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COST OF LIVING

How much do freelancers earn in Switzerland?

Freelancing in Switzerland or thinking about it? Here’s how much you’d be likely to earn.

Published: 4 March 2021 17:22 CET
Should you become a freelancer in Switzerland?
Photo by Ewan Robertson on Unsplash

Switzerland is famously expensive, but wages are high by international comparison. 

From doctors to teachers, workers in Switzerland can expect a much higher wage than most countries. 

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

But does the same apply to freelancers? 

Why would someone work freelance in Switzerland? 

The benefits of being a freelancer in Switzerland are the same as anywhere else – as are the disadvantages. 

You can set your own hours and pursue tasks you really want to pursue – rather than those foisted upon you by your boss. 

There are also greater risks however, as freelancers have less of a safety net than employees. 

Do you want to stop walking through this door? Then you could go freelance. Photo by Olivier Collet on Unsplash

Freelancing may entail greater risk than working as an employee, but there is also the possibility of greater reward. 

Unlike in some other countries, freelancers are not treated differently for tax purposes – meaning that anyone seriously considering going freelance would not have to worry about extra administrative headaches and a glut of paperwork. 

How common is freelancing in Switzerland? 

According to consultancy firm Deloitte, approximately 25 percent of people in Switzerland work as a freelancer. 

This figure includes all forms of self-employment, from freelance journalists to buskers and one-man burrito stand owners. 

How much do freelancers earn in Switzerland? 

Of course, how much you earn depends on the industry you are in, your experience and a raft of other factors. 

However, the average salary of self-employed people in Switzerland is CHF80,000 (before tax), according to Swiss jobs site Job Cloud. 

Salaries range between 49,000 francs per year (considered ‘low income’) and a high of 170,833 francs per year (high income). 

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about minimum wage in Switzerland

Which freelance jobs have the highest average salary? 

Freelancers in the legal or business advice area earn the highest, with an average of around 250,000 francs, followed by consultants (150,000 francs), luxury goods (147,500 francs) and public administration (122,756 francs). 

Transport, catering and the service sector all rank among the lowest, with salaries in the CHF50-55,000 range. 

Who earns more: employees or freelancers in Switzerland? 

Much like the above question, it will depend on so many different factors that it is almost impossible to tell. 

Job Cloud do not provide an average wage across all of Switzerland for employees. Instead, this is broken down on the basis of industry type. 

According to Swiss recruitment agency Mundialz, the average wage for employees in Switzerland is 78,000 before tax, which is roughly the same figure as that of a freelancer. 

While it does of course depend on your industry, the similarity in wage may serve as an incentive – or a disincentive – for anyone considering making the switch to become a freelancer in Switzerland. 

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GENEVA

‘Things have changed’: Can you get a job in Geneva without speaking French?

Geneva must be up there when picturing an international city where language is no barrier. Does this hold true for those looking for a job? 

Published: 15 March 2024 14:23 CET
Updated: 23 March 2024 08:42 CET
'Things have changed': Can you get a job in Geneva without speaking French?

Organisations such as the International Red Cross, the World Health Organisation, and the United Nations are either based in Geneva or have a significant presence there. 

Furthermore, the Geneva region has a population of over half a million, making it an ideal base for global businesses to reach Swiss (and European) markets. 

There is no doubt that the city is a centre of international diplomacy and business and has been for decades. 

Having said that, how hard is it to find a job in Switzerland’s largest francophone city? Or indeed anywhere in Suisse Romande in general? Do you have a chance of securing a role without French language skills? 

The expert view

Recruiters think you might find it challenging if you’re not planning to work for one of the major international bodies. 

Anthony Caffon, Director of Finance at Michael Page, a significant regional recruiter, told The Local: “From our perspective, as a large operator in West Switzerland, only a few roles don’t require candidates to speak French. 

“A few years ago, there was indeed a shortage of skills in the market, and coupled with major multinational companies located here, companies were open to employing non-French speakers. 

“We now notice a change. French is required in 90 percent of the roles we recruit outside international organisations. 

“Organisations would only take on non-French speakers in some highly technical roles, for which there is absolutely no local talent pool,” he said.

‘It was critical for wider job opportunities’

However, when surveyed, readers of The Local had differing perspectives on whether not knowing French was a hindrance to searching for a job in Geneva. 

Sofia, an American, responded: “It depends on the job and sector. French is desirable but not required for international organisations, NGOs, and many private companies such as EA Games or financial companies like Barclays.”

However, she noted that speaking French became more essential when settling in the country.

“It was critical for my Swiss naturalisation, but also to have a wider spectrum of job opportunities and better working relationships.”

Generally, to apply for Swiss citizenship in the canton of Geneva, one must achieve French oral B1 and written A2, as set in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). 

Michael, who lives near Lausanne, agreed with Sofia, telling The Local: “It depends if you work for a multinational or a local company.” 

“If you work for a multinational or Swiss company, you need French. But you can generally use English in the office at Nestle, BAT, PMI, Novartis, or WHO.”

Another respondent, Phil, believed that speaking French would assist in job searching. 

He stated, “I think it depends on your industry. If you work in the pharmaceutical area, then just English is fine.

“If you speak French, however, I think it’s easier to understand the application process and job descriptions.”

A Briton, Katie, thought speaking French could also help smooth the way when starting a new role in Geneva. 

She responded: “It shows you are curious about where you live. It helps build relationships with colleagues and, of course, for some jobs, it is needed.”

‘You can get by fine’

Those seeking to work in Geneva who don’t speak French shouldn’t fret just yet. 

An anonymous respondent from Ireland told The Local: “Some basic French is needed not to look utterly dysfunctional in casual social settings, but if the business works in English, then that is generally sufficient. 

“Once you can complete the technical requirements of your job well, you can get by fine,” they said.

“Some employers will specify that French and English are requirements on the job listings, even if you only need English to do the job. 

“Not having any French can put people off applying for many openings when, in fact, they might be fine applying anyway.”

What have you experienced finding a job in Geneva? Did you need French skills? Let us know in the comments. 

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