Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 58'528 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 58'826 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 63'100 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 65'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 66'506 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 68'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsConstruction
Maler/in EFZ
You transform spaces with paint, varnish, and decorative techniques
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Painters prepare surfaces, apply coatings, and add decorative accents on construction sites and in workshops
Paint transforms spaces and protects materials. As a Maler/in EFZ, you prepare surfaces professionally, mix precise colours, and apply varnishes or wallpaper. Whether on scaffolding, in the workshop, or on site: you work with your hands, add decorative touches, and ensure clean results. Your profession combines creative design with technical know-how and offers strong prospects in the construction and renovation sector.
FieldConstruction
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryPainting, Plastering & Tiling
Swissdoc 0.450.25.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Painter. Based on 2,042 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+5% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 63'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 62'400 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 62'400 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 66'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Schaffhausen | CHF 69'864 | 24 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 66'730 | 93 |
| Zurich | CHF 66'500 | 309 |
| Lucerne | CHF 65'500 | 76 |
| Schwyz | CHF 65'400 | 25 |
| Solothurn | CHF 65'000 | 61 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture / Forestry / Wood | CHF 81'000 | 10 |
| Education | CHF 74'500 | 20 |
| Banking / Financial institutions | CHF 72'000 | 9 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 64'625 | 10 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 64'119 | 1,353 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 63'031 | 343 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Maler/in EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
Training takes place as a 3-year apprenticeship at a company, with 1 day per week at vocational school.
Typical training path
Maler/in EFZ
Curriculum
- Planen, Vorbereiten und Rapportieren der Arbeiten
- Vorbehandeln und Beschichten von Untergründen
- Sicherstellen der Arbeitssicherheit, des Gesundheitsschutzes und des Umweltschutzes
- Dekorieren und Gestalten
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- handwerkliches Geschick
- praktisches Verständnis
- körperliche Beweglichkeit
- robuste Gesundheit
- Sinn für Farben
- keine Allergien auf Lösungsmittel
- 1Planen, Vorbereiten und Rapportieren der Arbeiten
- 2Vorbehandeln und Beschichten von Untergründen
- 3Sicherstellen der Arbeitssicherheit, des Gesundheitsschutzes und des Umweltschutzes
- 4Dekorieren und Gestalten
Where this can lead
Career changes are possible, for example through a shortened apprenticeship in a related trade or further training to become a master painter.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Manual skills
- Physical stamina
- Eye for colour
- Precise planning
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You face a new wall. You check the surface and prepare it carefully. Then you apply the chosen paint evenly. You pay close attention to clean edges and a perfect finish.
- You calculate the exact material needs and estimate the project costs.
- You assess the surface and choose the right primers and coatings.
- You mix colours according to specifications and ensure the shade is correct.
- You set up scaffolding and protect floors and furniture with cover sheets.
- You remove old wallpaper, paint residue, or rust with special tools.
- You fill cracks, sand down uneven areas, and thoroughly remove dust.
- You apply paint, varnish, or plaster with a brush, roller, or spray gun.
- You hang wallpaper or fabric and add decorative details.
- You clean your tools, dispose of waste responsibly, and follow safety rules.
Working conditions
You mainly work on construction sites, in workshops, or outdoors. Depending on the job, you move between high scaffolding, tight rooms, and the workshop for windows or doors.
Where to learn
- Schweiz. Maler- und Gipserunternehmer-Verband SMGVOberwiesenstrasse 2, 8304 Wallisellen
Strengths
- Manual skills
- Physical stamina
- Eye for colour
- Precise planning
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Weather exposure
- Chemical exposure
- Shift and project hours
06 · Similar
