These Are the Salaries in the Swiss Hotel Industry
How Much Would I Earn in the Swiss Hotel Industry?
The average annual salary in the Swiss hotel industry is an impressive CHF 64,800. This corresponds to a monthly salary of around CHF 5,400 or approximately € 5,769 (exchange rate January 2024).
Compared to Germany, where the average salary in the hotel industry is around € 31,900 per year, Switzerland offers you almost twice as much earning potential.
Why Are Salaries So Much Higher in Switzerland Than in Germany?
This notable difference is partly due to the high labor productivity and the qualification level of the workforce. Education and training play an important role here and are actively promoted. In addition, the standard working week in Switzerland is 42.5 hours. In Germany, on the other hand, the average working time in the hotel sector is often between 38.5 and 40 hours per week.
What Deductions Should I Expect?
The regular deductions in Switzerland amount to around 10–20% of the gross salary and are therefore significantly lower than in Germany:
Deductions include contributions to:
- Old-age and survivors insurance (OASI),
- Disability Insurance (DI),
- Loss of earnings compensation scheme (EO),
- Unemployment insurance (ALV),
- Occupational benefit plan (OP) and
- Non-occupational accident insurance (NOAI)
In addition, with foreign nationals, so-called tax at source is deducted directly from their salary. All in all, however, the net salary in Switzerland is still significantly higher than in Germany.
Example Calculation of Net Salary in Switzerland After All Deductions
Let us assume that you earn CHF 4,470 per month (gross salary). Your net salary after all deductions would be around CHF 3,803.75 and is calculated as follows:
| Zurich (CH) | Baden-Württemberg (GER) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Salary | CHF 4470 | € 2620 |
| Deductions | OASI = CHF 236.85 ALV = CHF 49.15 Daily sick pay = CHF 38.45 NOAI = CHF 44.2 OP = CHF 167.40 Deduction tax at source = CHF 329.89 | Income tax = € 233.83 Health insurance = € 213.53 Long-term care insurance = € 60.26 Pension insurance = € 243.66 Unemployment insurance = € 34.06 |
| Net Salary | CHF 3803.75 | € 1834.66 |
Does the High Salary Compensate for the High Cost of Living in Switzerland?
However, the promising salaries in Switzerland also go hand in hand with a higher cost of living. In particular, rents and the cost of food, internet, and telecommunications can be higher than in Germany. You should also note that health insurance is compulsory in Switzerland. You must organize and pay for this yourself. However, you can choose the provider and the premium yourself, depending on the benefits you require.
Finally, there are products that are significantly cheaper in Switzerland (e.g. gasoline). A look at the purchasing power in Zurich provides sufficient evidence that the standard of living in Switzerland is significantly higher than in Germany – it is around 80% higher in Zurich than in its neighboring country.
Where Would I Receive the Highest Salary Within the Hotel Sector in Switzerland?
Salaries in the Swiss hotel industry vary depending on location. In general, the cantons of Zurich and Basel-Stadt offer the highest earning potential across all sectors, with an average salary of CHF 7,113 per month. In other cantons, such as Bern and Thurgau, salaries can be lower.
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Note: The data on this page is taken from the publication, “Gehaltsübersicht. Eine aktuelle Übersicht über die branchenüblichen Gehälter in der Hotellerie und Gastronomie. Schweiz Edition” from Konen & Lorenzen (2023). All information is based on the average of salaries specified in employment contracts from the last 12 months. All information is without guarantee as to its accuracy and/or completeness.