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Jobs In Germany For Americans

Germany is a country with a strong economy and job market, making it a great place for expats to move. If you’re looking for jobs in Germany as an American, you may consider being a tech specialist, English language instructor, biotechnology researcher, or a software engineer, to name a few.

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Of course there are many more options than these, so you won’t want to miss this guide that details a variety of occupations available in Germany and how to land yourself a job.

With Germany’s high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and beautiful landscape, it is an attractive country for expats to move to. They generally work less hours in a day which makes for great work-life balance.

Germany’s culture is generally a tad slower and more laid back, and that is reflected in their workplace, plus there is more equality and fairness in the job scene. 

If that is the type of professional atmosphere you’re looking for, you won’t want to miss this guide about jobs in Germany. We’ll list out quite a few jobs available to Americans and English-speakers, as well as the jobs that make the most money and are in the highest demand.

We’ll also discuss how to get a job in Germany as an expat. By the time you finish, you’ll want to learn the best places to live in Germany!

Jobs For Americans In Germany

There is a wide variety of jobs available in Germany for Americans. Depending on your skill-set, they need scientists to engineers, mathematicians to doctors, and data analysts to retail managers. 

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Here’s a list of jobs in Germany you can apply for as an American:

  • IT specialist
  • IT consultant/analyst
  • Data scientist/analyst
  • Software developer
  • Doctor
  • Engineer
  • Electrical engineer
  • Civil engineer
  • Scientist
  • Mathematician
  • Nurse and senior care worker
  • Metal worker
  • Electronics technician and electrician
  • Mechatronic
  • Seller in retail

Here’s a list of large companies in Germany who have hired Americans in the past:

  • Allianz
  • Volkswagen
  • Bosch (electronics)
  • Deutsche Telekom
  • Daimler AG
  • BMW
  • Siemens
  • Adidas
  • DeepL

Pros And Cons Of Working In Germany As An American

There are several pros and cons of working in Germany as an American. There’s a wide variety of job opportunities, competitive salaries, and a strong work-life balance. On the flip side, however, the language can be a barrier if you don’t speak German, and the cost of living can be high.

Before you take the plunge and move your life around the globe, consider the following advantages and disadvantages of working in Germany.

Pros:

  • Competitive salaries
  • Strong training and education opportunities
  • Satisfying work-life balance
  • Access to the European Union
  • Diverse environment with rich culture
  • Robust social welfare programs

Cons:

  • German is the official language and may be required in the workplace
  • The cost of living can be high
  • German bureaucracy can be time-consuming and frustrating
  • Labor laws can be strict
  • Cultural differences may take getting used to
  • High taxes can reduce your income

English-Speaking Jobs In Germany

The English Speaking jobs in Germany that are often highest in demand include English teaching positions. This could be an EFL teacher (English as a foreign language), a freelance video lecturer of the English language, or a business English teacher.

There are also many positions that are not related to teaching English, but are perfect English-speaking jobs for Americans moving to Germany. Some of those include:

  • Childcare
  • Copy editor
  • Sales representative
  • Customer service
  • Hospitality
  • Software engineering
  • Quality assurance
  • Engineering managers
  • UI/UX designers
  • Product management
  • Digital marketing

English is well accepted in many German cities and even some businesses, but we recommend looking for work in the following cities if you’re an only English speaker:

  • Berlin
  • Munich
  • Frankfurt
  • Hamburg
  • Dusseldorf

Top Language Jobs is a great source to help you find English-speaking jobs in Germany.

Though you should be able to get by with only knowing English, we recommend picking up some German so you can communicate better and assimilate more fully into your new community home.

Highest Paying Jobs In Germany

Among the highest paying jobs in Germany are researchers in biotechnology and neuroscience, engineering professionals, and sales managers. If you want to immigrate to Germany as an expat, you’ll want to research what types of occupations your skill-set and experiences qualify you for.

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Here’s a list of the 10 highest paying jobs in Germany:

  1. Researchers in biotechnology and neuroscience
  2. Engineering professionals
  3. Sales managers
  4. Financial sector jobs
  5. Surgeons and doctors
  6. SAP HR consultants
  7. Tax advisors
  8. Actuaries
  9. Risk managers
  10. Legal consultants

If you have qualifications and work experience in any of these fields, that will work to your benefit as you try to land a job before moving to Germany.

If you have not yet done your schooling but would like to get a high-paying job when you to move to Germany in the future, we recommend these highest-paying German degrees:

  1. Medicine and Dentistry
  2. Law
  3. Industrial Engineering
  4. Engineering
  5. Mathematics and Computer Science
  6. Natural Sciences
  7. Business and Economics
  8. Architecture
  9. Psychology
  10. Earth Science

Pros And Cons Of Being A Biotechnology Researcher

If you’re considering being a biotechnology researcher when you move to Germany since they have the highest paying jobs, you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons of that profession. Advantages include making a difference, getting optimal pay, and having opportunities to advance.

Disadvantages include having to meet strict deadlines, getting less autonomy as you conduct your work, and being required to travel long distances with regularity.

Jobs In High Demand In Germany

Jobs in high demand in Germany include software developers, architects, programmers, electronic engineers, electricians, and electrical fitters. If you are a skilled worker considering moving to Germany, it is very likely your expertise is needed there because of their need for skilled labor.

Here’s a list of some of the most needed jobs in Germany according to a 2018 report:

  • Software developers, architects, and programmers
  • Electronic engineers, electricians, and electrical fitters
  • Nurses
  • IT consultants and analysts
  • Economists and business management experts
  • Customer advisors and account managers
  • Production assistants
  • Sales representatives/assistants
  • Sales managers and product managers
  • Architects and civil engineers

Pros And Cons Of Being A Software Engineer

Being a software engineer is among the most in-demand jobs in Germany right now. Pros of being a software engineer include getting excellent pay, that it is in high demand and gives good job security, and that you can work remotely (that may be very appealing for a digital nomad).

Cons of being a software engineer include having to work long hours, the high competition in the field, you’ll need to meet strict deadlines, and it’s generally a fast-paced work environment.

How To Get A Job In Germany As An American

To get a job in Germany as an American you can use online job sites, recruitment agencies, and contacts you know in the country. Another tip is to find American companies who are hiring in Germany. You will need to apply for a work visa once you have a job before you can move there.

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To begin your job search, you may need to learn how to write a German resume/CV, called a lebenslauf. Some of the key differences from an American resume is that German resumes include a picture of the applicant, their birthday, nationality, and marital status.

To prepare, you may also want to learn some German. While there are English-speaking jobs, there will still be a lot of German spoken in the workplace, and knowing the local language may make you stand out over other American applicants who don’t.

These are some helpful websites you can use to find jobs in Germany as an American:

  • Workwise: This site lets you send a single application that doesn’t require a cover letter to multiple positions at once.
  • Make it in Germany: This is a great website you can use to find jobs in Germany.
  • Berfunet: This portal makes it easy for employers to contact you after you apply.
  • EURES: This website is a European job locator, so if you are interested in working as a digital nomad in Europe while living in Germany, this is a great resource.
  • Top Language Jobs: This is a great site to find English-speaking jobs.
  • Berlin Startup Jobs: If you’d like to join a startup job centralized in Berlin, check them out here.

It can be difficult to find a job in a country when you don’t live there yet. Here are some tips to help:

  1. Learn German
  2. Apply to American companies that hire overseas, such as Amazon or KAYAK
  3. Apply to large German companies
  4. Research how to get a work visa
  5. Consider freelancing
  6. Talk to an expert in a German recruitment agency who can match your talent with German companies
  7. Apply smart to international companies who have interest in working with expats
  8. Tailor your resume to a German audience

Work Visas In Germany

You can apply for a German work visa as an American in a German embassy or consulate, and the process can take 1 to 3 months. A work visa, or a Long-Stay Visa, is required for anyone to work while living in Germany, including freelancers and self-employed individuals.

You are eligible to apply for a German work visa if you are a:

  • Highly qualified foreigner, like a researcher or teaching personnel
  • Intra-corporate transferee, like a manager or specialist
  • Skilled worker who can fill the shortage in Germany
  • Applicant who has a concrete job offer
  • Educated individual with a university degree or non-academic vocational qualification

To apply for a work visa, you will need the following documents:

  • 2 Completed application forms
  • 2 Passport photos
  • Passport
  • Proof of residence of your home in the U.S.
  • Proof of international health insurance
  • Proof of job offer
  • CV
  • Proof of your job qualifications
  • Cover letter
  • Proof of clean criminal record
  • Proof of paid visa fee
  • Declaration of Accuracy of Application

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Conclusion

We’ve now looked at quite a few job opportunities for Americans planning to move to and work in Germany. Hopefully, you have a good idea of the process and where you want to begin your search.

You may also find it helpful to read our guide about all you need to know when working abroad as an American, and if you’re not sure Germany is the right place for you, consider working in Greece or France.

Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime
Serena Fung is a Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 2+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
Serena Fung