Activity key

The occupation code contains coded information on the work of employees in Germany. It is part of the social security reports from employers to the health insurance company . The reports on social insurance with the details of the activity serve as a basis for the Federal Employment Agency to be able to fulfill its statutory mandate to keep statistics on employment in the Federal Republic of Germany. The Federal Employment Agency publishes a key directory for this purpose. The key number can partially be found on pay slips .

Different job codes depending on the period concerned

A five-digit key in which the first three digits identified the occupation was used for reports on social security that cover periods up to November 30, 2011. A nine-digit code applies to reports relating to periods after December 1, 2011, in which the first five digits identify the occupation.

Composition of the five-digit key

In the five-digit occupation code, which was valid until November 2011, the first three digits indicated the profession. The fourth digit indicated the position in the profession and the fifth digit the type of training.

Composition of the nine-digit key

Source:

Enter in the nine-digit job code that has been in effect since December 2011

• the first five digits indicate the occupation practiced. The basis for this coding, which uses 1286 possibilities, is the “ Classification of Professions 2010 ”.
• The sixth digit indicates the highest general school leaving certificate,
• the seventh the highest vocational qualification and
• the eighth digit indicates whether this is an activity in the context of temporary employment , and
• the ninth digit indicates the type of contract.

Put	meaning	Possible values
12345----	Job title	Examples: 11101 = arable worker 11102 = arable farmer 11103 = agricultural specialist 11104 = graduate farmer 27393 = shift supervisor 51311 = warehouse worker 81342 = paramedic 94334 = television presenter 94383 = clairvoyant in
---4-----	Executive	0-8 = no 9 = yes
----5----	Skill level	1 = helper 2 = skilled worker 3 = specialist 4 = expert
-----6---	Graduation	1 = no school leaving certificate 2 = secondary school leaving certificate 3 = secondary school leaving certificate 4 = high school diploma / technical diploma 9 = unknown
------7--	Training degree	1 = Without 2 = Vocational training 3 = Master craftsman / technician 4 = Bachelor 5 = Diploma / Magister / Master / State examination 6 = Doctorate 9 = Unknown
-------8-	Temporary employment	1 = no 2 = yes
--------9	Contract form	1 = full-time, unlimited 2 = part-time, unlimited 3 = full-time, limited 4 = part-time, limited

Web links

• Key directory of the employment agency, with explanations and PDF file with all key values
• Activity key online of the Federal Employment Agency

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Key index for the information on the activity ( PDF ), Federal Employment Agency, April 2018.