CNC machining technician (Zerspanungsmechaniker)
A precision trade at the core of German engineering, where every part is measured to a hundredth of a millimetre.
The profession
The CNC machining technician produces precision metal parts by turning, milling, drilling and grinding on conventional and CNC machines. They program and set up the CNC machines.
Salary
In an apprenticeship, pay is around 1,240 to 1,560 €/month under tariff (less without tariff; statutory minimum 682/805/921/955 €). The entry salary is about 2,580 €/month (roughly 31,000 €/year), and the median across all experience levels about 4,000 €/month (grinding variant around 3,902 €) (source: Entgeltatlas, Federal Employment Agency, 2025). In M+E firms, the IG Metall tariff adds holiday pay, Christmas pay and shift bonuses on a 35-hour week.
Duration and path
Training lasts 3.5 years in the dual system, between the company and the vocational school, and ends with the chamber (IHK) final exam.
Employers hiring
Employers include Bosch, ZF, Trumpf, DMG Mori, as well as many machining workshops (Lohnfertiger) in the Mittelstand.
Prospects
Demand is strong and lasting. Note: this occupation has no longer been on the official list of certified shortage occupations since 2024, so we speak of high demand rather than certified shortage.
Career progression
You can move towards CNC programming, earn a Techniker or Meister qualification, or progress into quality control.
Language level
The vocational school, the exam and the workshop all take place in German. Level B2 is the standard for success, and that is the level we aim for in our language training.
Recognition and access
For an Ausbildung, no diploma recognition is required: you train directly in Germany and the chamber (IHK) diploma is recognised nationwide. You need an Ausbildung contract, the expected German level and, generally, a secondary school leaving certificate.
Visa
Entry is via the vocational training visa (Ausbildung). Once you graduate, you switch to a skilled worker permit to work in Germany. We check your eligibility and prepare the application with you.
Your Karriere Fähre support
We train you in German up to the required level, find the company and the Ausbildung contract, prepare the visa application and support you all the way to your arrival.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I already need to know how to program a CNC?
- No: programming CNC machines is learned during the training.
- Which skills matter?
- Precision and reading technical drawings are essential, as parts are measured to a hundredth of a millimetre.
Indicative gross ranges from public German sources (Federal Employment Agency, Entgeltatlas, Gehalt.de, StepStone, IHK, IG Metall). In industry, pay is often set by the collective agreement (IG Metall) and varies by region, employer and experience. Recognition and visa rules change: always check your case with the competent German authorities.