Zurich and Geneva are among the top cities in the world for expat salaries, according to this year’s HSBC expat salary survey. The average expat can look forward to a pay packet of $206,875 (CHF191,960) in third-place Zurich and $184,942 in fifth-place Geneva.
The survey by HSBCExternal link defined expats as “an international community unified by the decision to experience life in a country other than the one they consider home”.
Despite Switzerland’s notorious living costs, 77% of expats in Zurich and 65% in Geneva reported that their disposable income had increased since moving.
The world’s highest-paid expats live in Mumbai and San Francisco, earning on average $217,165 and $207,227 respectively. Asia dominated the ranking, containing four of the top ten cities for expat salaries.
The HSBC survey has been conducted for the past ten years and compares the salaries of expats living in more than 159 countries.
More
More
Expats in Switzerland like the safety but not the locals
This content was published on
In expat heaven, safety levels are Swiss, leisure options are South African, teachers are Finnish and neighbours are Mexican. And expat hell?
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
UBS has cut 10,000 jobs since Credit Suisse takeover in 2023
This content was published on
UBS Group has cut more than 10,000 roles since it bought Credit Suisse, marking a milestone in the lender’s efforts to integrate its former rival.
Swiss multinational SGS to move HQ from Geneva to Zug
This content was published on
The Swiss multinational SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, plans to move its headquarters from Geneva to canton Zug in central Switzerland.
Swiss army takes part in international tank competition
This content was published on
Around 20 Swiss army personnel and two Leopard 2 tanks are taking part in an international tank competition in Grafenwöhr, Germany, this week.
Omega-3 supplements seem to slow ageing process, Swiss study finds
This content was published on
Taking a daily omega-3 supplement appears to slow down the rate of biological ageing by up to four months, according to a study by researchers at the University of Zurich.
This content was published on
The Swiss writer and translator Alain Claude Sulzer has been awarded the Solothurn Literary Days Prize 2025 for his lifetime's work.
Prix de Lausanne features 85 dancers from 23 countries
This content was published on
The 53rd Prix de Lausanne international ballet competition is underway. A total of 85 young dancers from 23 countries are competing in the Swiss city.
Swiss Solidarity charity collected CHF34 million in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss Solidarity, the humanitarian arm of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), raised CHF34.4 million ($37.7 million) in donations in 2024 and spent CHF63 million on humanitarian projects.
This content was published on
According to salary data from the Conference of Education Directors for German-speaking Switzerland, a Zurich-area upper secondary school teacher – the highest academic level besides university – can expect to earn CHF110,590 in the first year, or CHF8,506 per month under the Swiss 13-month salary system. But a teacher in the same job in neighbouring…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.