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Average Salary in Switzerland 2024

How much money does a person working in Switzerland make?


Average Yearly Salary
124,000 CHF
( 10,400 CHF monthly)

LOW
31,300
CHF
AVERAGE
124,000
CHF
HIGH
553,000
CHF
All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

A person working in Switzerland typically earns around 124,000 CHF. Salaries range from 31,300 CHF (lowest average) to 553,000 CHF (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).


Salary Variance

This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Switzerland vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.



Pay Scale and Salaries in Switzerland

Median and salary distribution Switzerland yearly
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Salary Structure and Pay Scale Comparison

5% of people earn
235,000 CHF or more
10% of people earn
184,000 to 235,000 CHF
20% of people earn
71,600 CHF or less
65% of people earn
71,600 to 184,000 CHF
Minimum Salary
31,300 CHF
Median
108,000 CHF
Maximum
553,000 CHF




Median Salary, maximum and minimum salary, minimum wage, starting salary, and the salary range

All salary figures displayed here are per year except when noted otherwise.
  • Salary Range, Minimum Wage, and Starting Salary

    Salaries in Switzerland range from 31,300 CHF (starting salary) to 553,000 CHF (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.

  • Median Salary

    The median salary is 108,000 CHF, which means that 50% of the population in Switzerland earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.

  • Percentiles and Salary Scale

    Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Switzerland earn less than 78,100 CHF while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 164,000 CHF while 25% earn more than that.

  • Pay Scale Structure

    We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Switzerland. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 71,600 CHF to 184,000 CHF. Approximately 20% fall under the 71,600 CHF cap. Ten percent of wages are from 184,000 CHF to 235,000 CHF. Only 5% of people grossed 235,000 CHF or more.

Salary Comparison by Years of Experience

How does a person's salary progress over time?

Salary Comparison By Experience Level
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Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.

In Switzerland, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.

Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.

After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.

These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.


Change in salary based on experience varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of many different jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.
On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark.
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.

Salary Comparison By Education

How does the education level affect your salary?

Salary Comparison By Education
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Change in salary based on education varies drastically from one location to another and depends hugely on the career field as well. The data displayed here is the combined average of multiple jobs. To view accurate figures, choose a specific job title.

The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?

We conducted a study in Switzerland comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.

Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.

Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.

Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.

Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.


Is investing in a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Is pursuing higher education worth the investment?

Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Switzerland is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 51,800 CHF to 155,000 CHF and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.

Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.

Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.



Salary and Compensation Comparison By Gender / Switzerland

Salary comparison by gender Switzerland yearly
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Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Switzerland, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 4% across all career fields.

Male
127,000 CHF
Female-4%
122,000 CHF
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value


Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Switzerland

How much are annual salary increments in Switzerland? How often do employees get salary raises?

Switzerland

Employees in Switzerland are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 9% every 15 months.

Annual Salary Increment Rate Switzerland
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The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.

The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.

How to calculate the salary increment percentage?

The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency

The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Switzerland is 7%.

Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs

World Average Annual Salary Increment
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Salary Packages and Schemes

Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.



Bonus and Incentive Rates in Switzerland

How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?Annual Salary Bonus Rate Switzerland
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47% of surveyed staff in Switzerland reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 53% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.

Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 3% to 5% of their annual salary.

Received Bonus
53%
No Bonus
47%

Types of Bonuses Considered

Individual Performance-Based Bonuses

The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.

Company Performance Bonuses

Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.

Goal-Based Bonuses

Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.

Holiday / End of Year Bonuses

These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.

Bonuses Are Not Commissions!

People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.


Bonus Rates Comparison by Career Field

Finance
High
Architecture
High
Sales
High
Business Development
High
Marketing / Advertising
High
Information Technology
Moderate
Healthcare
Moderate
Insurance
Moderate
Customer Service
Moderate
Human Resources
Moderate
Construction
Low
Transport
Low
Hospitality
Low

What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?

The main two types of jobs

Revenue GeneratorsSupporting Cast

Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business.

Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations.

Example:
A graphics designer working for a graphics designing company.

Example:
A graphic designer in the marketing department of a hospital.


Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.

Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.

Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level

Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.

Salaries for popular jobs. Salaries by occupations.

Job TitleAverage Salary
Accounting and Finance
Accountant91,000 CHF
Accounting Assistant71,900 CHF
Accounting Manager184,000 CHF
Bookkeeper61,300 CHF
Chartered Accountant114,000 CHF
Corporate Treasurer180,000 CHF
Financial Analyst160,000 CHF
Financial Manager259,000 CHF
Internal Auditor122,000 CHF

Administration / Reception / Secretarial
Administrative Assistant65,900 CHF
Office Manager112,000 CHF
Receptionist63,900 CHF
Secretary54,700 CHF

Advertising / Graphic Design / Events
Art Director123,000 CHF
Creative Director132,000 CHF
Graphic Designer79,800 CHF
Photographer71,700 CHF

Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense
Aerospace Engineer158,000 CHF
Air Traffic Controller137,000 CHF
Flight Attendant88,300 CHF
Pilot210,000 CHF

Architecture
Architect155,000 CHF
CAD Drafter62,000 CHF

Automotive
Mechanic49,900 CHF
Service Advisor84,800 CHF

Banking
Bank Branch Manager235,000 CHF
Teller48,500 CHF

Bilingual
Teacher95,600 CHF
Translator114,000 CHF

Business Planning
Business Analyst153,000 CHF
Business Development Manager210,000 CHF
Project Manager155,000 CHF

Care Giving and Child Care
Nanny51,100 CHF
Nursery Teacher46,600 CHF

Construction / Building / Installation
Civil Engineer121,000 CHF
Construction Project Manager220,000 CHF
Health and Safety Officer54,700 CHF

Customer Service and Call Center
Call Center Representative46,600 CHF
Customer Service Manager166,000 CHF
Customer Service Representative46,600 CHF

Engineering
Civil Engineer118,000 CHF
Electrical Engineer130,000 CHF
Engineer115,000 CHF
Mechanical Engineer122,000 CHF

Executive and Management
Chief Executive Officer300,000 CHF
Chief Financial Officer268,000 CHF
General Manager215,000 CHF
Project Manager145,000 CHF

Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering
Chef75,700 CHF
Executive Chef89,400 CHF
Hotel Manager230,000 CHF
Receptionist47,000 CHF
Travel Agent81,400 CHF
Waiter / Waitress41,100 CHF

Health and Medical
Dentist301,000 CHF
Dietitian257,000 CHF
Laboratory Technician97,000 CHF
Nurse99,800 CHF

Human Resources
Human Resources Manager184,000 CHF
Human Resources Officer76,800 CHF

Information Technology
Computer Technician101,000 CHF
Database Administrator124,000 CHF
Developer / Programmer122,000 CHF
Information Technology Manager218,000 CHF
Network Engineer110,000 CHF

Law Enforcement / Security / Fire
Police Officer76,000 CHF

Legal
Attorney245,000 CHF
Legal Assistant66,500 CHF

Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment
Journalist150,000 CHF

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology
Biomedical Engineer106,000 CHF
Pharmacist160,000 CHF

Sales Retail and Wholesale
Cashier49,900 CHF
Sales Manager219,000 CHF
Sales Representative83,200 CHF

Teaching / Education
Elementary School Teacher85,400 CHF
Secondary School Teacher102,000 CHF

Average Hourly Wage in Switzerland


60 CHF per hour

The average hourly wage (pay per hour) for all employees in Switzerland is 60 CHF.This is the rate that the average individual gets paid for every worked hour.


Hourly Wage = Annual Salary / ( 52 x 5 x 8 )

About The Hourly Pay Rate

The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.

What is the minimum hourly rate of pay?

The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Switzerland is 15 CHF. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.

Salary Comparison By City

CityAverage Salary
Basel132,000 CHF
Bern127,000 CHF
Biel116,000 CHF
Geneve135,000 CHF
Lausanne130,000 CHF
Lugano118,000 CHF
Luzern123,000 CHF
St. Gallen120,000 CHF
Winterthur125,000 CHF
Zurich137,000 CHF

Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison

Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Switzerland is 4% on average across all career fields.

Private Sector
122,000 CHF
Public Sector+4%
127,000 CHF
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value

Salary Statistics and Calculation Guide

What is considered to be a good and competitive salary in Switzerland?

It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Switzerland would range anywhere between 108,000 CHF and 164,000 CHF.

Gross Salary (before tax) and Net Salary (after tax)

All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.

Base / Basic Salary

The base salary in Switzerland ranges from 31,300 CHF to 78,100 CHF. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.


What is the difference between the median and the average salary?

Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary


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