Overall ranking
The top 10 professions
| Kategorie | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics technician, electrical installer, electrical fitter | 3.78 | 4.99 |
| Healthcare and nursing professional, nursing specialist | 2.92 | 4.24 |
| Economist, management expert | 2.53 | 1.12 |
| Educator, childcare worker | 2.39 | 1.70 |
| Machine and system operator, machinist | 2.17 | 1.89 |
| Forklift driver, materials handling equipment operator | 2.11 | 2.39 |
| Sales manager, distribution manager, product manager | 1.99 | 1.08 |
| Home care worker, domestic care assistant | 1.98 | 1.48 |
| Production assistant | 1.84 | 2.75 |
| Social worker, social education specialist | 1.81 | 1.82 |
Source: DEKRA Akademie 2026
Base: 9,301 job vacancies
Practical skills and empathy in demand
The professions at the top remain unchanged: electronics technicians have been the most sought-after specialists since 2021. The runners-up, healthcare and nursing professionals, have — with few exceptions — been at the top positions since data collection began in 2008. For both professions, however, their share has fallen noticeably compared to the previous year.
Comeback for economists
There is a surprise in third place: experts with a degree in economics have returned to the top 10 professions for the first time since 2018. They have made up many places in the overall ranking (2025: 28). The high demand may be connected to the restructuring at many companies and the growing importance of data analysis. Economists and management experts are able to develop strategies, assess risks, and make forecasts – important skills in light of the structural change in Germany.
Best prospects in care professions
Anyone with training and experience in the care and education of people need not worry about their professional future. Educators are in desperate demand; they take fourth place among all professions (2025: 11). Two years ago, they made the jump into the top 10 for the first time. The availability of staff with a pedagogical education is not keeping pace with the expansion of childcare in Germany. This is why educator is among the bottleneck professions.
The rising average age of the population is also affecting the demand for home care workers and domestic care staff. They are in greater demand than ever. Last year, the occupation had already moved up to 13th place. A degree in social education also pays off: social education specialists are among the ten most sought-after specialists for the second year in a row.
Practical skills in demand
Employers continue to look for workers in the technical-commercial field. Machine and system operators have moved up two places. Specialists with this training monitor equipment, processes, and quality in production. There is also plenty to do for semi-skilled workers in production, even though the share of corresponding job offers has fallen noticeably. Production assistants have slipped several places in the overall ranking (2025: 4).
People with the qualification forklift driver or materials handling equipment operator can choose from many job offers in warehouse logistics. The occupation has established itself in the top 10, where it is now represented for the fifth year in a row.
Germany is in a phase of economic weakness. It is all the more interesting that four commercial-technical professions are still so high up in the ranking. Demographic change may also play a certain role here, since it is precisely in this field that many older employees are gradually leaving the labor market.
