Who takes home more – a pharmacist or a logistics manager? An assistant doctor or a head nurse? In this year’s Swiss salary round-up, we focus on the people working especially hard during the coronavirus crisis.
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Not content to mind her own business, Susan studied journalism in Boston so she’d have the perfect excuse to put herself in other people’s shoes and worlds. When not writing, she presents and produces podcasts and videos.
A drug developer in Switzerland earns CHF11,100. The pharmacists distributing the drugs start at CHF6,900. A pharmacist over 40 with 15 years of experience earns CHF8,500.
Keystone / Ti-press / Pablo Gianinazzi
Manufacturing
Someone who makes paper products or soap would generally start at CHF3,900 per month. The rate approaches CHF6,000-CHF7,000 with training and experience.
Keystone / Urs Flueeler
Groceries
A baker with a federal degree earns CHF4,100. For an assistant cheesemaker it’s CHF4,975, while the head cheesemaker gets CHF5,875. The starting wage for a supermarket shop assistant is CHF4,000, with more paid for evening, night and Sunday work. Wondering about delivery workers? See the next category.
Keystone / Gaetan Bally
Delivery and communication
A postal worker starts at CHF4,000, while post office branch heads and logistical managers get CHF5,300. More is paid for nights, holidays and weekends. The starting rate at private delivery companies is CHF3,500, while bike couriers get CHF4,000. For someone working for a mobile communications company, the starting salary is CHF4,500. Jobs in IT support pay CHF4,800 to start and go to about CHF8,000 at the senior level.
Keystone / Christian Beutler
Media
In their first year, journalists typically earn about CHF5,575 per month. A TV producer gets CHF6,300. For a worker at a kiosk selling newspapers, the wage is about CHF3,900.
Keystone/Ennio Leanza
Clean-up and waste disposal
Cleaners working for the federal government get CHF3,400 to start; the maximum is CHF4,450. Workers picking up litter, emptying public bins and collecting private waste earn CHF3,900 to start; managers over 40 can earn over CHF7,000.
Keystone / Ennio Leanza
While Swiss salaries might appear high to people abroad, it’s important to remember that Switzerland also has a very high cost of living. For example, people spend about a third of their income on rent alone.
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.
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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.