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EARNINGS

What do teachers earn in Switzerland – and where do they earn the most?

The phrase ‘teachers should be paid more’ was repeated so often by parents who found themselves juggling their work and their kids during the coronavirus lockdown that it became a cliche.

Published: 26 August 2020 17:23 CEST
Updated: 17 May 2022 13:51 CEST
What do teachers earn in Switzerland - and where do they earn the most?
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

But what do teachers actually get paid in Switzerland – and how does this differ from canton to canton? 

An extensive assessment of teacher salaries put together by Switzerland’s Watson newspaper has revealed teacher salaries across the country. 

The wage levels are broken down according to different schooling levels. 

Kindergarten teachers

There is a significant divergence in wages earned by kindergarten teachers across Switzerland. 

In Zurich, kindergarten teachers earn CHF86,000 – which is around CHF5,000 than anywhere else in Switzerland. 

Kindergarten teachers in Graubünden, in the east of Switzerland and under three hours away, earn CHF60,000 – the least anywhere in the country. 

There is hope however for teachers earning less than some of their national counterparts, with significant increases in teacher salaries in the past year. 

The annual amount rose by almost CHF8,000 in Schaffhausen, CHF5,000 in Basel and CHF3,388 in Bern. 

The average wage for kindergarten teachers in Switzerland is CHF73,963 (+CHF730 compared to 2019), while the maximum is CHF112,311 (+CHF1071 compared to 2019). 

Primary school

Geneva has the highest salary for primary school teachers (CHF97,000), who receive the same amount as their secondary and high school level counterparts. 

Ticino primary school teachers are paid the lowest (CHF65,800). 

The average wage for a primary school teachers in Switzerland is CHF77,800, while the maximum wage is CHF117,700. 

Secondary school

Zurich again least the way when it comes to teacher salaries – teachers in Switzerland’s most populous canton earn just under CHF100,000. 

Geneva is just behind in second spot, while the tiny canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden is in third. 

Nidwalden, where secondary school teachers earn CHF85,000 is the lowest in the country. 

“Hi Miss, why did you move to Zurich?” Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

High school

High school teachers earn the most in Zug, followed by Zurich and Thurgau. 

Teachers in these three cantons earn CHF118,000, 112,000 and 111,500 respectively. 

Neuchâtel is on the bottom of the list for high school teachers, although teachers still earn more than CHF80,000 per year. 

For more information on what teachers earn in each part of Switzerland – as well as what vocational teachers take home – please click here. 

A version of this story was originally published in August 2021. 

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JOBS

What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

Looking for a new job in Switzerland? We've put together some tips on where to search for that new role.

Published: 8 March 2024 15:58 CET
Updated: 24 April 2024 13:39 CEST
What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

The good news is that, as a country that serves as a world centre of finance, pharmaceuticals, and research, Switzerland offers an environment very friendly to English speakers. Unlike some European countries, hiring is a flexible and open process. 

That said, some hints will help you in your Swiss job search. 

Know where to look 

Before beginning your job search, knowing where most of your industry’s jobs are is essential. 

As The Local Switzerland has previously discussed, Zurich is Switzerland’s financial capital, whereas most pharmaceutical players are based in Basel. 

The life sciences are concentrated in ‘Health Valley’, stretching from Geneva to Montreaux. 

Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, and St Gallen also have large universities that employ many researchers from abroad. 

Knowing where jobs are based will allow you to concentrate your search, and give you the time to more fully research and understand the needs of particular companies.

READ MORE: Where are the jobs in Switzerland for English speakers?

Develop your Xing as well as your LinkedIn profile

Most job seekers within professional working environments will have a LinkedIn profile to share with prospective employers. 

Xing is also a significant player in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and it’s normal for German-speaking professionals to have an accompanying profile on that platform. 

Developing your presence on Xing can demonstrate that you are gaining a greater understanding of the Swiss working environment and establishing yourself as a long-term investment. 

READ MORE: Can you find a job in Zurich if you don’t speak German?

Use specialised job boards 

While many of the big job boards operate in Switzerland—Indeed and Monster, for example—several job boards focus on Swiss jobs specifically or service a key segment of the job market. 

Jobs.ch, jobup.ch, and Jobscout24 are popular sites within Switzerland and are often the first port of call for job seekers. Each has an English version and a user-friendly interface.

Several specialist job boards exist for specialised roles, such as those in the IT or medical research sectors.

Using a profession-based job board allows employers to draw from a more concentrated talent pool while offering job seekers a more significant opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills. 

SwissDevJobs.ch is a popular destination for IT professionals, whereas Praxisstellen.ch specialises in pharmaceutical and medical research jobs. SwissTopJobs.ch is an excellent place to look for C-suite jobs in the finance and banking sectors. 

Networking is essential 

While there is often a perception that job hunting in Switzerland is very process-oriented, you may be surprised to learn that many positions are filled via word of mouth. 

Suppose you have friends or former colleagues already found a position within a Swiss firm. In that case, asking what positions are opening and whether you could apply is not unreasonable or rude. 

Word of mouth and hiring through connections are common in the Swiss IT field, but they are also common within several other industries, particularly among startups. 

Read More: Where are Switzerland’s biggest international companies?

Use your initiative 

You may also be surprised to hear that simply applying to a firm with your resume isn’t looked down upon in Switzerland (or the German-speaking world). 

This is known as an Initiativbewerbung (or simply ‘application on the initiative’), and employers often regard it very favourably.

To make an Initiativbewerbung, you’ll need your Anschreiben or lettre de motivation (cover letter), Lebenslauf or resume (curriculum vitae or CV), testimonials from other employers, and copies of any relevant certificates or qualifications. 

When naming these files, remember to use the German terms—it will help when they are searched for later!

It’s worth taking the time to identify and address your application directly to the head or manager of the particular department you’re looking to work within. This will create a stronger impression, and there’s less chance of losing it in the daily flow of emails and information. 

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