Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 63'922 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 71'400 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 72'450 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 71'500 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 85'631 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 93'957 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Mikromechaniker/in EFZ
Manufacturing precise parts with CNC machines and turning lathes
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You manufacture microtechnical components using CNC machines and check their quality in specialised workshops.
Mikromechaniker/in EFZ manufacture tiny, highly precise components for the watch, optics, or medical technology industries. You prepare workflows, program computer-controlled machines, and produce parts step by step. Checking dimensions, ensuring quality, and maintaining equipment are just as much part of your daily routine as contributing to continuous improvements. You work in specialised workshops and support manufacturing technology.
FieldMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryMechanical Engineering
Swissdoc 0.556.3.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Micromechanic. Based on 98 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+26% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2017-2019 | CHF 63'811 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 68'250 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 80'500 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Geneva | CHF 83'000 | 12 |
| Vaud | CHF 77'543 | 16 |
| Berne | CHF 77'237 | 20 |
| Neuchâtel | CHF 75'775 | 22 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Technology | CHF 79'721 | 6 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 75'825 | 26 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 72'625 | 28 |
| Machine / System construction | CHF 72'400 | 8 |
| Industry various | CHF 72'000 | 27 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Mikromechaniker/in EFZ
- ⏱ 4 Jahre
Official education path
The training takes place over 4 years in a company and at a vocational school.
Typical training path
Mikromechaniker/in EFZ
Curriculum
- Vorbereiten der Arbeitsabläufe für die Produktion
- Durchführen des grundlegenden Projektmanagements
- Bearbeiten von mikrotechnischen Werkstücken auf herkömmlichen Maschinen und auf CNC-Maschinen
- Mitwirken am kontinuierlichen Verbesserungsprozess in Bezug auf die Teilefertigung
Prerequisites
- Compulsory school completed
- Admission test at the training company and vocational school
Requirements
- Dexterous and steady hands for very precise work
- Technical understanding
- Enjoyment of working with machines and computers
- Logical and methodical thinking
- High concentration ability
- Sense of order and cleanliness
- 1Vorbereiten der Arbeitsabläufe für die Produktion
- 2Durchführen des grundlegenden Projektmanagements
- 3Bearbeiten von mikrotechnischen Werkstücken auf herkömmlichen Maschinen und auf CNC-Maschinen
- 4Mitwirken am kontinuierlichen Verbesserungsprozess in Bezug auf die Teilefertigung
Where this can lead
Lateral entry is rare because the apprenticeship is highly specialised. However, you can advance your career with a professional exam or a university of applied sciences degree.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Precision work
- Technical understanding
- Steady hands
- Logical thinking
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the CNC machine, load the program, and check the first workpieces for exact dimensions.
- You prepare workflows and create technical drawings for production.
- You program computer-controlled machines and enter the required dimensions.
- You assemble fixtures and transfer tool corrections to the control system.
- You operate turning lathes or milling machines to produce microtechnical parts.
- You check the quality of the workpieces and grind them to size.
- You analyse production data and suggest improvements for the process.
- You maintain the machines and keep the workshop clean.
Working conditions
You work in specialised microtechnical workshops and are part of expert teams. You will find these companies mainly in the watch region between Geneva and Schaffhausen.
Where to learn
- Arbeitgeberverband der Schweizerischen Uhrenindustrie AvenueLéopold-Robert 65, 2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds
Strengths
- Precision work
- Technical understanding
- Steady hands
- Logical thinking
Trade-offs
- High concentration
- Physical strain
- Tight tolerances
- Changing tasks
06 · Similar
