Jobs at the Oktoberfest
Unbelievable, but true: many people take extra holidays to be able to work at the Wiesn. Because it's fun to lend a hand at the biggest folk festival in the world. Such a Wiesn job can also be very lucrative. All jobs have one thing in common: you can't be squeamish, but you must be physically fit.
Jobs in the tent: from Oktoberfest waiter to photographer
The Oktoberfest is great fun for around six million visitors every year.It takes a lot of specialists to make sure it runs smoothly.Above all, beer, chicken & co. have to reach the guests in the marquees. The Oktoberfest waiters make sure of this. But there are even more people working in the tent, including in the kitchen, as a bar waiter or as security staff.
Other popular Wiesn jobs include pretzel, snuff or souvenir sellers with vendor's trays, alcohol testers and, of course, in times of the selfie deluge, photographers who develop their photos immediately and sell them in paper frames or hearts. In most cases, these photos turn out better than blurred mobile phone pictures ...
Who should work at the Wiesn? The requirements
If you want to work at the Oktoberfest, you need stamina above all else.The Oktoberfest lasts between 16 and 18 days. You should also be sociable if you want to work as a Wiesn waiter or waitress: the right person for this job is someone who enjoys dealing with people all day, is cheerful and friendly - and has or wants to get strong upper arms and calves! The filled beer mugs weigh up to 30 kilos per load and a Wiesn waiter covers up to 20 kilometres a day.
Anyone working as a security guard or paramedic at the Oktoberfest certainly needs a relaxed disposition and a sense of humour in addition to the necessary qualifications. More fun is likely to await the helpers on the rides. For example, if you help guests to get up the conveyor belt of the toboggan more or less elegantly.
Generally speaking, the prerequisites for a Wiesn job are a good constitution, enjoyment of hard work, a good sense of humour and a lot of composure.
How much does a waitress or salesperson earn?
How much someone earns at the Oktoberfest depends on their job and where they are employed. Sales staff receive a share of the turnover and can increase their earnings with tips. As an employee in a fairground ride or snack bar, you can expect a fixed hourly wage.
A particularly lucrative job is as an Oktoberfest waiter. There is no hourly rate here, the wage is based on a share of turnover. The average earnings are over 5000 euros - for the whole 16 or 18 days.
The differences are huge: a Wiesn waiter earns the most in a box in a tent where there is not only beer but also wine and champagne, the least is usually earned when serving in the beer garden - if the weather is bad, there are few guests and therefore hardly any turnover. Tips make up a large part of the earnings, often several hundred euros per Wiesntag.
Directly or via agencies:Ways to a job at the Oktoberfest
If you want to work at the Oktoberfest, you should apply as early as possible, as most jobs are taken by early summer. There are various ways to find the right job at the Oktoberfest. The Munich Employment Agency advertises jobs at the Oktoberfest. Another way to find a job at the Oktoberfest is to apply directly to the operators of the festival tents. Some also advertise job offers on their websites.
And even if you're too late, it's often worth getting on the waiting list.Jobs become available shortly before the Wiesn begins.Another option: serious offers and requests can be found at oktoberfest-jobs.de or wiesnjobs.de, among others. As always, when you apply for a job: You also have to have a bit of luck at the Wiesn.
