Career change as a public administration clerk

Career change paths

• Specialist software support officer

  Also: IT coordinator in public administration

  With on-the-job training

  As a specialist software support officer you set up specialist software, test updates, train colleagues and help with faults and with the digitalization of processes.

  What you bring:

  You know the specialist software, processes and typical problems in the offices from your own work, and you can mediate between casework and technology.

  How to get there:

  Municipalities, state authorities and municipal IT service providers like to fill such jobs with administrative staff and give them a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), often with training from the software vendors. You can add IT basics through courses. For jobs in network or system support, a vocational qualification in IT is usually expected.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €5,516gross per monthMedian salary

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• Funding manager

  Also: Clerk for third-party funding administration

  With on-the-job training

  As a funding manager at universities, associations, social organizations or companies you apply for and manage funding, monitor expenses and prepare proof of use of funds.

  What you bring:

  You know budget law, notices and the checking of receipts, and you work precisely with deadlines and proofs.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the employer, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months. Administration academies and training providers offer seminars on grant law and funding programs, usually lasting a few days. Jobs are often tied to projects and therefore fixed-term, while universities and large organizations also have permanent positions.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €4,010gross per monthMedian salary

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• Procurement clerk

  Also: Bid manager for public tenders

  With on-the-job training

  In a central procurement office you prepare tenders and evaluate bids; in companies you prepare bids for public contracts and check tender documents.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with legal regulations, deadlines and formal requirements, and you know how authorities decide and document.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the procurement office or in bid management, usually lasting a few months. Administration academies, chambers and training providers offer courses on procurement law, often as certificate courses lasting several weeks alongside a job. There are jobs for procurement specialists at authorities and at companies that regularly work for the public sector.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Clerk at a health insurance fund

  Also: Benefits clerk at a pension insurance provider

  With on-the-job training

  You check applications according to the law and administrative procedure, issue notices and explain clearly to citizens what they have to do. At health insurance funds, pension insurance or accident insurance providers you process benefit applications, contributions or insurance relationships and advise insured people.

  How to get there:

  Social insurance providers hire administrative specialists (Verwaltungsfachangestellte) and train them in-house, often with courses over several months, and you already know the principles of administrative procedure. Some providers expect the vocational training (Ausbildung) as social insurance specialist (Sozialversicherungsfachangestellte). 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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• Job placement officer at a Jobcenter

  Also: Integration specialist

  With on-the-job training

  As a job placement officer at the Jobcenter you advise jobseekers, agree on goals, place people in jobs, further training and support programs, and work with employers.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with laws and notices and stay objective even in difficult conversations with citizens.

  How to get there:

  Jobcenters hire administrative staff and train them in-house over several months in conversation skills, counseling and labor market law. For some jobs a university degree is preferred. Resilience and enjoying counseling matter more than prior knowledge of the labor market.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

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

  €5,226gross per monthMedian salary

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• Immigration office clerk

  Also: Naturalization clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In the immigration or naturalization authority you check applications for residence permits or naturalization, advise applicants and issue notices.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with laws, discretionary decisions and notices and can explain procedures clearly.

  How to get there:

  You can switch within the administration or to another authority, with a few weeks to a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), plus further training on residence and nationality law. Depending on the location, immigration offices are looking for staff. The work is legally demanding and often comes with a high caseload.*

  * 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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• 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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• 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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• 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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• Registrar (Standesbeamter)

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a registrar you record births, deaths and marriages, check marriage requirements and name matters, and conduct wedding ceremonies.

  What you bring:

  You are confident with legal regulations, registers and certificates and treat citizens in a friendly way even in emotional situations.

  How to get there:

  The municipality appoints you as registrar. Under the Civil Status Act this is only possible if your training and personality are suitable. The states usually require administrative training for this, plus specialist courses in civil status matters lasting a few weeks, which you usually attend alongside the job after moving to the registry office (Standesamt).*Regulated by law (Civil Status Act (PStG) § 2 para. 3; implementing regulations of the states).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn 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.