Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 58'500 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 60'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 65'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 68'250 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 74'328 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 78'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Uhrmacher/in Produktion EFZ
Craft and repair precise watches and microtechnology by hand
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You craft, assemble, and repair watches and precision components in industry or specialized shops.
In the Swiss watch industry, traditional craftsmanship meets modern microtechnology. As a Uhrmacher/in Produktion EFZ, you take responsibility for high-quality timepieces. You assemble complex components, adjust mechanisms, and ensure flawless operation. With great patience and technical understanding, you ensure every piece meets the highest quality standards.
FieldMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryWatchmaking & Microtechnology
Swissdoc 0.556.14.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Watchmaker. Based on 1,055 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+18% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 56'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 62'556 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 63'200 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 66'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Lucerne | CHF 71'640 | 14 |
| Zurich | CHF 69'000 | 21 |
| Geneva | CHF 68'770 | 177 |
| Berne | CHF 65'000 | 127 |
| Neuchâtel | CHF 64'350 | 271 |
| Vaud | CHF 62'632 | 112 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment agency / Staffing | CHF 71'500 | 5 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 71'000 | 28 |
| Media / Printing / Publishing | CHF 69'457 | 18 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 65'520 | 379 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 64'646 | 338 |
| Education | CHF 64'500 | 6 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Uhrmacher/in Produktion EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
The training takes three years in a watch industry company, with weekly visits to vocational school.
Typical training path
Uhrmacher/in Produktion EFZ
Curriculum
- Fertigen von branchenspezifischen Werkzeugen und Ausrüstung
- Zusammensetzen von Einzelteilen
- Feineinstellen und Regulieren
- Nachbessern des Uhrwerks und der Ausstattung (Habillage)
- Mitwirken am Produktionsprozess
- Anwenden der Richtlinien bezüglich
- Arbeitssicherheit, Gesundheits- und Umweltschutz
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- handwerkliches Geschick
- Fähigkeit, sich Sachen räumlich vorzustellen
- logisches Denken
- gute Auffassungsgabe
- technisches Verständnis
- Konzentrationsvermögen
- Ordnungs- und Sauberkeitssinn
- normale Sehfähigkeit (auch korrigierte Sehschärfe)
- 1Fertigen von branchenspezifischen Werkzeugen und Ausrüstung
- 2Zusammensetzen von Einzelteilen
- 3Feineinstellen und Regulieren
- 4Nachbessern des Uhrwerks und der Ausstattung (Habillage)
- 5Mitwirken am Produktionsprozess
- 6Anwenden der Richtlinien bezüglich
- 7Arbeitssicherheit, Gesundheits- und Umweltschutz
Where this can lead
Career changes or a shortened apprenticeship as a Uhrmacher/in EFZ are possible after completing initial training.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Craftsmanship
- Technical understanding
- Concentration
- Sense of order
- Visual acuity
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit at your workbench. You use fine tools to adjust tiny gears for a watch movement. You constantly check the fit and ensure a flawless finish.
- You read technical drawings and understand complex assembly sketches.
- You craft special tools and equipment for watch production.
- You disassemble mechanical and electronic watches to identify defective parts.
- You assemble watches, adjust them, and check their functionality.
- You professionally replace damaged parts like glass or dials.
- You organize the production process and check part quality.
- You fix disruptions in the manufacturing process and follow safety rules strictly.
Working conditions
You work independently at a workbench or supervise watchmakers on an assembly line. Your work environment includes the watch industry, specialized shops, and companies in microtechnology and medical technology.
Where to learn
- Arbeitgeberverband der Schweizerischen Uhrenindustrie AvenueLéopold-Robert 65, 2301 La Chaux-de-Fonds
- Verband Schweizer Goldschmiede und Uhrenfachgeschäfte VSGUBahnhofstr. 7b, 6210 Sursee
Strengths
- Craftsmanship
- Technical understanding
- Concentration
- Sense of order
- Visual acuity
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- High precision
- Regional limitation
- Repetitive tasks
06 · Similar
