When a job becomes available in Switzerland, the employer has to give priority to Swiss nationals before looking at candidates from the European Union and EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein).

And then it’s only when no one from Switzerland or EU / EFTA steps forward, that companies can extend their search to people from so-called ‘third countries’. 

But that doesn’t mean that the employer has the right to pay the foreign worker less than they would pay a Swiss person. 

That’s because Switzerland’s labour law prohibits discrimination based on a person’s nationality, gender, religion, ethnicity, and sexual orientation.

Additionally, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), by which Switzerland is bound, stipulates that EU / EFTA citizens cannot be treated unfavourably, particularly in terms of salary, merely because of their nationality. Switzerland doesn’t have such treaties with third nations, but the non-discrimination clause applies to all foreigners.

Under what circumstances could foreign nationals earn higher wages than their Swiss counterparts?

There are several cases when this could — and does — happen.

If, for instance, a person from abroad is better qualified for a given job, has a higher level of education and seniority over their Swiss colleagues, then a higher pay would be justified.

In other words, it is not the nationality that determines the salary but what the employee can bring to the company. This means you have every chance of earning more than a Swiss employee, as long as you have the skills your company needs.

And this is not just a theory — data released by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) indicates that in some instances, foreigners earn more than the Swiss. 

In what positions do foreigners make more money than the Swiss?

Again according to the FSO, foreign-born managers often earn more than the Swiss.

In middle and upper management, those with a B permit have highest salaries: they earn on average 12,791 francs a month, according to research.

Next are those with a C permit, who earn 11,495 francs a month. G permit holders — that is, cross-border workers — earn 10,707 francs.

All of them have higher wages than the Swiss in comparable positions, who earn, on average, 10,476 francs a month.

At the bottom of the scale are holders of short-term permit L, with a salary of ‘only’ 8,659 a month.

The same pattern (though with lower overall wages) can be seen among those working in lower management positions: here, C permit holders earn the most — 9,254 francs a month.

They are closely followed by B permits (9,251), with the Swiss in the third position (8,873).

Cross-border workers and L permit holders earn 8,650 and 5,940, respectively.

READ ALSO: In which jobs in Switzerland do foreign workers earn more than the Swiss? 

All this goes to prove that in certain positions that require specialised know-how, foreigners sometimes have an upper hand over the Swiss.