Switzerland: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Switzerland?

Switzerland's registered unemployment rate was 3.0% in September 2026, with 140,480 people registered unemployed, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). That was 7,247 more than a year earlier (+5.4%). The seasonally adjusted rate was 3.1%.

SECO counts people registered with regional employment offices who have no job and are available for work. The FSO's survey-based ILO measure counts more people and was 4.9% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Swiss Labour Force Survey, compared with 5.9% in the EU. Both are official figures, measured in different ways. In SECO's figures, youth unemployment (age 15 to 24) was 3.3% and the rate for people aged 50 to 64 was 2.6%.

Official sources: State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) · Swiss Labour Force Survey

What is the average salary in Switzerland?

The gross median monthly wage for a full-time job in Switzerland was CHF 7,024 in 2024, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) Swiss Earnings Structure Survey. One in ten employees earned a low wage, and 32.6% received an annual bonus, averaging CHF 11,967.

The median is the middle value: half of full-time employees earn more and half less. It covers the private and public sectors and is converted to a full-time equivalent so jobs can be compared. For changes since 2024, the FSO's wage index shows nominal wages up 1.8% in 2025 and, with inflation of 0.2%, real wages up 1.6%.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO) Swiss Earnings Structure Survey · wage index

Does Switzerland have a minimum wage?

Switzerland has no nationwide statutory minimum wage. Minimum wages are set in many collective labour agreements (CLAs), and in 2025 the main CLAs agreed a nominal rise in minimum wages of 1%, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) wage agreements survey. Actual wages under the same agreements rose 1.2%.

The survey covers the main collective labour agreements and records what the social partners agreed, not what each employee is paid. The wage rise of 1.2% combined a 0.4% increase at individual level and 0.9% across the board. Some cantons set their own minimum wages; their levels are published by the cantons concerned.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO) wage agreements survey

What is the retirement age in Switzerland?

The reference age for the AHV old-age pension is 65 for men and women since 1 January 2024, according to the Information Centre AHV/IV. For women born in 1960 nothing changed; for women born from 1961 the reference age rises from 64 to 65 in steps of three months per year.

The reference age is the age at which the AHV pension is paid without reduction. Entitlement starts on the first day of the month after reaching it, and requires at least one year of AHV contributions. The amount depends on the contributions made. Occupational pensions (second pillar) follow their own fund rules.

Official sources: Information Centre AHV/IV

What is Switzerland's minimum wage?

4,212 CHF a month (about $4,784): that is the statutory minimum wage in Switzerland for 2024, according to the ILO. No year since 2017 has been higher.

What is the average monthly salary in Switzerland?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Switzerland at $7,780 a month in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2012. It is 2nd highest of 32 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $3,252 a month. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 57.

What is Switzerland's unemployment rate?

4.9%: that is the unemployment rate in Switzerland for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.4% (2008) to 5.0% (2021). Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Switzerland is 29th highest of 47. Worldwide: 94th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Switzerland?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Switzerland was 9.0%, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 14.2%, and Switzerland placed 40th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 117th highest.

What is the labour force participation rate in Switzerland?

66.7%: that is the labour force participation rate in Switzerland for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 60.3%; Switzerland is 6th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 46th of 174.

How many women in Switzerland are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 62.2%. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 63.1%; its low point was 2005, at 59.4%. It is 5th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 54.6%. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 174.

What share of adults in Switzerland have a job?

63.5%: that is the employment to population ratio in Switzerland for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 6th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 56.6%. World rank, highest first: 45th of 174.

How many workers in Switzerland are self-employed or family workers?

9.6%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Switzerland for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 12.4%; its low point was 2020, at 9.3%. It is 30th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.0%. Worldwide: 143rd of 174.

What share of jobs in Switzerland are salaried?

83.1%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Switzerland for 2025, according to the ILO. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 85.5%; Switzerland is 30th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 45th of 174.