Looking for a new role in Germany this year? Here are the professions growing in demand, and the regions where you’ll find them.
With the rise of generative AI, known as KI (Künstliche Intelligenz) in German, the world of work is undergoing a transformation.
Many people – in Germany and beyond – are having to navigate layoffs or consider a change in their career path.
A new study by international job search site LinkedIn shines a light on the skills that are increasingly sought-after in Germany.
READ ALSO: Six things to know about Germany’s job market in 2026
LinkedIn says that AI leads the way in its ‘trending jobs’ for 2026 but adds that a variety of occupations are on the list, including roles in occupational safety, sustainability, real estate and energy.
“The increase in positions such as construction managers, train drivers and bus drivers also shows that professions in the field of infrastructure and mobility are in high demand,” said LinkedIn in its study.
“This is also confirmed by another LinkedIn survey, which shows that practical apprenticeships are once again in high demand among Gen Z.”
Here’s a look at the top 10 professions that have seen the most growth in recent years, and that LinkedIn expects to be in-demand in particular this year.
Although lots of positions in Germany require you to speak German, many companies are international and encourage English speakers to apply.
Head of Artificial Intelligence (Leiter:in Künstliche Intelligenz)
Those in this role typically decide on appropriate strategies and tools that fit the company’s business processes and the needs of its employees.
Most common skills: Large language models (LLM), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), MLOps
Most common industries: IT services and IT consulting, management consulting
Top regions for hiring: Munich, Berlin/Brandenburg, Hamburg
Average professional experience: 4.8 years
Many employees were previously: data scientists, founders, software engineers
Flexibility: 53 percent of jobs ad include hybrid element
READ ALSO: The in-demand jobs that make it easier to move to Germany
AI Developer (KI-Entwickler:in)
AI developers programme, test and manage AI software and machine learning models to automate tasks and solve complex problems.
Most common skills: Large language models (LLM), retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), PyTorch
Most common industries: Technology, IT services, IT consulting, management consulting
Top regions for hiring: Munich, Berlin/Brandenburg, Cologne/Bonn
Average professional experience: 3 years
Many employees were previously: software engineers, data scientists, machine learning experts
Flexibility: 45 percent hybrid
Occupational Health and Safety Officer (Beauftragte:r für Arbeitssicherheit und Gesundheitsschutz)
To ensure a safe working environment, HSE officers monitor compliance with existing regulations, inform employees about new measures and conduct regular audits.
Most common skills: accident analysis, investigation of incidents, NEBOSH
Most common industries: management consulting, airlines and aviation, chemical production
Top regions for hiring: Hamburg, Munich, Frankfurt/Rhine-Main
Average professional experience: 4.2 years
Many employees were previously: Safety managers, project managers, environmental/health/safety consultants
Flexibility: 20 percent hybrid
Claims adjusters (Schadenregulierer:in)
Claims managers process and administer insurance claims and coordinate communication between policyholders and insurance companies.
Most common skills: Claims management, claims processing, insurance claims
Most common industries: Insurance, legal services, management consulting
Top regions for hiring: Munich, Cologne/Bonn, Münster
Average professional experience: 4.3 years
Many employees were previously: Insurance agent, clerk, sales representative
Flexibility: 44 percent hybrid
READ ALSO: Which job sectors in Germany need the most skilled workers?
Geophysicist (Geophysiker:in)
Geophysicists analyse geological maps, previous geophysical measurements or drilling data to identify resources such as oil, gas and minerals or to prepare expert reports for construction projects.
Most common skills: 3D seismic interpretation, petroleum geology
Most common industries: Management consulting, mining, civil engineering
Top regions for hiring: Hanover-Braunschweig-Göttingen-Wolfsburg areas, Munich, Hamburg
Average professional experience: 3.2 years
Many employees were previously: geologists, teaching assistants, research lecturers
Flexibility: 41 percent hybrid
IT specialist (IT-Spezialist:in)
IT specialists are responsible for a company’s technology infrastructure. Their responsibilities include things like installing and maintaining IT systems, implementing security measures to protect against cyber attacks and planning IT audits.
Most common skills: ISO 27001, information security management, vulnerability management
Most common industries: IT services, IT consulting, credit brokerage, insurance
Top hiring regions: Munich, Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, Berlin/Brandenburg
Average professional experience: 4.3 years
Many employees were previously: software engineers, cybersecurity consultants, IT consultants
Flexibility: 59 percent hybrid
Head of Real Estate Management (Leiter:in Immobilienmanagement)
These specialists develop strategic solutions to increase the value of a real estate portfolio and optimise its management. They also handle the acquisition and leasing of properties.
Most common skills: corporate real estate, commercial real estate, land development
Most common industries: real estate, credit brokerage, capital markets
Top regions for hiring: Munich, Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, Düsseldorf
Average professional experience: 8.3 years
Many employees were previously: property managers, managing directors, portfolio managers
Flexibility: 35 percent hybrid
Contract officer (Vertragsbeauftragte:r)
Contract officers primarily work in government agencies and public institutions, where they draft, review and manage contracts and agreements to ensure that all legal and financial terms and conditions are met.
Most common skills: FAR, public procurement, administrative management of government contracts
Most common industries: Insurance, research services, IT services and IT consulting
Top regions for hiring: Munich, Cologne/Bonn, Rhine-Neckar
Average professional experience: 3.8 years
Flexibility: 33 percent hybrid
Reporting Manager (Berichtsmanager:in)
From human resources to sales, reporting managers create and analyse relevant company data to monitor the company’s performance and support management and other stakeholders in their decision-making.
Most common skills: Cash flow, financial reporting, International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
Most common industries: Credit brokerage, management consulting, insurance
Top regions for hiring: Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg
Average professional experience: 3.9 years
Many employees were previously: Sustainability managers, accountants, financial accountants
Flexibility: 50 percent hybrid
READ ALSO: How to apply for Germany’s new ‘opportunity card’ and other visas for job seekers
Private equity specialist
Private equity specialists evaluate investment opportunities in private companies, conduct market research and assist in raising capital to maximise returns for investors.
Most common skills: Financial modelling, leveraged buyouts, valuation
Most common industries: Capital markets, management consulting, technology, information and internet
Top hiring regions: Munich, Frankfurt/Rhine-Main, Berlin/Brandenburg
Average professional experience: 1.6 years
Many employees were previously: investment bankers, business development managers, management consultants
Flexibility: 29 percent hybrid
The other professional roles on the list, making up the top 25, include:
Finance director (Finanzdirektor:in)
Head of Accounting (Leiter:in Buchhaltung)
Sustainability Manager (Nachhaltigkeitsmanager:in)
Energy specialist (Energie-Spezialist:in)
Head of Internal Audit (Leiter:in Interne Revision)
Sales Director (Vertriebsdirektor:in)
Train driver/bus driver (Lokführer:in / Busfahrer:in)
Human resources development specialist (Spezialist:in für Personalentwicklung)
Hospitality manager (Hospitality Manager:in)
Construction manager (Bauleiter:in)
Technical Sales Manager (Manager:in Technischer Vertrieb)
Business Excellence Manager (Business Excellence Manager:in)
Tax advisor (Steuerberater:in)
Head of building management (Leiter:in Gebäudeverwaltung)
Event manager (Veranstaltungsleiter:in)