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Service technician(m/f/d)

If an appliance breaks down again and the on/off button doesn't fix it, service technicians are there for you. Service technicians ensure that everyday appliances and machines always work to our satisfaction in a high-tech world.  

What exactly are the tasks of service technicians? What does a service technician earn? And what does the career path look like? We shed light on this in this job profile. 

Are you looking for service technician jobs? (m/f/d) 

Are you interested in technical topics? Are you looking for a new challenge and want to use your knowledge as a service technician? Then take a look at our job market. 

Are you looking for a service technician? (m/f/d) 

Are you looking for a qualified service technician for your product? We have the right people for you who will be happy to support you with their technical expertise. 

  Are you looking for an exciting project for service technicians? 

Are you an experienced service technician and have already been able to provide profitable support for various projects? Then we would be happy to help you with further project acquisition so that you can focus on your area of expertise. 

What is a service technician? Definition and overview 

Service technician: The link between the company and the customer. Service technicians travel to customers, carry out repair or maintenance work on technical devices and advise the customer on all technical details.  

Service technicians are not generalists. They specialize in certain areas and know their way around them. Whether household appliances such as washing machines and stoves, office equipment such as printers and photocopiers, information and telecommunications technology (ICT) such as computers and telephony or laboratory equipment such as spectrometers and analytical balances - they are masters of their trade. 

Their work begins with the installation of the respective devices and continues through maintenance work to repairs.  

Service technician salary: a comprehensive overview 

The gross annual salary of a service technician averages €41,600 per year. The level of salary is influenced by the type of training, age and professional experience. Over time, the service technician salary can rise to up to €60,000. 

Starting salary as a service technician: Junior service technician salary 

A service technician with less than 3 years of professional experience starts with an average starting salary of around €31,590 gross per year. With four to nine years of experience, earnings for service technicians rise to around €40,020. 

It is important to note that the salary may also depend on other factors, such as the industry in which the service technician works and the location of the company. 

Senior Service Technician Salary  

A senior service technician with more than 10 years of professional experience can expect a salary of around €55,000 gross per year. However, this salary can increase significantly due to various factors such as personnel responsibility. 

It's also important to note that senior service technician salaries can vary by industry and location. Some industries may pay higher salaries than others, and companies in cities or regions with a high cost of living often pay higher salaries. 

Overall, the service technician profession offers attractive salary prospects for both entry-level and experienced professionals. However, it is important to remember that salary is only one aspect that should be considered when choosing a career. Other factors such as job satisfaction, work-life balance and career opportunities are equally important. 

Service technician salary by specialization 

Service technician wind turbines Salary: 

As a service technician for wind turbines, you will earn an average of €41,000 gross per year. You can read about the special features of a service technician in the wind turbine industry below in this job profile. 

IT service technician salary: 

Service technicians are also needed in information technology. On average, they earn a gross salary of €45,000 per year. IT and mechanical engineering are among the most popular fields for service technicians. 

Automotive service technician salary: 

We probably come across automotive service technicians most often in everyday life. The salary of a car service technician is around €36,500 per year. 

What does a service technician do? - Tasks and activities  

A service technician is responsible for the installation, commissioning and maintenance of various devices and machines.  

Service technicians also carry out repair work. Their tasks also include planning and carrying out service calls. A service technician receives customer complaints and is responsible for advising and supporting existing and new customers. They often work in the field.
 

Specific service technician tasks are: 
  • Installation and commissioning of devices 

  • Diagnosis of technical problems 

  • Maintenance and repair work 

  • Planning and implementation of service assignments 

  • Customer service 

How do you become a service technician? - Training & further education in Germany 

The path to becoming a service technician is varied and offers numerous opportunities for a successful career. Although there is no specific training to become a service technician, many acquire their qualifications through technical training and then specialize in a particular area. Further training and lateral moves are also common routes into this profession. The term service technician is not protected and refers to a field of activity in various technical disciplines. 

Service technician training  

There is no specific service technician training program in Germany. Instead, many service technicians acquire their qualifications through training in a technical profession and then specialize in a particular field. Service technician training can vary depending on the field, but some of the most common areas are IT, mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, biogas plants, medical technology, renewable energy and security and alarm systems. 

Only the path to becoming a vehicle service technician requires training. This profession follows on from training as a vehicle mechatronics technician.

Further training as a service technician 

Further training to become a service technician usually takes the form of in-house training and an examination at an institute or vocational training, usually lasting around 7 - 10 months (full-time). There are also specific further training courses for certain areas, such as further training to become an automotive service technician. 

Service technician: career changers welcome 

It is also possible to work as a service technician as a career changer. Many companies offer jobs for service technicians from other technical professions. The exact requirements may vary depending on the company and industry, but a certain amount of technical experience and expertise is generally expected. 

It is important to note that the profession of service technician requires a high degree of technical and commercial understanding, manual dexterity, openness and empathy as well as resilience. Therefore, a solid technical education or experience is often an important prerequisite for success in this profession. 

Service technician specializations and industries 

Service technicians work in a variety of industries and can specialize in different areas. Some of the most common specializations are IT, electrical and electronics industry, mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, medical technology and renewable energies. The choice of specialization often depends on the interests and skills of the individual, as well as the requirements and opportunities of the job market. 

Automotive service technician: Special features of the specialization 

Automotive service technicians are technical professionals who carry out complex maintenance, fault diagnosis and repair tasks as well as the installation of additional equipment in motor vehicles. Automotive service technicians diagnose technical problems in discussions with customers and find solutions to problems in the car. They determine the work tasks resulting from customer orders and requests and formulate work orders. Further training as a vehicle service technician is a sought-after qualification for advancement in the automotive trade. It follows training as a vehicle mechatronics technician. This role is therefore the only specialization that requires special further training. 

Service technician: Wind turbines 

Service technicians for wind turbines play an essential role in the renewable energy sector. They are responsible for the maintenance, inspection, repair and improvement of turbines during the operating phase. They check mechanical and electrical parts such as the generator, gearbox and brakes, install hardware and software and document diagnostic data. The continuing expansion of wind turbines makes it necessary for more and more people to be involved in the maintenance of wind turbines. The demand for service technicians for wind turbines is therefore very high. 

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Service technician skills: These are your hard skills and soft skills 

Service technicians must be very familiar with their company's machines, systems, devices and programs. This also includes knowledge of the problems and needs that many customers have when it comes to these products.  

In addition to a comprehensive understanding of technology, good communication skills and empathy are therefore also important for service technicians, as they must be able to understand the customer's problems. Furthermore, their aim is to provide customers with advice so that these problems no longer occur. 

As a rule, a car driver's license is also required for assignments directly at the customer's premises. This is because many service technicians work in the field and are called out to the various locations where their products and devices are used. 

In addition to technical knowledge, service technicians also need some soft skills. With basic knowledge of sales communication, they conduct customer meetings confidently and competently. They think entrepreneurially and are always friendly and confident. 

Important hard skills for service technicians are: 

  • Technical and professional knowledge 

  • Knowledge of customer problems and needs 

  • Car driver's license 

  • Basic knowledge of sales communication 

Soft skills that are relevant for female service technicians: 
  • Entrepreneurial mindset 

  • Friendly and confident demeanor 

  • Empathy 

  • Willingness to travel 

Service technician career: opportunities on the job market 

As a service technician, you can work in a wide range of industries and therefore have good prospects on the job market. You can work in the automotive trade, in mechanical and plant engineering, medical technology, renewable energies or as an IT service technician.  

The demand for service technicians is high, as they play an important role in the maintenance, repair and improvement of technical systems and devices. 

In the IT sector, for example, the demand for service technicians is particularly high.  

According to a survey by the digital association Bitkom , around 149,000 vacancies for IT specialists were unfilled in 2023. As digitalization progresses, the demand for service technicians in this area is also increasing. 

Service technicians are also in high demand in the renewable energy sector, particularly in wind energy. The continuing expansion of wind turbines requires more and more specialists to maintain these systems. 

Additional qualifications can further improve your chances on the job market. For example, service technicians can deepen their expertise and specialize in certain areas through further training and certifications.  

For example, further training to become a technical business administrator (IHK) can be interesting, as it provides business management knowledge and thus improves career opportunities. 

Overall, there are good opportunities for service technicians on the job market. With a solid technical education, continuous training and a willingness to adapt to new technologies and trends, service technicians can build a successful career in various industries. 

Top Vacancies: Service technician Jobs (m/f/d)

FAQ

Service technicians take care of the commissioning, maintenance and repair of certain devices and machines. They also help customers to use appliances correctly and prevent problems.

Service technicians take care of the commissioning, maintenance and repair of certain devices and machines. They also help customers to use appliances correctly and prevent problems.


As a service technician in Germany, you earn an average of around €41,600 gross per year. The starting salary is around €31,500.

As a service technician in Germany, you earn an average of around €41,600 gross per year. The starting salary is around €31,500.


Service technician is not a protected job title in Germany and therefore does not require any special training. As a rule, service technicians have a technical education before they continue their training in a specialist field.

Service technician is not a protected job title in Germany and therefore does not require any special training. As a rule, service technicians have a technical education before they continue their training in a specialist field.


The most important skills to become a service technician are technical and industry-specific understanding, as well as empathy and strong communication skills.  

The most important skills to become a service technician are technical and industry-specific understanding, as well as empathy and strong communication skills.  


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