Prepare your salary expectations before the interview. For permanent roles in Switzerland, a gross annual salary is often the clearest format. Always state the employment percentage the figure refers to.
Research first
Pay depends on role, sector, region, experience, responsibility, education and company size. Salarium, the Federal Statistical Office’s calculator, currently uses the 2024 Swiss Earnings Structure Survey. The FSO explicitly notes that the results are statistical estimates, not salary recommendations.
Use several sources. No salary calculator knows the exact scope and responsibility of your specific role.
State the annual salary clearly
If you quote a monthly salary, make it clear whether a 13th-month salary is included.
Fixed figure or range?
A realistic range gives some room for negotiation. Its lower end should still be an amount you would genuinely accept.
Do not forget employment percentage
Ambiguous: My salary expectation is CHF 120,000.
Salary is not the whole package
Holiday allowance, pension, bonus, remote work, training and working hours can affect the overall value of an offer. They do not automatically compensate for a substantially lower base salary.
When should salary be discussed?
If the employer asks for your expectation in the application, provide it. Otherwise the subject often comes up in an interview or a later round. Before a final decision, both sides should know whether expectations broadly align.
Assessing an offer
Review base salary, variable pay, employment percentage, holidays, pension arrangements, commute, remote work and other important conditions together.
Make your CV support your value
The clearer your responsibilities, experience and results are, the easier it is to explain your salary expectations factually.
Review CV