Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 67'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 73'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 78'250 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 91'500 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 97'103 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Zugverkehrsleiter/in
You safely and punctually manage rail traffic from control centres.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You monitor and direct train traffic on screens to guarantee safety and punctuality across the rail network.
At the heart of the Swiss rail network, you ensure smooth operations. On large screens, you watch the traffic flow, switch tracks, and control signals. Your quick and safe reactions protect people and goods. You coordinate actions during disruptions and inform passengers and colleagues. This guarantees daily punctuality and safety in public transport.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryRail
Swissdoc 0.632.11.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Zugverkehrsleiterin. Based on 106 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+25% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 64'250 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 73'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 79'195 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 80'300 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 79'902 | 15 |
| Vaud | CHF 78'750 | 37 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism / Travel / Recreation | CHF 78'000 | 9 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 76'500 | 87 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 64'157 | 5 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Zugverkehrsleiter/in
Official education path
Training usually follows directly after initial vocational training or a high school diploma through full-time in-house education.
Typical training path
Zugverkehrsleiter/in
Prerequisites
- Flawless color vision (no red/green color blindness)
- Good written and spoken knowledge of the language of the working region
- Foreign language skills in a second national language
- Willingness to work irregular hours
Requirements
- High concentration ability
- High sense of responsibility
- Good comprehension
- Independent way of working
- Organizational talent
- Commitment and resilience
Where this can lead
Career changers with completed initial training and operational experience can complete in-house further training to become traffic controllers.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Systems thinking
- High concentration
- Sense of responsibility
- Resilience
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit in front of several screens and track train traffic in your assigned section. If a delay occurs, you immediately plan alternative routes and coordinate measures with the train crew.
- You continuously monitor train traffic on multiple screens.
- You switch tracks and control signals for safe operations.
- You schedule trains and reroute connections during delays.
- You coordinate with shunting staff and train drivers.
- You ensure passenger information at the stations.
- You react quickly and with a focus on safety during disruptions.
- You communicate implemented measures to the entire team.
- You keep track of the entire assigned rail network.
Working conditions
You work in the operational control centres of SBB or in the control rooms of private railway companies. These rooms are often located in large shunting yards or central transport hubs.
Where to learn
- SBB AG Human Ressources-Sourcing, Recruiting & TalentHilfikerstrasse 1, 3014 Bern
- BLS AG - Dienstleistungscenter PersonalGenfergasse 11, 3011 Bern
- Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Rail CenterBahnhofplatz 7, 3900 Brig
- Rhätische BahnBahnhofstrasse 25, 7001 Chur
- Schweizerische Südostbahn AG (SOB)Bahnhofplatz 1a, 9001 St. Gallen
- zb Zentralbahn AGBahnhofstrasse 2, 6362 Stansstad
Strengths
- Systems thinking
- High concentration
- Sense of responsibility
- Resilience
Trade-offs
- Irregular hours
- High responsibility
- Stressful situations
- Sedentary work
06 · Similar
