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What’s the outlook for the Swiss job market this autumn?

The prospects of finding a job in Switzerland towards the end of 2022 are promising, especially in certain sectors, a new study has shown.

Published: 13 September 2022 15:21 CEST

What's the outlook for the Swiss job market this autumn?

Photo by Patrick Federi on Unsplash

The outlook for the Swiss labor market will say positive towards the end of 2022 even with a worsening of the overall economic outlook, according to Swiss news agency Keystone-ATS.

Most sectors are recruiting, with the exception of finance, insurance and real estate, a new survey of 500 employers revealed.

However jobseekers with certain qualifications or experience are more in demand than others.

“Among the top 10 qualifications sought after are recycling and waste management, ecosystem and biodiversity management, human resources and cybersecurity,” said Jan Jacob, the head of Manpower Switzerland

According to the survey 500 employers carried out in August with 500 employers, 36 percent of companies said they plan to hire in the fourth quarter, while 16 percent plan to reduce their workforce. Some 42 percent of those companies surveyed see no change in staff levels in the coming months.

All Swiss regions reported positive job prospects, with particularly high scores in Ticino and Central Switzerland.

But 24 percent of companies surveyed in the Geneva region and 14 percent Zurich said they were planning to recruit.

“Considering that the survey was conducted in the context of geopolitical and economic risks, the war in Ukraine and the consequences of the pandemic, the hiring outlook is still positive,” Jacob said.

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How much can you expect to be paid in certain professions in Switzerland?

Thanks to a strong economy and the ability to weather many of the economic storms of the past few years, there is an increased focus on the alpine nation as a destination for job seekers.

A new report released by financial services company Conotoxia provides a fresh look at the average monthly salaries for Switzerland’s most significant job sectors, and the monthly costs that new arrivals can expect.

A commanding advantage

The good news is that Swiss workers enjoy a commanding salary advantage over many of their neighbours.

Conotoxia, which based its report on figures from Switzerland’s Federal Statistics Office states: “Switzerland is renowned for its high labour standards and competitive salaries. The average annual salary is 78,000 CHF or around €79,500.”

In comparison, the most recent figures from Eurostat, dating from 2022, place the average annual salary across the European Union at €33,500.

Wages in Switzerland do vary depending on the region and the specific position.

READ MORE: Which job sectors in Switzerland employ the most foreign workers?

Medical and IT are the strongest earners

Switzerland’s booming pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors – most visible in the country’s ‘Health Valley’ stretching between Geneva and Bern – have led to doctors and those with direct medical experience expecting to earn Switzerland’s highest monthly salaries.

Doctors, for example, can expect to earn an average of 8,000 CHF to 15,000 CHF monthly, whereas pharmacists can expect a monthly paycheque of between 7,000 CHF and 10,000 CHF.

With IT providing the backbone to many of Switzerland’s other industries—particularly banking—it is no surprise that programmers, developers, and system administrators can expect a sizeable monthly salary.

READ MORE: Which Swiss companies have the biggest gaps between high and low earners?

On average, IT professionals should earn between 7,000 CHF and 12,000 CHF.

Of course, those in the banking sector can also expect an excellent monthly salary. Conotoxia lists roles such as financial analyst earning between 7,000 CHF and 11,000 monthly – with salaries trending towards the higher end in Zurich, the country’s financial capital.

Other professions listed were as follows: electricians (5,200 CHF), pharmacists (7 to 10,000 CHF) hotel managers (5 to 8,000 CHF) University lecturers (6 to 10,000 CHF) sales managers (6,500 to 9,500 CHF) logistics specialists (5,500 to 8,000 CHF) and mechanical engineers (6,500 to 9,000 CHF)

A higher cost of living

Higher salaries, however, result in a higher cost of living for those coming to Switzerland from abroad.

Rents in Switzerland are among the highest in Europe and can range between 1,000 CHF for a studio apartment and 3,000 CHF for a larger apartment, especially in larger cities such as Geneva and Zurich, which are classed as among the world’s most expensive cities to live in.

READ MORE: Why are Zurich and Geneva among the world’s most expensive cities?

While essential utilities are not the most expensive in Europe, they are undoubtedly high.

According to the report, those living in Switzerland can expect to pay between up to 250 CHF a month for power, gas and water.

However, according to the quality of life database Numbeo, this is still well below the most expensive European country, Austria, where the average monthly cost of utilities is €335.69, and Germany, at €321.45.

The report also found that the average monthly cost of groceries was between 600 and 800 CHF, depending on the time of year.

READ MORE Can a family in Switzerland live well on a median salary?

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