Best Career Options in Germany

Are you looking for best career options in Germany? Germany is one of the wealthiest countries, not just in Europe, but in the world, boasting some of the best institutions for higher education and a robust economy that creates ample job opportunities and careers for those seeking to start a life in Germany. Therefore, Germany is an ideal place to work.

The best career options in Germany are open to anyone willing and qualified enough to work in Germany and contribute to its GDP. Students must make it a point to look up the best career options in Germany that fits the profile of their course of study when choosing their program and university. Read on to know more about the best career options in Germany.

Table of Contents

• Career Options in Germany
• Jobs in Germany with Top Recruiters
• Benefits of Working in Germany after Studies
• Salary Statistics in Germany
• How to Find Jobs in Germany?
  
  • Steps for Getting a Job in Germany

Career Options in Germany

The table below contains the list of best career options in Germany, along with their average salaries per year: 

S.No.	Job Profile	Remuneration per Year (in EUR)
1.	Managing Director	170,000 to 807,000
2.	Consultant	46,000 to 220,000
3.	Engineer	64,000 to 138,000
4.	IT Specialist	66,000 to 124,000
5.	Lawyer	40,000 to 80,000
6.	Attending Physician	85,000 to 150,000
7.	Laboratory Manager	72,000 to 123,000
8.	Sales Manager	88,000 to 134,000
9.	Investment Banker	150,000 to 300,000

Managing Director

Managing directors, otherwise known as Chief Executive Officers or CEOs, are at the top tier among the best career options in Germany. Managing directors also occupy the top position among the board of directors in any given company and earn the highest salary compared to the other job profiles in the EU nation. Furthermore, managing directors are responsible for ensuring the smooth functioning of the day to day activities of the company while ensuring adherence to all legal and regulatory standards.

At a basic level, professional qualification with a background in management is the most likely preference when companies look to hire their managing director. However, many managing directors and CEOs are self-made entrepreneurs with no formal training in business management.

In a small business, a managing director would likely earn a salary of about EUR 170,000. In a medium-sized company, a managing director would earn a salary of about EUR 397,000, and in large firms or more than 5,000 employees, managing directors earn about EUR 807,000 or more in a given year.

Consultant

Consultants bring their expertise and knowledge and provide advice across various domains like management, accountancy, law, IT and education, to name a few. Consultants are hired within the company or externally hired to provide consulting services to the company’s clients.

For the role of a consultant, a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, management or accounting is required. A subsequent master’s degree in the relevant field is a bonus.

On average, at a basic level, consultants earn between EUR 30,000 and EUR 46,000 per annum. However, when a consultant becomes a partner at a higher level, the salary may range between EUR 220,000 and EUR 370,000 per annum.

Engineer

Engineers are hired across various industries, and their expertise is required for tasks like designing materials, structures, and systems while keeping in mind the practicalities, legal and safety measures, and various costs. The responsibilities of an engineer may vary across different engineering domains like chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering and electrical engineering.

Engineers need a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field of engineering. Although a master’s degree in that domain is not necessary, PhD degrees and professional qualifications are highly sought after by employers.

At a basic level, engineers make around EUR 64,000 per annum. However, at a managerial level, engineers get paid anywhere between EUR 138,000 and EUR 168,000 per annum. It is one of the best career options in Germany for international students.

IT Specialist

IT specialists are responsible for ensuring the functionality and maintenance of the company’s software and networking services. The responsibilities include upgrading the hardware and software of the company and researching and adapting the latest technological trends in the market.

Typically, employers look for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or information technology.

At a basic level, IT specialists earn about EUR 66,000 per annum. However, IT managers get paid an average salary of 81,000 per annum, whereas the head of IT gets paid a salary of around EUR 124,000 per annum.

Lawyer

Legal jurisdictions are numerous, and each of them requires lawyers of specific expertise. Lawyers advise clients on the legal aspects of their businesses or individual rights and represent these individuals or organizations in court regarding legal proceedings or dispute settlements.

To practice as a lawyer in Germany, one must have a law degree, undergo a mandatory apprenticeship to develop fundamental practical skills, and write a set of qualifying examinations. On average, the entire process of becoming a lawyer spans about seven years, and the duration may vary across provinces and territories.

At a small firm, a lawyer may make less than EUR 40,000 a year. In medium-sized law firms, the salary of a lawyer may vary between EUR 50,000 and EUR 80,000 per annum. At the highest levels, lawyers may get paid a salary of up to 700,000 per annum in large firms.

Attending Physician

The post of an attending physician refers to that of a senior doctor who works at a clinic or medical establishment. The responsibilities of an attending physician is to supervise the employees, residents, students and other practitioners at the medical facility. In addition, attending physicians are usually responsible for overseeing the workings of the department-specific to their area of specialization.

A medical degree is a prerequisite (a degree from any of the EU nations, including Switzerland, is recognized in Germany). Furthermore, attending physicians need to have a minimum language proficiency of B1 and apply for an ‘approbation’ license.

Typically, attending physicians get paid anywhere between EUR 85,000 and EUR 150,000. Chief physicians with 11 to 16 years of experience may get paid a salary of EUR 272,000, and those with 20+ years of experience may get paid around EUR 400,000 or more per annum.

Laboratory Manager

Laboratory Managers have to ensure the safety and efficiency of forensic, research and development, clinical and medical laboratories.

Employers usually look for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, chemistry or chemical engineering. The chances of being hired as a lab manager will increase based on the years of experience.

Laboratory Managers are paid significantly higher salaries in Germany than they are in the UK. For example, experienced lab managers get around EUR 123,000, whereas they would only get paid about EUR 90,000 (around GBP 78,000) in the UK.

Sales Manager

Sales managers are responsible for developing talent within the organization and overseeing the daily management of tasks. The responsibilities of a sales manager include setting targets and quotas, working on sales plans, analyzing company data, assigning sales training and mentoring members of the sales team. Sales managers are also involved in hiring members of the sales staff.

While hiring sales managers, employers look for individuals with excellent communication skills, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work under pressure. Since the hierarchy of sales managers is based on merit, no specific degree specialization is required (though an undergraduate degree is a prerequisite). However, prior experience and a background in sales is heavily favoured.

Sales managers typically earn around EUR 124,000 in the marketing and sales sectors. In the same domains, senior specialists may earn around EUR 88,000, and account managers earn around EUR 90,000 per annum.

Investment Banker

Investment bankers offer financial advice to companies and governments and help them raise funds in the capital markets. As a result, investment bankers are highly sought after in large banks or financial institutions.

Employers usually look for MBA graduates while hiring investment bankers at a basic level. However, preference is given to those individuals with exceptional economic, mathematical and statistical skills. Individuals also need the requisite license to practice as investment bankers.

Investment bankers typically earn about EUR 150,000 per annum, but senior investment bankers earn about EUR 300,000 or more per year.

Jobs in Germany with Top Recruiters

According to the latest unemployment statistics from Germany, the annual unemployment rate stood at 6.3% in October 2021. Volkswagen, Daimler, Allianz, BMW, Siemens, Bosch, and Deutsche Telekom are some of the most prominent employers in Germany. Here are some of the salary packages these companies offer:

Company	Salaries (Euro/year)
BMW	83,000
Bain & Co	132,000
PwC	79,000
Bosch	70,000
Delivery Hero	58,000
Volkswagen	55,000
Allianz	75,000
Deloitte	75,000
Zalando SE	64,000
HSBC	155,000
Morgan & Stanley	263,000
Siemens	81,000
Deutsche Telekom	97,000

Benefits of Working in Germany after Studies

Having a degree from a German university will make it much easier for you to obtain a residence permit that will allow you to work in Germany. If you finish your studies in Germany, you can apply for an 18-month residence permit to look for a job in the country after finishing your studies. To be eligible, you must prove you can pay for your living expenses and are serious about looking for employment in line with your academic qualifications.

You are allowed to work as many hours a week as you want while searching for a permanent position. You can continue staying in Germany if you find a job within the stipulated time period.

Salary Statistics in Germany

There can also be variations in your salary or pay scale based on a variety of factors. Listed below are a few:

• City of Employment: Berlin, Hamburg, Munchen, and Frankfurt are best cities in terms of the average salaries offered.  
• The Sector of Employment: Germany's top-paying sectors include medical, information technology, legal, and sales and marketing.
• Government/ Private Job: Salaries for private sector jobs in Germany are on average 5% higher than salaries for public sector jobs. 

The location is also an important consideration when applying for jobs in Germany. Below is a breakdown of the average salary by region in Germany:

City	Salaries (Euro/Year)
Berlin	52,100
Dresden	42,500
Dusseldorf	47,900
Essen	46,000
Frankfurt	48,600
Hamburg	51,200
Leipzig	43,400
Koln	49,500
Munchen	50,400
Stuttgart	46,800
Hannover	41,500
Bremen	45,200

How to Find Jobs in Germany?

There are various portals where you can find jobs in Germany, including Expatica, EURES, Federal Employment Agency, International Placement Service, Monster, Jobstairs, Jobooh, Kimeta, kununu, etc. The most popular job portals for English-speaking jobs in Germany are Craiglist, English Jobs, The Local, and Toplanguage Jobs. 

German yellow pages can help you find recruitment agencies. Look out for agencies who are members of the Federal Employer's Association of Personnel Service Providers. 

Steps for Getting a Job in Germany

Internationals students must follow the steps given below in order to get a job in Germany:

• Getting your qualifications recognized: If you graduated from a different country, you can work in Germany after having your qualifications recognized.
• Writing applications to companies: To put it simply, you must develop an outstanding resume and cover letter. You should tailor your cover letter to the position and company you are applying for. Prior to offering you a job in Germany, companies closely examine your cover letter as well as your merits and educational background.
• Insurance coverage: In Germany, health insurance or medical expenses coverage are a requirement for getting a job. When you arrive in Germany, your health insurance must be arranged immediately. 
• German language proficiency: It is always advantageous to have German language skills. German-speaking individuals have a higher number of career opportunities than English-speaking individuals.