12 Top Most Common Jobs in Germany
Are you wondering what most Germans do professionally? Job trends change yearly depending on the number of socioeconomic conditions. Moreover, the world is getting more digitalized; hence, many professionals in Germany switch from offline to online mode. At the moment following professions are hot on the German job market.
The most common jobs in Germany are:
- Data Scientist
- Product Manager
- Software Developer
- Controlling
- Engineer
- Data Analyst
- UX-Designer
- Account Manager
- HR Manager
- Key Account Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Salesman
In 2020, the pandemic also made changes to the job situation in Germany. Professions with the opportunity to work remotely have become more popular. In this article, you will learn which jobs are currently most common and widespread in Germany. We also reveal the number of vacancies and the average salary for each of them.
Also read: High-paid jobs without a university degree in Germany.
Top Most Common Jobs in Germany in 2022
1. Data Scientist
The term data scientist includes several professionals, but they all work with some data. For example, computer scientists or statisticians are among those.
Many data scientists have similar tasks to data analysts mentioned later in the article. They collect, analyze data, and give recommendations to the company based on the results.
How to become a data scientist?
Academic education is usually needed for the job as a data scientist. In Germany, you can complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree in one of those subjects:
- Data Science
- Business Analytics
- Computer Science
- Business Informatics
- Statistics
- Mathematics
- IT Engineering
- Business Administration
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 2,500
Average annual base salary: ~ 60,000 EUR
Also read: High Demand Jobs in Germany 2022.
2. Product Manager
The popularity of product managers can also be explained by the large manufacturing industry in Germany. Indeed, there are so many products to manage!
Working as a product manager entails planning, management, and control of the products or services. They are the man between marketing, sales, manufacturing & development.
How to become a product manager?
There is no specific training or university program for product managers. Usually, people come to that position with years of experience and through further training on the job.
One can start a career already with vocational training in sales and work their way up. Otherwise, a bachelor’s degree focusing on management or IT is a good option.
But to become a product manager, you will need some years of experience anyway.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 9,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 71,000 EUR
Which university course is the best for getting a job after the university in Germany? Read in this article!
How much will you earn in Germany?
3. Software Developer
You probably already know that software developers are needed all over the world. The job of the software developer is quite diverse. Some build and maintain systems that run devices and networks, and others develop applications.
Hence, a software developer is an IT specialist who designs and implements software tailored to the requirements and needs of customers or users.
They can use various programming languages such as Java, C++, or Ruby on Rails.
How to become a software developer?
Interestingly enough that in Germany, one can finish vocational training to become a software engineer. Besides that, the classical way is to complete a bachelor’s degree in software engineering or computer science.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 6,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 58,000 EUR
Don’t miss the post about HOW TO GET A JOB AS A SOFTWARE ENGINEER IN GERMANY.
4. Controlling
Controlling is a part of accounting that belongs to very common job fields in Germany. The controller oversees the accounting operations of a company.
These professionals work closely with bookkeeping, accounting, and business administration.
How to become a controller?
Vocational training in the commercial field or a degree in business administration with a major in accounting is required for the job as a controller.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 2,300
Average annual base salary: ~ 58,000 EUR
5. Engineer
Engineers are one of the common professions in Germany, where manufacturing is the most significant economic driver.
The most common engineers are mechanical, electrotechnical, civil, and software. However, the biggest demand has been seen in IT and civil engineering.
How to become an engineer?
Well, the path for engineers is pretty much similar in most countries. One has to finish at least a bachelor’s degree in the related engineering field.
Currently, Germany doesn’t offer training suitable for becoming an independent engineer; however, there are plenty of programs for future technicians.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 23,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 57,000 EUR
6. Data Analyst
With the increased digitalization, we can see more data analysts’ vacancies on the job market.
A data analyst collects and stores data on sales numbers, market research, logistics, linguistics, or other behaviors.
These professionals use their technical expertise to ensure the quality and accuracy of the data. Finally, they process, design, and present it to people so a company can make better decisions with the help of this data.
How to become a data analyst?
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, business informatics, or other IT-related field will be required for a job as a data analyst.
Mathematicians or statisticians with solid database knowledge also have good chances of getting a job as data analysts.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 4,500
Average annual base salary: ~ 50,000 EUR
7. UX-Designer
UX (user experience) designers measure and optimize applications (usually web-based) to improve ease of use (usability) and create the best user experience.
They conduct various tests and observe users’ behavior. Based on the results, UX designers refine and tweak applications, software, and websites to create products people like and find easy to use.
How to become a UX designer?
Despite being a UX designer a relatively “young” profession, you have different options to get an education in this area. There are various design programs in Germany.
Also, computer science or programming studies can lead you to become a UX designer. Besides that, Germany has apprenticeships in digital media and digital design.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 2,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 50,000 EUR
8. Account Manager
Account managers are customer service representatives. They work in the sales department and maintain contact with customers. An account manager is a middle point between buyers and companies that tries to satisfy both sides.
They also can be described as a more high-level salesperson.
How to become an account manager?
There is no particular course of study or vocational training for an account manager. It’s helpful to have a degree in economics, business administration, marketing, or industrial engineering.
One can also complete an apprenticeship in sales. Ultimately, you should know the basics of business and have a good knowledge of sales.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 16,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 45,000 EUR
9. HR Manager
Of course, Germany also needs qualified people to hire all these professionals and ensure they get paid. Therefore, an employee in HR is one of the typical job positions in Germany.
They deal with everything that involves the human resources of the company. This includes the hiring of new and the supervision of existing staff.
How to become an HR manager?
You can get a job in HR by completing vocational training or a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management, or human resources management.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 2,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 58,000 EUR
10. Key Account Manager
Key account managers are responsible for the most important customers of a company. However, they are also acquiring new customers.
The primary goal of the key account manager is to build business relationships and establish long-term trust.
How to become a key account manager?
To get a job as a key account manager, you will need a university degree in business or management and some years of experience. Usually, people grow within the company to get to this position.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 11,000
Average annual base salary: ~ 65,000 EUR
11. Graphic Designer
Design professions are experiencing a great demand in a wide range of industries in Germany. The job of a graphic designer consists mainly of designing different graphical elements such as:
- company’s logos
- flyers
- advertisements
- or websites
How to become a graphic designer?
In Germany, to get a job as a graphic designer, one can either complete vocational training in graphic design or a university degree with a major in the same area.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 1,500
Average annual base salary: ~ 40,000 EUR
12. Salesman
Over three million people in Germany work in sales. However, this data includes cashiers in supermarkets.
The fact is that salespeople are needed everywhere. Imagine how many retail stores, department stores, specialty stores, grocery stores, home improvement stores, discount stores, and many other stores are in Germany.
These places employ thousands of salespeople, retail workers, and cashiers alone.
How to become a salesperson?
To become a salesman, you only need vocational training as a salesperson (Kaufmann im Einzelhandel). And it’s by far the most popular vocational training in Germany. With this educational background, one can work in various shops and supermarkets as a salesman or cashier.
Open positions on Glassdoor: ~ 15,500
Average annual base salary: ~ 57,000 EUR
Read about the best paid vocational professions in Germany.