Skip to content
Paygrade

Switzerland · CHF · 2026

Salaries in Switzerland

What 32 careers pay in Switzerland, highest first. The middle of the table sits around CHF 92,000 a year; surgeons lead at CHF 260,000.

# Career Industry Entry Median Senior Hourly
1 Surgeon Healthcare CHF 185k CHF 260,000 CHF 485k CHF 119
2 Investment Banker Finance CHF 130k CHF 210,000 CHF 725k CHF 96
3 Air Traffic Controller Aviation CHF 97k CHF 180,000 CHF 260k CHF 82.50
4 Commercial Pilot Aviation CHF 71k CHF 180,000 CHF 535k CHF 82.50
5 Quantitative Analyst Finance CHF 105k CHF 165,000 CHF 470k CHF 75.50
6 Machine Learning Engineer Technology CHF 100k CHF 145,000 CHF 305k CHF 66.50
7 Actuary Finance CHF 77k CHF 135,000 CHF 275k CHF 62
8 Dentist Healthcare CHF 97k CHF 135,000 CHF 245k CHF 62
9 Lawyer Legal CHF 62k CHF 130,000 CHF 385k CHF 59.50
10 Aerospace Engineer Aviation CHF 72k CHF 120,000 CHF 175k CHF 55
11 Data Scientist Technology CHF 70k CHF 120,000 CHF 200k CHF 55
12 Product Manager Technology CHF 82k CHF 120,000 CHF 225k CHF 55
13 Software Engineer Technology CHF 79k CHF 119,388 CHF 181k CHF 54.50
14 DevOps Engineer Technology CHF 77k CHF 115,000 CHF 200k CHF 52.50
15 Cybersecurity Analyst Technology CHF 65k CHF 110,000 CHF 185k CHF 50.50
16 Project Manager Technology CHF 70k CHF 110,000 CHF 170k CHF 50.50
17 Elevator Technician Skilled Trades CHF 52k CHF 92,000 CHF 140k CHF 42
18 Pharmacist Healthcare CHF 77k CHF 92,000 CHF 120k CHF 42
19 Physician Assistant Healthcare CHF 71k CHF 88,000 CHF 125k CHF 40.50
20 UX Designer Technology CHF 61k CHF 88,000 CHF 160k CHF 40.50
21 Compliance Officer Legal CHF 65k CHF 84,000 CHF 165k CHF 38.50
22 Registered Nurse Healthcare CHF 60k CHF 84,000 CHF 125k CHF 38.50
23 Data Analyst Technology CHF 55k CHF 78,000 CHF 130k CHF 35.50
24 Electrician Skilled Trades CHF 62k CHF 77,184 CHF 101k CHF 35.50
25 Aircraft Mechanic Aviation CHF 68k CHF 77,000 CHF 115k CHF 35.50
26 Financial Analyst Finance CHF 56k CHF 77,000 CHF 130k CHF 35.50
27 Accountant Finance CHF 52k CHF 73,000 CHF 130k CHF 33.50
28 Plumber Skilled Trades CHF 60k CHF 73,000 CHF 125k CHF 33.50
29 HVAC Technician Skilled Trades CHF 60k CHF 69,000 CHF 85k CHF 31.50
30 Flight Attendant Aviation CHF 31k CHF 60,000 CHF 92k CHF 27.50
31 Paralegal Legal CHF 40k CHF 54,000 CHF 92k CHF 24.50
32 Welder Skilled Trades CHF 49k CHF 50,000 CHF 105k CHF 23

Gross annual pay before tax. Hourly rates assume a standard 42-hour week. How we estimate these figures.

Working in Switzerland

Switzerland pays the highest salaries in Europe, with Zurich and Geneva leading in finance, pharma and tech. Costs are equally extreme; the salary premium is real but smaller after rent and insurance.

Tax

Income tax is low by European standards and varies sharply by canton. Basic health insurance is compulsory and paid separately as a monthly premium, which adds noticeably to living costs.

Tools and guides for Switzerland

Questions about pay in Switzerland

What is the highest-paying job in Switzerland?

Of the 32 careers Paygrade tracks, surgeons earn the most in Switzerland, with a median of about CHF 260,000 a year in 2026. Investment bankers (CHF 210,000) and air traffic controllers (CHF 180,000) follow.

What is the best-paid job in Switzerland without a degree?

Air traffic controllers earn a median of about CHF 180,000 a year in Switzerland, and the usual route in is certification rather than a university degree.

How much tax will I pay on a salary in Switzerland?

Income tax is low by European standards and varies sharply by canton. Basic health insurance is compulsory and paid separately as a monthly premium, which adds noticeably to living costs.