What is the difference from the SHK (sanitary and heating) variant?

Here it is the industrial variant, centred on piping and plant, not the sanitary and heating craft variant.

Does the work involve heights and industrial sites?

Yes, the job takes place on large industrial sites and often involves work at height, in line with safety rules.

Industrial plant mechanic (Anlagenmechaniker)

A sturdy trade at the heart of process industry, building and maintaining large plant.

The profession

In its industrial variant, the plant mechanic builds, assembles and maintains large plant, piping and apparatus in the process industry. This variant is distinct from the SHK sanitary and heating craft trade.

Salary

In an apprenticeship, pay is around 1,010 to 1,175 €/month and more under tariff (statutory minimum 682/805/921/955 €). The entry salary is about 2,840 to 3,200 €/month, and the median across all experience levels about 4,120 €/month (source: Entgeltatlas via Brutto-Netto-Gehaltsrechner, 2026). 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 the chemical parks (BASF, Bayer), energy utilities and plant constructors (Anlagenbau).

Prospects

Prospects are strong in the construction and maintenance of industrial plant.

Career progression

You can specialise in welding, earn a Techniker or Meister qualification, or move towards piping and boilermaking.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference from the SHK (sanitary and heating) variant?: Here it is the industrial variant, centred on piping and plant, not the sanitary and heating craft variant.
Does the work involve heights and industrial sites?: Yes, the job takes place on large industrial sites and often involves work at height, in line with safety rules.

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.