Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 79'650 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 86'637 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 91'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 97'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 110'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsCulture & Media
Journalist/in
You research, write, and report on current events.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Journalist/in research information, write texts or articles, and inform the public about relevant topics.
Finding and sharing information is at the heart of your work. You analyse current events, hold conversations, and prepare content for different media. Whether for print, online, radio, or television – you ensure complex topics are clear and engaging. You guide processes from the first idea to the final publication.
FieldCulture & Media
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryJournalism & Editing
Swissdoc 0.811.1.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Journaliste. Based on 379 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+4% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 86'500 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 83'200 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 95'775 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 90'186 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Vaud | CHF 102'261 | 30 |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 96'000 | 15 |
| Berne | CHF 91'000 | 25 |
| Zurich | CHF 91'000 | 125 |
| Aargau | CHF 89'050 | 16 |
| Geneva | CHF 73'800 | 30 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Banking / Financial institutions | CHF 135'000 | 5 |
| Information technology / Telecom | CHF 95'000 | 13 |
| Media / Printing / Publishing | CHF 89'250 | 261 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 85'500 | 8 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 78'000 | 27 |
| Health care / Social services | CHF 67'916 | 6 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Bachelor of Arts bzw. Bachelor of Science (Fachhochschulen), schuleigenes Diplom oder Zertifikat
Official education path
A Bachelor's programme at a University of Applied Sciences provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge for entering the profession.
Typical training path
Bachelor of Arts bzw. Bachelor of Science (Fachhochschulen), schuleigenes Diplom oder Zertifikat
Prerequisites
- ZHAW, FHGR/BFH: Abschluss einer beruflichen Grundbildung mit Berufsmaturität; Fachmaturität, gymnasiale Maturität or equivalent training and at least 1 year of practical work experience
- ZHdK: Berufs-, Fach-, gymnasiale Maturität or completion of a at least 3-year general secondary school (level II) and artistic preparation
- SAL: Abschluss einer beruflichen Grundbildung or other training at level II, minimum age 18 years
- MAZ: Berufs-, Fach-, gymnasiale Maturität or equivalent, employment with a media company and passing the entrance exam
- Career entry via practice (internships, stages, volontariates): usually a completed higher education degree (Fachhochschule or university)
Requirements
- Strong communication skills and language proficiency
- Good general knowledge
- Openness to new topics
- Thirst for knowledge and curiosity
- Analytical and conceptual skills
- Critical thinking
Where this can lead
Career entry via newsroom internships, work placements, or traineeships is possible. A completed higher education degree is usually required.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Communication skills
- Analytical thinking
- Resilience
- Curiosity
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit in the newsroom, check new agency reports, and plan the next articles with your team. Then you research on site, conduct interviews, and write the final text under tight deadlines. You also edit the video footage.
- You actively research current topics and check various information sources.
- You hold conversations with experts, witnesses, or those involved on site.
- You write articles, reports, or commentaries for print and online media.
- You carefully edit and shorten submitted texts and agency reports.
- You edit video footage and audio clips into finished media products.
- You host broadcast segments or read the news live on radio.
Working conditions
You work in the newsrooms of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations, or in PR agencies. Depending on the assignment, you move between the office, studio, and field work.
Strengths
- Communication skills
- Analytical thinking
- Resilience
- Curiosity
Trade-offs
- Irregular hours
- High pressure
- Low income
- High responsibility
06 · Similar
