270gross per monthMedian salary

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• Citizens' office clerk

  Also: Vehicle registration office clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the citizens' office or the registration office you process applications for ID cards, registrations or vehicles.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with forms, data and regulations, and you explain processes to customers in a friendly and clear way.

  How to get there:

  Some municipalities hire office staff for the citizens' office or the registration office and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Often, however, administrative training is expected, or administrative course I (Verwaltungslehrgang I) is required after hiring. What exactly applies is stated in the job ad.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,822gross per monthMedian salary

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• Purchasing clerk

  Also: Purchasing planner

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you also compare prices, negotiate terms and keep an eye on delivery dates.

  What you bring:

  You collect quotes, write orders, check invoices and keep in contact with suppliers.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in purchasing, often starting as a clerk. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing and logistics at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Property manager

  Also: Clerk in property management

  With on-the-job training

  In property management, you also deal with tenant questions, utility bill statements and orders to craftspeople.

  What you bring:

  You write letters to customers, manage files and payments, and keep deadlines in view.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in a property management firm, often starting as an assistant. If you work directly on managing apartments, you must take legally required further training: 20 hours in three years. Later you can take the exam for certified property manager at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or the further training course for certified senior real estate specialist (Immobilienfachwirt). If you become a self-employed property manager, you need a permit under § 34c GewO.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,940gross per monthMedian salary

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• Staffing coordinator

  Also: Temporary staffing consultant

  With on-the-job training

  In staffing coordination you plan employee assignments at client companies, conduct job interviews and stay in contact with both sides.

  What you bring:

  You make many phone calls, organize appointments and keep data clean.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a temporary staffing or personnel services provider, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €4,046gross per monthMedian salary

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• Law firm secretary

  Also: Paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte)

  With on-the-job training

  In law firms and notary offices, you also handle written submissions, deadline monitoring, client contact and law firm software.

  What you bring:

  You write letters confidently, keep files and appointments, and work precisely with deadlines.

  How to get there:

  Law firms also hire office staff as secretaries and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). You pick up knowledge of the respective field of law in everyday work. You can earn a recognized qualification through retraining (Umschulung) as paralegal (Rechtsanwaltsfachangestellte), which usually takes about two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €3,421gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clerk at a health insurance fund

  Also: Customer adviser in social insurance

  With on-the-job training

  At health insurance funds, pension insurance or accident insurance providers you check applications for benefits, process contributions and advise insured people.

  What you bring:

  You process applications, maintain data, keep deadlines and patiently explain to customers what is missing.

  How to get there:

  Some health insurance funds and insurance providers hire office staff with commercial training and train them in-house, often with courses over several months. Others, however, expect vocational training (Ausbildung) as social insurance specialist (Sozialversicherungsfachangestellte) or offer it themselves. The job ad states what applies.*

  * 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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• Financial accountant

  Also: Balance sheet accountant

  With further trainingPromotion

  You already bring care with figures and deadlines from your office work.

  What you bring:

  With a commercial foundation and experience in accounting, you can prepare monthly and annual closings and take over tax topics.

  How to get there:

  First gain experience in accounting, then take the further training course for certified balance sheet accountant (Bilanzbuchhalter) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes about two years alongside a job and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). You are admitted to the exam with completed three-year commercial vocational training (Ausbildung). Without it you need at least five years of work experience, mainly in finance and accounting.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• IT support specialist

  Also: IT specialist for system integration

  With retraining

  In IT support you help colleagues with software, devices and access.

  What you bring:

  You work with office software every day, know the typical problems users have, and explain patiently.

  How to get there:

  You can do retraining (Umschulung) as IT specialist for system integration (Fachinformatiker für Systemintegration), which usually takes two years and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,400gross per monthMedian salary

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• Certified administrative specialist (Verwaltungsfachwirt)

  Also: Section head in the municipal administration

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a certified administrative specialist you take on more demanding casework or lead a section, prepare decisions and council papers, and lead a small team.

  What you bring:

  You know administrative procedures, budget law and municipal law, and you know how to produce legally sound notices.

  How to get there:

  You take the further training to become a certified administrative specialist (Verwaltungsfachwirt), which is often called administrative course for employees II (Angestelltenlehrgang II) in the collective pay area, at study institutes or administration academies. It usually takes two to three years alongside a job. Admission, duration and name are regulated differently by the states and study institutes. You usually need vocational training as administrative specialist (Verwaltungsfachangestellte) or administrative course for employees I (Angestelltenlehrgang I) and often some years of work experience. In some cases, employers select the participants themselves and release them from work for the classes.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €5,034gross per monthMedian salary

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• HR officer

  Also: Certified HR specialist (Personalfachkaufmann)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an HR officer you support employees from hiring to departure, run selection procedures, advise managers and help shape personnel development.

  What you bring:

  You know personnel management, collective agreement law and staffing plans from training and administration, and you handle personnel data confidentially.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your job, you can take the further training course for certified HR specialist (Personalfachkaufmann) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). It usually takes one and a half to two years and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). With a vocational qualification in an administrative occupation you are admitted after two years of HR-related work experience, and by the last part of the exam you also need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung). In the public service, the certified administrative specialist (Verwaltungsfachwirt) also leads into the HR department.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,147gross 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.