A report published by the Swiss Federal Office of statistics, shows that only 4.3% of full-time1 workers earn CHF 3,000 or less per month2. The monthly figure is net of social security deductions, but includes one twelfth of the 13th bonus month typically paid in Switzerland.
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CHF 3,000 per month is CHF 36,000 a year, equivalent to US$ 36,250 or GBP 28,250, slightly above the annual UK median of GBP 28,0283.
At the other end of the spectrum, only 5.6% of full-time Swiss workers earn over CHF 10,000 per month, and only 0.3% over CHF 20,000.
80% earn more than CHF 4,000, 54% earn more than CHF 5,000, 34% more than CHF 6,000, 22% more than CHF 7,000, 15% more than CHF 8,000, and 9% more than CHF 9,000.
The cost of living is high in Switzerland so CHF 3,000 soon gets consumed by bills.
The average working week for full-time workers in Switzerland is 41.7 hours, higher than in the UK (39.2 hours), but lower than in the US (47 hours).
More on this:
Swiss Federal Office of statistics 2016 report (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
1 Those working at least 90 percent of full-time..
2 2014 data.
3 Based on April 2016 weekly median earnings for a full-time UK worker GBP 539.
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Hannah Demarest says
Earning over 3000CHF/month may sound good to someone living outside the country, but anyone living in Switzerland will tell you it’s hardly enough to pay one’s bills, much less do anything extra like go to a restaurant or the cinema.
Johny says
It really depends on a canton you live, in some places if you are alone, you can spend 1000 on a flat + 350 on insurance and ~600 on food (home made), so you still have more than CHF 1000 to spend on other needs (phone, transportation, etc). Conclusion – you can live with CHF 3000 if you manage your expenses in a proper way. Of course, I agree it is not a lot in Switzerland but it’s OK.