Ausbildung profession · Paper and packaging industry
Packmitteltechnologe Ausbildung in Germany: packaging technologist
Almost everything you buy comes in packaging. A packaging technologist (Packmitteltechnologe) makes it: printing, cutting, folding and gluing cardboard and other materials on modern machines.
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HRB 746028
German companyregistered at Ulm District Court
- German name
- Packmitteltechnologe
- Duration
- 3 years
- Field
- Paper and packaging industry
- Where you work
- Manufacturers of cardboard, paper and plastic packaging
- Training pay
- 1,266 euros a month on average in industry (2025)
- Language
- German, usually B1 for the visa
What you do every day
- Setting up printing, cutting, folding and gluing machines
- Running production and monitoring quality
- Reading packaging specifications and drawings
- Maintaining machines and fixing small faults
- Calculating materials and recording production data
Pay during the Ausbildung
In industrial companies covered by a collective agreement (Tarifvertrag), the average training pay in 2025 was 1,266 euros gross a month across all training years, according to the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). The exact amount depends on the company, the region and the year of training. The legal minimum for an Ausbildung starting in 2026 is 724 euros a month in the first year.
These are gross figures. Social insurance contributions are deducted, and living costs in Germany are high. Our salary guide shows what is left after rent, food and insurance. For the visa, your training pay should be at least 1,048 euros gross a month (2026), otherwise you have to show extra funds.
Working hours and shifts
Many plants produce day and night. In many companies, night, weekend and shift work is paid with extra allowances on top of the basic training pay. Under German law, apprentices under 18 may not work night shifts.
Career after the Ausbildung
After qualifying you can work as a machine operator or shift leader, or go on to become an Industriemeister in paper and packaging processing.
After the Ausbildung you can stay in Germany as a skilled worker. In many industrial professions, skilled workers earn more than twice the training pay. Read after the Ausbildung for the residence rules.
This profession suits you if …
- You like machines and seeing the result of your work
- You work carefully
- You are ready to work shifts
It may not suit you if …
- You do not like the noise of a busy factory
Questions about this Ausbildung
The Ausbildung as packaging technologist (Packmitteltechnologe) takes 3 years. It is a dual training: most of the week you work in the company, the rest you spend at a vocational school. With very good results, the training can sometimes be shortened.
According to BIBB, the average in industry and trade was 1,266 euros gross a month in 2025 in companies with a collective agreement, averaged across all training years. Pay rises every year of the training. The legal minimum in the first year is 724 euros a month for a start in 2026.
Yes. From outside the EU you need a training contract with a German company, German at level B1 and a visa for vocational training. Because few German school-leavers know this profession, companies are often open to applicants from abroad. Vocational school and the final exam are in German.
Interested in this profession?
Acaluna places apprentices from Indonesia in this profession with German companies that commission us. If you live in Indonesia, have finished 12 years of school and hold a German B1 certificate, check in one minute whether you can apply.
Pay: Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB), collectively agreed training pay 2025. Profession details: Federal Employment Agency (BERUFENET). Status: September 2026. Which professions we offer each year depends on the needs of the companies that commission us. Also available in Bahasa Indonesia.
More guides
Ausbildung or university?
Who pays, how long it takes and what happens afterwards.
How to apply from abroad
Where to find places, the German CV and cover letter, and the interview.
Is there an age limit?
What the law says, and why companies still often choose younger applicants.
Costs and scams
What you really pay, what you should never pay and how to check an offer.
Life in Germany as an apprentice
Small towns, winter, halal food, Ramadan on shift and homesickness.
After the Ausbildung
Staying on, the job search permit, permanent residence and salary.
Is an Ausbildung in Germany realistic for you?
Seven questions, one minute, an honest answer: what you already have, what is still missing and whether we can place you. We are also preparing a step-by-step online course for applicants from every country.