SALARY IN SWITZERLAND
Switzerland is deservedly considered one of the most prosperous countries in Europe and around the world. The financial and banking services sector is highly developed in the state, and the production of high-tech products and consumer goods is well established.
Political, economic and social stability contributes to the successful functioning of Swiss business and systematic increase in incomes of Swiss citizens. Unemployment in the country does not exceed 2-4%, and if we exclude foreigners, only 2% of locals are officially unemployed.
Salaries in Switzerland are very high, and unlike some countries of the European Union, the tax burden is very moderate. On the other hand, the cost of living in the country, including food and rent prices, is prohibitive. Therefore, many Europeans from neighboring countries prefer to work in Switzerland during the day and return home in the evening.
Next, we will outline the minimum and average level of Swiss salaries in 2024, highlight tax rates, and compare labor remuneration by occupation, economic sector, and region.
CONTENTS
Minimum salary in Switzerland
Switzerland is a country with a free market economy, well-developed democratic institutions and an effective legal system. The principle of fair pay for all members of society, regardless of gender or race, is enshrined in the federal Constitution. Discrimination in employment is not permitted in principle. However, there is no such thing as an official minimum wage in Switzerland.
Important.. In 2014, Swiss citizens did not support the initiative to introduce a minimum wage of CHF 4,000 per month (CHF 22 per hour) by a majority vote in a referendum.
The level of pay, working hours, guaranteed vacation and other conditions of professional activity are agreed between the employee and representatives of the local company during the recruitment process. In addition, there are collective labor agreements between trade unions and the employers' federation that set minimum wage rates and other aspects of employment in specific industries.
Most collective agreements contain provisions stating that the minimum wage in Switzerland in 2024 should be between CHF 2,800 and 5,300 per month for qualified professionals and CHF 2,200 and 4,200 for unqualified workers. In terms of U.S. currency, that comes out to $3,010-5,700 and $2,365-4,515, respectively. That is, the minimum income in Switzerland, even before taxes, is quite substantial.
Minimum wage rates in Switzerland (francs per hour)
Unskilled workers –18.9
Unskilled workers with more than 4 years of work experience – 20.75
Qualified professionals with a Swiss university degree (EFZ certificate) or at least 3 years of professional education – 22.85.
Important.. The cantons of Jura, Neuchâtel and Ticino voted to introduce a minimum wage as of January 1, 2021. In addition, on September 27, 2020, Swiss voters in the canton of Geneva approved the minimum wage by a majority vote, and later residents of the canton of Basel-Stadt did the same.
| Canton | Rate (francs per hour) |
| Geneva | 24.32 |
| Basel-Stadt | 21.70 |
| Neuchâtel | 21.09 |
| Jura | 20.60 |
| Ticino | 19.75 |
Note. Employers in Geneva who fail to pay the minimum wage of 24.32 francs per hour are subject to an administrative fine of 30,000 francs.
Normally, the annual wage in Switzerland is based on a 13-month system. That is, employees are paid in equal monthly installments, and double in the last month of the year. The level of income depends on age, experience (seniority), qualifications, education, economic sector, working hours and the specific canton. You can calculate your salary in Switzerland online here.
Average salary in Switzerland
According to the Federal Statistical Office, the average salary in Switzerland in 2024 is 6,788 francs per month before taxes, which is equivalent to 7,620 dollars. At the same time, women receive 9.5% less than men – 6,397 and 7,066 francs respectively. In cities such as Geneva or Zurich, you can earn more. In the private sector, the average salary in Switzerland is 6,510 francs per month and in the public sector 8,094 francs.
Switzerland's population in 2024 is around 8.8 million, including 5 million employed persons. Job growth is recorded in almost all sectors, especially in insurance, hotels, catering, construction and the industrial sector as a whole. A slight decline is observed only in wholesale trade.
| Sector of economy | Average salary (francs per month) |
| Financial and insurance activities | 9,882 |
| Information and communication | 9,131 |
| Education | 8,577 |
| Public administration and education | 8,433 |
| Professional services | 8,110 |
| Real estate services | 7,005 |
| Manufacturing | 6,717 |
| Health and social services | 6,609 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 6,509 |
| Water, waste management | 6,447 |
| Construction | 6,410 |
| Mining and quarrying | 6,369 |
| Transportation and storage | 6,115 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 5,897 |
| Administrative and support services | 5,614 |
| Accommodation and catering services | 4,587 |
| Other services | 6,700 |
| Age | Average salary (francs per month) |
| Up to 29 years | 5,399 |
| 30-49 years | 7,042 |
| Over 50 years | 7,553 |
| Occupation | Average salary (francs per month) |
| Executives, senior officials and legislators | 10,770 |
| Administrative and commercial managers | 10,046 |
| Managers of production and specialized services | 9,585 |
| Information and communication technology specialists | 9,703 |
| Business and management professionals | 9,385 |
| Teachers | 9,375 |
| Legal, social and cultural professionals | 8,829 |
| Professionals in science and technology | 8,468 |
| Associate professionals in business and management | 7,319 |
| Health professionals | 7,728 |
| Information and Communication technicians | 7,588 |
| Technicians and Associate professionals | 7,325 |
| Associate professionals in science and technology | 7,319 |
| Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals | 6,827 |
| Security guards | 6,549 |
| Other clerical support workers | 6,233 |
| Workers in metallurgy, engineering and related industries | 6,217 |
| Workers in the electrical and electronics industry | 6,206 |
| Auxiliary clerical workers | 6,204 |
| Managers of hospitality, retail and other services | 6,118 |
| Workers in construction and related trades (excluding electricians) | 6,066 |
| Craft and allied trades workers | 6,049 |
| Health care associates | 5,963 |
| Digital and material data processing clerks | 5,910 |
| Craftsmen and printers | 5,866 |
| Customer service clerks | 5,793 |
| Assemblers | 5,725 |
| Stationary plant and machinery operators | 5,715 |
| Operators and assemblers of plant and machinery | 5,693 |
| Drivers and operators of mobile plant and machinery | 5,673 |
| Skilled workers in agriculture, forestry and fisheries | 5,479 |
| Garbage collectors and other simple laborers | 5,404 |
| Workers in mining, construction, manufacturing and transportation | 5,403 |
| Personal care workers | 5,370 |
| Workers in food processing, woodworking, garment and other craft and related occupations | 5,099 |
| Elementary occupations | 4,990 |
| Service and sales workers | 4,986 |
| Agricultural, forestry and fishery workers | 4,840 |
| Cleaners and helpers | 4,356 |
| Food preparation assistants | 4,227 |
| Region | Average salary (francs per month) |
| Zurich | 7,229 |
| Northwest Switzerland | 6,969 |
| Lake Geneva region | 6,849 |
| Central Switzerland | 6,779 |
| Mittelland | 6,752 |
| Eastern Switzerland | 6,344 |
| Ticino | 5,590 |
Note. Information on salaries by economic sector, age, occupation and region is based on official data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.
Cost of living in Switzerland
Living in Switzerland involves huge costs, which are not always compensated by high salaries. This is especially true in the major cities. For example, the cost of living in Zurich and Geneva is on average 15-25% higher than in London and 35-45% higher than in Paris.
The main costs in Switzerland:
Rent: from 1,500 francs for a modest studio in a bedroom neighborhood to 3,000 or more francs for a large apartment in the center.
Utility bills: 200-250 francs per month.
Food: 500-600 francs per month per person.
Transport: 70-100 francs per month by public transport or 100-200 francs per month by car.
Health care: minimum insurance amount is about 250 francs per month, but the cost may be higher depending on options and coverage.
Internet/mobile phone: 100 francs per month.
Clothing and leisure activities: 700-800 francs per month.
Payroll taxes in Switzerland
Switzerland's federal tax system is considered one of the most successful in the world, but is generally very complex. Taxes are levied at three levels - federal, cantonal and municipal. Accordingly, the aggregate rates differ in each region. Foreign workers are taxed directly from their salaries on the same basis as Swiss specialists. The employer is responsible for this.
| Taxable annual income | Base tax | Rate of the excess (%) | |
| 0 | 18,300 | – | – |
| 18,300 | 32,800 | – | 0.77 |
| 32,800 | 42,900 | 137.05 | 0.88 |
| 42,900 | 57,200 | 225.90 | 2.64 |
| 57,200 | 75,200 | 603.40 | 2.97 |
| 75,200 | 81,000 | 1,138.00 | 5.94 |
| 81,000 | 107,400 | 1,482.50 | 6.6 |
| 107,400 | 139,600 | 3,224.90 | 8.8 |
| 139,600 | 182,600 | 6,058.50 | 11 |
| 182,600 | 783,200 | 10,788.50 | 13.2 |
| Более 783,200 | 90,067.70 | 11.5 | |
Note.. Rates are for a single individual who is unmarried and has no minor children.
At the local level, the amount of tax payments depends on the canton. For example, in Zurich the maximum income tax rate of 13% is provided for annual income of 254.9 thousand francs. In Geneva, the highest rate of 19% is set for income over 616.2 thousand francs per year.
Foreign professionals residing in Switzerland and earning an annual salary of more than 120,000 francs (500,000 in Geneva) are required to file a tax return with a breakdown of their income sources and list assets in all countries of the world.
All employees in Switzerland are entitled to a minimum of four weeks of vacation per year, and young professionals (under 20 years of age) to five weeks. Most companies take out insurance to pay their employees 80% of their salary during long absences due to illness and some other reasons.
Working mothers (full-time or part-time) receive 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, and as of January 1, 2021, working fathers can also receive parental leave.
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