Switzerland Salary Guide: What Do People Earn in Each Profession?
Switzerland is one of the most intriguing countries in the world, known for its high standard of living and economic stability. Based on this, I researched professions that I had never been interested in before and learned how much they earn. I was truly captivated by the fascinating information I found. This is why the question, “What do people earn in Switzerland?” has become one of the most frequently searched topics.
This guide provides a clear overview of salaries for both university-educated professionals and skilled tradespeople.
The Balance Between Average Salary and Cost of Living in Switzerland
Frankly, while I’ve always been critical of the high average, I’m not that unhappy with my own salary, even though it’s below the average. The average gross monthly salary in Switzerland is around 6,500 – 7,000 Swiss Francs (CHF).
However, to truly understand the purchasing power of this number, it’s critical to consider the country’s high cost of living. Basic expenses like housing, food, and health insurance can make up a large portion of these high salaries. If you’re curious about the cost of living in Switzerland, you can take a look at my article on the topic.
My Research and Sources
According to my research, the salary data in this guide is based on reliable and official sources. You can also access the sources I researched directly from here:
- Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS): This is the primary source for salary data. The most recent comprehensive data set was published for the year 2024. You can access BFS data on their official website at www.bfs.admin.ch by searching for “Löhne” (salaries) or “Salaires” (salaries).
- Sector Analyses and Wage Studies: The data is supported by sector reports and online salary comparison tools like Glassdoor and lohncomputer.ch for 2024 and 2025.
Average Gross Monthly Salaries by Profession
The following salary ranges can vary based on experience, education, and location.
1. High-Paying Professional Jobs (University Degree Required)
I have to say, if you combine your education level and effort, the salaries below are simply unavoidable. These are very distant numbers for me—they’re great money. That’s why I thought, “The average must be high because of these!”
- Doctor (Specialist): 12,000 – 18,000 CHF and above
- Senior Executive: 10,000 – 15,000 CHF and above
- Lawyer: 9,000 – 15,000 CHF
- Finance and Banking Specialist: 8,000 – 10,000 CHF
- IT Specialist: 8,500 – 12,000 CHF
- Marketing Manager: 8,000 – 11,000 CHF
- Teacher: 7,000 – 8,500 CHF
2. High-Standard Jobs with Vocational Training
This is where the salaries are closer to mine; some are higher, some are lower. Unfortunately, these are the professions that pull the average down. I wish I had the chance to pull it up. Labor is sacred to me.
- Electrician: 5,500 – 7,500 CHF
- Police Officer: 5,500 – 8,000 CHF
- Plumber: 5,200 – 6,800 CHF
- Caregiver: 4.500 – 5.500 CHF
- Construction Worker: 5,000 – 6,500 CHF
- Bank Employee (Entry-Level): 5,000 – 6,500 CHF
- Automotive Mechanic: 4.800 – 6.000 CHF
- Chef: 4.500 – 6.000 CHF
- Retail Salesperson: 4.200 – 5.500 CHF
- Hairdresser: 4.000 – 5.500 CHF
- Administrative Assistant: 4.500 – 6.000 CHF
The Most Important Factors Affecting Salaries
- Location: Salaries in economic centers like Zurich and Geneva are higher than in rural areas.
- Experience: There are significant differences between the salaries of a new employee and an experienced professional.
- Education: Different education levels, such as vocational training, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees, directly affect salary ranges.
- Company Size: Large, multinational companies generally offer higher salaries than small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Cantons: Of course, in a country with a cantonal structure like Switzerland, salaries vary from canton to canton—this also applies to expenses. I’ll cover that at another time.
Job Search Platforms
If the high standard of living and attractive salaries have caught your interest, you might consider continuing your career in Switzerland, provided you fulfill the necessary procedures. Here are the links to the most popular job search platforms, both national and local, where you can look for a job:
- Jobscout24: One of Switzerland’s largest and most used job ad platforms.
- Indeed: Although it is a global platform, it is also very popular in the Swiss market and contains many job listings.
- LinkedIn: In addition to being a professional networking platform, it is an important job search tool for many companies and professionals in Switzerland.
- Jobs.ch: One of the oldest and most established job search sites in Switzerland.
- Stellen.ch: A very popular site in the German-speaking regions, offering a wide range of job listings.
- Jobup.ch: An important platform especially for job seekers in the French-speaking cantons (Romandie).
- Ostjob.ch: A local platform focused on the eastern Switzerland region.
