Average Salary in Switzerland: Salaries by City and Experience

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:

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

Source: Talent 

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

Source: Talent 

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

Source: Talent 

Engineering: Average salary – CHF 114’111 annually

Source: Talent 

Legal: Average salary – CHF 108’225 annually

Source: Talent 

Information Technology: Average salary – CHF 105’404 annually

Source: Talent 

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

Source: Talent 

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

Source: Talent 

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

Source: Talent 

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

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 salary in Switzerland: Citywise

The provincial salary variations in Switzerland are as follows:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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 processing* of 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

• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?locations=CH . [1]
• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=CH  [2]
• https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?locations=CH  [3]