Average Salary in Switzerland: Salaries by City and Experience

Expat life
06 Sep 2024
10 mins read
Written by pranit

The average annual salary in Switzerland for a full-time worker is CHF 5,430 after taxes, while part-time workers earn CHF 38.87 per hour.

 

Switzerland is known for its high standard of living and economic stability, offering a lucrative job market for skilled professionals. Its robust economy is centred on finance, technology and pharmaceuticals and often comes with competitive salary packages.

 

Understanding the salary data in Switzerland is crucial for anyone considering a career in the country. 

Quick Overview

  • The average salary in Switzerland per month for a full-time worker is CHF 5’430 after the tax cut.
  • The average income in Switzerland for a part-time worker is CHF 38.87 per hour.
  • Top Job Sectors in Switzerland  
    • Law Enforcement & Security: CHF 125’000 per annum
    • Hospitality & Travel: CHF 116’025 per annum
    • Journalism & Translation: CHF 114’326 per annum
  • Top Companies in Switzerland: Nestlé, Roche, Novartis, Chubb, ABB, UBS.    

Do you know?

  • Only 4% of Switzerland’s total labour force was unemployed in 2023, a 0.3% drop compared to 2022.[1]
  • Switzerland’s GDP per capita experienced substantial growth between 2022 and 2023, surging from USD 93,252.9 to USD 99,994.9.[2 ]
  • Switzerland’s inflation rate eased from 2.8% in 2022 to 2.1% in 2023.[3]

Factors affecting salary in Switzerland

Industry and Value Creation

The industry you work in plays a significant role in determining your salary in Switzerland.  High-value creation sectors such as banking, pharmaceuticals, and IT offer significantly higher wages than other industries.  

 

Geographic Location

Salaries are higher in major cities like Zurich and Basel than in rural areas. For example, the average salary in a city like Zurich will be significantly higher than in a canton like Ticino, where the living costs are much more economical than in large cities.  

 

Salary by Education Level 

Education and professional experience substantially influence earning potential. Individuals with university degrees, especially those leading to high-responsibility roles, typically earn more than those with qualifications from regular universities or apprenticeships. 

 

Additionally, work experience boosts salary prospects, with those having two to five years of experience earning more than entry-level workers. 

 

Gender Pay Gap

Despite improvements, gender remains a factor affecting salaries in Switzerland. In 2022, women earned 9.5% less than men, with factors such as education, age, level of responsibility and sector contributing to this gap. 

 

Taxation and Social Contributions

Switzerland’s taxation system also affects net salaries. Federal taxes constitute about 7% of salaries, supplemented by cantonal, local and church taxes, which vary significantly by location. Moreover, mandatory contributions to health insurance, pension, unemployment and disability funds can range from 10% to 30% of gross salaries. These deductions can significantly impact take-home pay.  

 

Cost of Living 

The equally high cost of living often impacts high salaries in Switzerland. Major cities like Zurich and Geneva frequently rank among the most expensive globally.   High rents, public transport costs and health insurance premiums quickly consume income. 

 

Economic factors affecting salaries

Switzerland’s economic stability, despite global challenges, influences salary ranges. The country’s ability to maintain salary stability is a positive aspect. Additionally, legislative measures such as the mandated gender equality analyses and the push for increased female representation on company boards may drive further changes in salary structures and equity. 

 

Also read: 5 salary negotiation tips that will get you paid what you’re worth.

Average salary for full-time worker in Switzerland: (CHF 5’430 after tax cut)

Switzerland’s job market offers diverse career opportunities in finance, technology and law. Understanding Switzerland’s salary trends across different industries helps you set realistic salary expectations and make informed career decisions. Here is an overview of the average salary ranges to make Switzerland salary comparison easier for you:

 

Average annual salary for full-time worker

 

Top Industries 

Average Annual Salary 

Per Hour Salary in Switzerland 

Law Enforcement & Security

CHF 125’000

CHF 64.10

Hospitality & Travel

CHF 116’025

CHF 59.50

Journalism & Translation

CHF 114’326

CHF 58.63

Engineering

CHF 114’111

CHF 58.52

Legal

CHF 108’225

CHF 55.50

Information Technology

CHF 105’404

CHF 54.05

Marketing & Sales

CHF 102’275

CHF 52.45

Banking, Finance & Insurance

CHF 101’106

CHF 51.85

Accounting, Administration & Human Resources

CHF 98’252

CHF 50.39

Retail, Cosmetics & Customer Service

CHF 97’749

CHF 50.13

Source: Talent 

 

The following are details of the basic salary in Switzerland  across diverse job roles under specific industries:

 
Law Enforcement & Security: Average Salary – CHF 125’000 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Security Consultant

CHF 125’000

Source: Talent 

Hospitality & Travel: Average salary – CHF 116’025 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Chemist

CHF 102’765

Optometrist

CHF 92’500

Veterinarian

CHF 90’500

Pharmacist

CHF 82’500

Nurse

CHF 82’401

Source: Talent 

Journalism & Translation: Average Salary – CHF 114’326 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Writer

CHF 117’000

Translator

CHF 111’652

Source: Talent 

Engineering: Average salary – CHF 114’111 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Aerospace Engineer

CHF 165’750

Civil Engineer

CHF 130’000

Design Engineer

CHF 110’000

Project Engineer

CHF 110’000

Systems Engineer

CHF 110’000

Source: Talent 

Legal: Average salary – CHF 108’225 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Lawyer

CHF 130’000

Paralegal

CHF 86’450

Source: Talent 

Information Technology: Average salary – CHF 105’404 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Business Intelligence Analyst

CHF 127’500

Database Administrator

CHF 122’500

Network

CHF 120’000

Programmer

CHF 117’500

Data Analyst

CHF 110’000

Source: Talent 

Marketing & Sales: Average salary – CHF 102’275 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Content Writer

CHF 175’500

Marketing Analyst

CHF 156’000

Copywriter

CHF 132’048

Product Manager

CHF 112’450

Sales Engineer

CHF 110’000

Source: Talent 

Banking, Finance & Insurance: Average salary – CHF 101’106 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Actuarial

CHF 120’000

Business Analyst

CHF 120’000

Financial Analyst

CHF 107’750

Credit Analyst

CHF 95’550

Branch Manager

CHF 87’100

Source: Talent 

Accounting, Administration & Human Resources: Average salary – CHF 98’252 annually

Job Profile

Annually Average Income

Auditor

CHF 125’000

Project Manager

CHF 120’000

Accounting Manager

CHF 115’000

Controller

CHF 110’000

Receptionist

CHF 99’450

Source: Talent 

Retail, Cosmetics & Customer Service: Average salary – CHF 97’749 annually

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Buyer

CHF 110’000

Mystery Shopper

CHF 109’200

Store Manager

CHF 96’000

Customer Service Representative

CHF 75’797

Source: Talent 

Average salary for part-time workers in Switzerland

The average salary for Part-time workers in Switzerland is around CHF 38.87 per hour. Managing both coursework and financial responsibilities can be challenging for students. Part-time employment offers a practical solution that provides both income and the time to focus on learning. 

 

Here are some of the most common part-time jobs available for students in Switzerland:

 

Average annual salary for part-time worker

 

Type of Job

Average Pay per Hour 

Delivery Person

CHF 25

Teaching Assistant

CHF 24

Security Guard

CHF 24

Library Assistant

CHF 22

Call Center Agent

CHF 22

Private Tutor

CHF 21

Tourist Guide

CHF 20

Housekeeper

CHF 18

Dog Walker

CHF 16

Average salary in Switzerland: Citywise

The provincial salary variations in Switzerland are as follows:

 

Average monthly salary after tax - Citywise

 

City

Average monthly salary after tax

Zurich

CHF 5,808

Geneva

CHF 5,774

Basel

CHF 6,641

Lausanne

CHF 5,168

Source: LivingCost (Refer citywise pages)

 

Also Read: 9 important questions to ask your employer before accepting a job offer overseas.

Highest paying jobs in Switzerland

Certain roles in Switzerland command exceptional compensation due to the qualifications required for the job. These job roles are in industries like Healthcare & Life Sciences, Banking & Financial Services, Law and Information Technology.

 

Here is an overview of some of the highest-paying jobs in Switzerland:

 

Job title

Industry 

Average Salary 

Orthodontist

Healthcare & Life Sciences

CHF 260,000 

Chief Executive Officer

Open

CHF 205,000

Doctor / Surgeon

Healthcare & Life Sciences

CHF 203,000

Chief Financial Officer

Banking & Financial Services

CHF 178,000

Judge

Law

CHF 167,000

University Professor

Open

CHF 151,000

ITS Director / Architect

Information Technology

CHF 135,000

Lawyer

Law

CHF 125,000

Airline Pilot

Aviation 

CHF 121,000

Investment Banker

Banking & Financial Services

CHF 118,000

Source: Grab Jobs

Lowest/minimum paying jobs in Switzerland

Since Switzerland does not have a nationwide minimum wage, the wage range can vary by the canton. As of January 1st, 2024, the canton of Geneva implemented the highest minimum wage in the country, setting the hourly gross salary at CHF 24.32. 

 

This is a list of the lowest-paying jobs in Switzerland:

 

Job types

Industry 

Average monthly salary

Nursery School Teacher Assistant

Education, Science & Research

CHF 2’878

Social counsellor 

Medicine & Social Care

CHF 3’234

Medical Records Clerk

Medicine & Social Care

CHF 3’331

Tailor

Textile, Leather, Apparel Industry

CHF 3’406

Porter, Information Staff 

General labour

CHF 3’447 

Pre-school/School/ Kindergarten nurse

Medicine & Social Care

CHF 3’473

Housekeeper

Service Industries

CHF 3’502

Postal worker 

Transport, Haulage, Logistics

CHF 3’525

Cleaner

General labour

CHF 3’597

Assistant Teacher

Education, Science & Research

CHF 3’599

Source: Paylab

Salary with respect to experience

Switzerland’s economic stability and flourishing job market are closely tied to the performance of its skilled workforce. Experience is key to determining salary levels across industries.

 

Here is a brief overview of the pay scale in Switzerland based on years of experience:

 

Job types

Industry 

Average annual salary as per experience 

Fresher

Average

Experienced

Head Private Banking

Banking & Financial Services

CHF 250’000 

CHF 300’000 

CHF 500’000 

Medical Director

Healthcare & Life Sciences

CHF 160’000 

CHF 19’,000 

CHF 220’000 

Senior Legal Counsel

Legal & Compliance

CHF 140’000 

CHF 160’000 

CHF 180’000 

Full-stack Developer

Information Technology

CHF 90’000

CHF 120’000 

CHF 130’000 

Source: Michael Page – Switzerland

Also Read: 13 things you should know before signing your rental agreement abroad

Difference between median & average (mean) salary

Understanding Switzerland’s median income and mean levels helps to assess your financial standing. The mean income is often referred to as the average income and is calculated by summing up all the incomes and dividing the total by the number of earners.  

 

Here is an example for better understanding:

 

Employee 1

CHF 90’000

Employee 2

CHF 120’000

Employee 3

CHF 140’000 

Employee 4

CHF 160’000 

Employee 5

CHF 250’000 

 

To calculate the mean income, add all the salaries and divide by the number of employees.

(CHF 90’000 + CHF 120’000 + CHF 140’000 + CHF 160’000+ CHF 250’000)/5 = CHF 152’000

 

Hence, the mean or average income for this dataset is CHF 152’000.

To find the median income, arrange all salaries from lowest to highest. The median is the salary right in the middle of the list, in this case, CHF 140’000.

Before you go…

If you are planning to take advantage of Switzerland’s lucrative job market, you should start planning now. Research and understand  Switzerland’s average income, salary trends and financial management to make informed decisions. 

 

A crucial part of financial planning is having a reliable money transfer service whenever you need to send money to India from Switzerland. Instarem is a reliable fund transfer service that is secure and allows fast processingof funds. 

 

Moreover, Instarem offers competitive rates for conversions which makes international transactions affordable#  and accessible. This service is now available via the Instarem app, making the process even more convenient. 

 

The app can be downloaded using the App Store and Google Play

FAQs

Q. What is the current average salary in Switzerland?

The current average salary in Switzerland per month for a full-time worker is  CHF 5’430 after the tax cut.

 

Q. What is a good salary in Switzerland?

A good income in Switzerland can be subjective and depends on the lifestyle. However, a salary above CHF 5’430 per month is good enough to ensure a comfortable lifestyle.

 

Q. Which job has the highest salary in Switzerland?

A Company President or a Country Manager has the highest income in Switzerland. 

 

Q. Which job has the lowest salary in Switzerland?

Nursery School Teacher Assistants have the lowest income in Switzerland with an average monthly salary of CHF 2’878. 

 

Q. What is the average salary in Switzerland for IT professionals?

The average salary in Switzerland for IT professionals is around CHF 105’404 per year. 

 

Q. What is the average salary in Switzerland per month for an Indian?

Salaries for Indian nationals can vary widely based on factors such as industry, job role, location and experience. After the tax cut, the average salary for a full-time worker is CHF 5’430, irrespective of nationality.

 

Q. How do you find a job in Switzerland?

You can find a job in Switzerland by applying on websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, JobUp, Jobs.ch, SwissDevJobs and more. 

 

Other related blogs:

Germany – Average Salary in Germany

Australia – Average Salary in Australia

USA – Average Salary in USA

Canada – Average Salary in Canada

UK – Average Salary in UK

Singapore – Average salary in Singapore

Ireland – Average Salary in Ireland

Malaysia – Average salary in Malaysia

Japan – Average Salary in Japan

 

Disclaimers:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with the products or vendors mentioned.

* Fast meaning 75% of our transactions are completed in 15 minutes. Depending on the funding method.

#When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. Credit card funding and bank transfer fees can differ significantly. 

The currencies have been converted using the Forbes Currency Converter on 05th August, 2024.

 

Citations

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