phd and postdoc salaries
Salaries at universities
In general, salaries at universities in Switzerland depend on the university, the institute, the exact position, age and experience and often also from the source of the money (fellowship, university position etc.). The employment pensum varies, too. PhD candidates e.g. are often employed only 50%. The effectif salary can therefore vary a lot from one place to another.
Salary of PhD candidates
PhD candidates can get salaries between 2500 CHF and 6000 CHF depending on the institution and field of research. PhD candidates in exact sciences (computer science, mathematics, physics, ...) and medecine are usually better paid than PhD candidates in life sciences, chemistry, arts and humanities. However, the salary and the working conditions depend on the exact contract you have. Find more information about a PhD in Switzerland.
Salary of postdocs
Postdoc (postdoctoral position) gross salaries at universities are between 3000 CHF and 8000 CHF depending on the insitute, university, age and experience. We have made a calculation for a foreign postdoc whose salary is subject to tax at source. Find more information about a Postdoc in Switzerland.
Salary of university graduates
Annual gross salary for master graduates at university level (median) 2009, in CHF (all economic sectors, all positions, all regions)
| 1 year after master degree | 5 years after master degree | |
| Arts and humanities | 76 000 | 88 200 |
| Economy | 83 200 | 102 000 |
| Law | 54 000 | 100 000 |
| Sciences | 70 000 | 84 400 |
| Medecine and Pharmacy | 80 800 | 93 700 |
| Engineering | 71 000 | 90 000 |
Annual gross salary for PhDs (median) 2009, in CHF (all economic sectors, all positions, all regions)
| 1 year after PhD | 5 years after PhD | |
| Arts and humanities | 95 000 | 105 000 |
| Economy | 110 000 | 130 000 |
| Law | 100 000 | 136 500 |
| Sciences | 84 000 | 100 000 |
| Medecine and Pharmacy | 90 600 | 100 000 |
| Engineering | 94 000 | 115 000 |
Source: FOS
Remarks
- Usual working time in Switzerland: 42 hours per week.
- Holidays: Legally 4 weeks per year. Some companies give 5 weeks.
Links
- For further information, see our sections PhD in Switzerland, postdoc in Switzerland and professor in Switzerland.
Last job offers
- Administration - 14.10
Mitarbeiterin / Mitarbeiter Grants Office (80-100 %) - Law - 12.10
Professur (Associate/Full Professor/in) für Wirtschaftsstrafrecht, Compliance und Digitalisierung (100 %) - Life Sciences - 10.10
Become a Principal Investigator at CeMM - Social Sciences - 10.10
Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in (60−80 %) Kinder- und Jugendhilfe mit Schwerpunkt Schulsozialarbeit - Health - 10.10
Postdoc/ Senior Researcher with Strong Quantitative Skills for Health Economics and Healthcare Management Research - Social Sciences - 10.10
Wissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in (50−60 %) Schwerpunkt Organisationaler Wandel - Pedagogy - 12.10
Mitarbeiterin / Mitarbeiter Hochschuldidaktik für den Schwerpunkt Prüfen (70% - 90%) 70% - 90% - Social Sciences - 11.10
Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in (w/m/d)