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JOBS

REVEALED: What are the best and worst paid jobs in Switzerland?

Switzerland is known for high salaries. But which jobs are the best paid - and which are not?

Published: 12 May 2021 12:00 CEST
Updated: 13 May 2021 10:03 CEST
REVEALED: What are the best and worst paid jobs in Switzerland?
A generic sign says 'now hiring'. Job vacancies are up in Austria. Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP

Switzerland has released its annual salary book which chronicles the average wage for major jobs in Switzerland.

Not only does it indicate average wages, but also how much a person can expect to earn if they gain additional experience.

The book is released yearly and takes into account salaries across the country from a variety of sources.

“The approximately 9400 details come from collective employment contracts as well as recommendations and statistics” Livia Tosoni, the author of the payroll book, told Swiss news outlet 20 Minutes.

While the salaries listed in the report do not provide an exact picture of what people are actually earning every month, they do give a key insight into which jobs are well paid and which are not.

A summary of the 2019 and 2018 versions of the book can be seen by clicking the links.

Tosoni said that the study’s findings do not showcase the full impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The currently available data from the wage surveys and the collective wage agreements do not yet allow any solid statements on this,” Tosoni said.

“Based on today’s knowledge, we assume that the wage development from 2020 to 2021 was lower than in other years.”

An abridged version of the study can be found here.

How much do people earn in Switzerland on average?

Swiss wages published by the Federal Statistical Office (OFS) shed light on some interesting facts, including on how much foreign workers earn compared to their Swiss counterparts.

According to FSO’s Swiss Earnings Structure Survey of 2018, the last year for which official statistics are available, the median monthly wage in Switzerland is 6,538 francs.

The salaries have not dramatically changed since then.

The study shows that the lowest-paid 10 percent of employees earned less than 4,302 francs per month, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned nearly 11,700 a month.

More information about wages in Switzerland can be found at the following link.

Swiss salaries: How much do people earn in Switzerland?

What are the highest paid professions?

As with the results from previous years, the highest paid job in Switzerland is a Chief Financial Officer, which has an average monthly salary of 14,231 francs (before tax).

Pilots are also highly paid – the impacts of the coronavirus notwithstanding – taking home 8,365 to 9,361 francs per year.

While doctors will earn a strong salary of 8,076, a chief doctor or physician will take home 13,030 francs per month.

Credit and risk managers take home 8,788 francs a month.

Teachers in Switzerland earn 6,647 francs per month (Kindergarten) and between 7,093 and 7,516 francs per month in primary or high school.

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

What about the lowest paid?

At the other end of the spectrum, flight attendants earned one of the lowest wages when it came to non-apprentice workers.

Flight attendants in Switzerland earn 3,400 francs per month, rising to 3,500 per month from the third year.

Employees in smaller shops and kiosks earn 3,700 per month, rising to 3,900 from the fifth year of service.

READ MORE: How much do freelancers earn in Switzerland?

The rate is higher in Switzerland’s supermarket chains, where collective labor agreements help push up the average salaries.

At Coop and Migros, the salary is 4,200 francs, while at Lidl the average monthly pay is 4,350 francs.

Working in the service industry – although obviously one of the hardest hit occupations due to the pandemic – pays an average of 4,195 francs per month.

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For members

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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