Career change as a carpenter

Career change paths

• CAD designer in timber construction

  Also: Work planner in timber construction manufacturing

  With on-the-job training

  In work planning you draw structures on the computer, create parts lists and the data for joinery or CNC machines.

  What you bring:

  You read plans, think in components and joints and know what can be implemented in the workshop and on assembly.

  How to get there:

  Some timber construction, window and stair-building companies give experienced journeymen on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in work planning, with CAD software courses of a few weeks. With a master or technician qualification the chances are much better. The work takes place mostly in the office.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,947gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Set builder

  Also: Trade fair stand builder

  With on-the-job training

  In theater, film and television or trade fair construction you make and install sets, stage structures and trade fair stands, often under time pressure and with changing tasks.

  What you bring:

  You build cleanly, quickly and exactly from wood and panel materials, also from a drawing or sketch.

  How to get there:

  Theater workshops, film set outfitters and trade fair construction firms hire carpenters and joiners with a journeyman certificate (Gesellenbrief) and give them on-the-job training (Einarbeitung); photos of your own work help with the application. In trade fair construction, travel and night and weekend work are usual.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,987gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Caretaker

  Also: In-house craftsperson

  With on-the-job training

  As a caretaker or in-house craftsperson at housing companies, schools or hospitals you keep buildings in good shape and also take care of technology, grounds and winter maintenance (snow clearing).

  What you bring:

  You can repair and adjust doors, windows, floors and built-in furniture and work cleanly even in occupied rooms.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the employer (Einarbeitung). The journeyman certificate is an advantage, and for heating and electrics, building services courses of a few weeks help. The work is usually less strenuous than on the construction site, and on-call duty can come on top.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically demanding

  €3,260gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Field technical advisor, windows and doors

  Also: Application technician at a wood-based panel or hardware manufacturer

  With on-the-job training

  At the manufacturer or wholesaler you advise craft businesses and builders, present products and clear up complaints on site.

  What you bring:

  You know wood, wood-based materials and building elements from the workshop and assembly and know where problems arise during installation.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training from the manufacturer or wholesaler (Einarbeitung), usually a few weeks to months of product training. A journeyman certificate and driving license class B are generally expected. 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

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Prefab timber construction assembler

  Also: Employee in wall and ceiling production

  With on-the-job training

  In prefabricated house or timber element construction you produce walls, ceilings and roofs in the hall and put them up on the site in a short time.

  What you bring:

  You can cut, join and assemble to plan, and you know wood as a building material inside out.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training in the plant (Einarbeitung), usually for a few weeks; carpenters and joiners with a journeyman certificate bring the right foundation for it. Work in the hall is independent of weather and often easier to plan, while assembly on the construction site usually involves travel.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,883gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Master carpenter

  Also: Installation manager in timber construction

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a master craftsperson (Meister) or installation manager you plan assignments and material, lead the installation on the site and check execution.

  What you bring:

  You read workshop and installation plans, take measurements and fit timber components exactly, often in cooperation with other trades.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the carpentry or joinery 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 carpentry business you need the master qualification or an equivalent entitlement, because the carpentry trade requires a license.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLots of time outdoors
  View job

• State-certified construction technician

  Also: Building energy consultant

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a construction technician you plan components, prepare tenders and supervise execution; as an energy consultant you assess buildings for renovations.

  What you bring:

  You know timber structures, connections and components from installation practice and know what matters with dimensions and tolerances.

  How to get there:

  The vocational college for construction technology (Fachschule für Bautechnik), at some schools with a focus on timber construction, takes 2 years full-time or about 4 years alongside work and can be funded through Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Access is usually with a journeyman certificate and at least one year of work experience; the federal state sets the exact rules. With a master or technician qualification, further training to become a building energy consultant is also possible.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hours

  €5,500gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Instructor in the carpentry or joinery trade

  Also: Instructor at an inter-company training center

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an instructor you work with trainees in the workshop and in courses and prepare them for the journeyman exam.

  What you bring:

  You are skilled in wood joints, machines and installation in practice and can demonstrate techniques well.

  How to get there:

  The master craftsperson exam (Meisterprüfung) in the carpentry or joinery 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). You can take the exam with the journeyman certificate, but for instructor jobs companies and training centers usually expect several years of work experience.*Regulated by law (Crafts Code (HwO) § 22b).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

• Expert for the carpentry or joinery trade

  Also: Claims adjuster for building damage

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an expert or claims adjuster you assess damage on site, estimate the renovation effort and write expert reports for insurers, courts or clients.

  What you bring:

  You recognize moisture damage, pest infestation and execution errors in roof trusses, timber structures, stairs or windows and know how they are properly fixed.

  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 wood protection or timber construction. 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
  View job

• Occupational safety specialist

  Also: Safety specialist in construction

  With further trainingPromotion

  As an occupational safety specialist you advise businesses, assess hazards on construction sites and in workshops, investigate accidents and train the employees.

  What you bring:

  You know fall hazards, assembly at height, lifting gear and machines such as circular saws from your own experience.

  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 hours

  €4,948gross per monthMedian salary

  View job

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.