Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 55'875 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 60'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 68'600 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 60'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 80'950 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 80'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsDesign & Crafts
Fotograf/in EFZ
You capture moments with light and a lens.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Photographers create visual stories through professional image capture and digital post-processing for various clients.
Light is the most important tool in this creative profession. You compose images for advertising, fashion, or reportage and turn impressions into lasting visual messages. Whether in a studio or outdoors, your work combines technical know-how with artistic flair. You decide how the world is seen in photos and campaigns.
FieldDesign & Crafts
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryAudiovisual Media
Swissdoc 0.814.17.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Photographer. Based on 184 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+18% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 55'050 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 68'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 65'921 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 65'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 74'550 | 39 |
| Berne | CHF 72'222 | 15 |
| Aargau | CHF 61'100 | 15 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health care / Social services | CHF 91'650 | 6 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 83'488 | 10 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 79'727 | 6 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 71'500 | 7 |
| Media / Printing / Publishing | CHF 63'000 | 55 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 62'500 | 34 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Fotograf/in EFZ
- ⏱ 4 Jahre
Official education path
Training takes place through a 4-year dual apprenticeship with practical work at the company and theoretical classes at the vocational school.
Typical training path
Fotograf/in EFZ
Curriculum
- Beherrschen der Bildaufnahmetechniken
- Vorbereiten der Aufnahme
- Durchführen der Aufnahme
- Nachbearbeiten
- Erledigen der administrativen Arbeiten
- Erwerben von Marktkenntnissen
- Erweitern der geistigen Fähigkeiten
- Unterhalten des Sachkapitals
Prerequisites
- Compulsory school completed
- A preparatory course at a school of design or other creative training is desirable, but not a requirement
Requirements
- Creativity
- Technical understanding
- Sense of aesthetics and perfection
- Good eyesight
- Observational skills
- Organisational talent
- Sociability
- Willingness to travel frequently
- 1Beherrschen der Bildaufnahmetechniken
- 2Vorbereiten der Aufnahme
- 3Durchführen der Aufnahme
- 4Nachbearbeiten
- 5Erledigen der administrativen Arbeiten
- 6Erwerben von Marktkenntnissen
- 7Erweitern der geistigen Fähigkeiten
- 8Unterhalten des Sachkapitals
Where this can lead
A preparatory course at a school of design or other creative training supports the start. Career changers can enter, but they require basic technical or artistic knowledge.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Creative flair
- Technical know-how
- Organisational skills
- Communication skills
- Visual perception
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You check the lighting on set and adjust the camera while the model strikes the desired pose. With a steady hand, you press the shutter to capture the perfect image for the client.
- You schedule appointments with clients and clarify the desired subjects in advance.
- You plan shooting locations and discuss creative concepts with the team.
- You position people carefully and try out different poses for the perfect expression.
- You choose the right camera and adjust light sources for optimal image results.
- You edit raw data on a computer and adjust colours and contrasts precisely.
- You maintain your technical equipment and keep learning new software tools.
Working conditions
You usually work in your own photo studios or travel to clients to shoot on location. Sometimes you use studios, publishers, or advertising agencies as a fixed workplace.
Where to learn
- SIYU professionelle fotografie schweiz3000 Bern
Strengths
- Creative flair
- Technical know-how
- Organisational skills
- Communication skills
- Visual perception
Trade-offs
- Project uncertainty
- Physical strain
- Competitive pressure
- Flexible working hours
06 · Similar
