Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 65'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 66'048 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 70'150 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 73'990 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 78'331 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 83'200 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Maschinist/in (Binnenschifffahrt)
You monitor and maintain the propulsion engines on inland vessels.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You ensure the safe operation of ship engines and carry out maintenance on board.
You take technical responsibility on board passenger and cargo ships on Swiss inland waters. Your tasks include operating the propulsion and auxiliary engines, carrying out engine manoeuvres, and performing ongoing maintenance. You work closely with the bridge team. You carry out maintenance and ensure safe, efficient navigation on the waterways.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryAircraft, Boat & Other Vehicle Construction
Swissdoc 0.635.8.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Angestellter Verkauf Innendienst. Based on 4,161 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+8% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 67'602 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 67'269 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 68'256 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 72'757 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Nidwalden | CHF 81'565 | 14 |
| Schwyz | CHF 73'800 | 72 |
| Geneva | CHF 73'342 | 12 |
| Zurich | CHF 73'136 | 955 |
| Zug | CHF 72'000 | 183 |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 71'500 | 73 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Banking / Financial institutions | CHF 76'000 | 35 |
| Machine / System construction | CHF 75'400 | 270 |
| Information technology / Telecom | CHF 75'237 | 168 |
| Medical Technology | CHF 74'900 | 58 |
| Media / Printing / Publishing | CHF 73'300 | 139 |
| Utilities | CHF 72'573 | 60 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Maschinist/in (Binnenschifffahrt)
Official education path
You start with vocational training in a technical trade. You also receive internal induction from the shipping company.
Typical training path
Maschinist/in (Binnenschifffahrt)
Prerequisites
- Berufliche Grundbildung (z.B. Polymechaniker/in EFZ, Elektroniker/in EFZ)
- interne Einführung im jeweiligen Schiffsunternehmen
Requirements
- technisches Verständnis
- technisches Geschick
- sorgfältige Arbeitsweise
- robuste Gesundheit
- Bereitschaft zu unregelmässigen Arbeitszeiten
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
- Reliability
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in the engine room and check the pressure values of the main engine while the ship passes through the lock. If needed, you carry out maintenance work immediately. You also adjust the propulsion system on command from the bridge.
- You safely start up and adjust the propulsion and auxiliary engines.
- You monitor the engines continuously and react immediately to technical changes.
- You carry out engine manoeuvres sent from the bridge.
- You maintain the engine systems and carry out regular service work on board.
- You help with general maintenance tasks and support the crew on deck.
- You document technical data and keep the engine room ready for operation at all times.
Working conditions
You work exclusively on board passenger and cargo ships on Swiss inland waters. Your workplace is the engine room. It is closely connected to the bridge.
Where to learn
- VSSU Schweizerische SchifffahrtsunternehmungenMythenquai 333, 8038 Zürich
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
- Reliability
Trade-offs
- Shift work
- Physical strain
- Responsibility
- Isolation
06 · Similar
