Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 79'513 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 81'500 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 87'966 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 81'900 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 87'100 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 110'500 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsWood & Interior Construction
Holzindustriefachmann/-frau EFZ
You turn wood into high-quality products for construction and industry.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Wood industry specialists process raw logs in sawmills. They plan production and deliver finished wood products to customers.
Sawmills and wood processing plants produce the raw material for houses, furniture, and machines. You check the quality of the delivered logs. You plan the next steps and operate heavy machinery. With technical know-how and manual skill, you turn natural materials into precise components. Your work secures the wood industry's value chain.
FieldWood & Interior Construction
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryWood Industry, Carpentry & Joinery
Swissdoc 0.510.23.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Wood Industry Technician. Based on 200 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
-4% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 92'500 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 82'535 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 82'600 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 88'600 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| St. Gallen | CHF 90'036 | 22 |
| Aargau | CHF 89'800 | 20 |
| Vaud | CHF 84'945 | 22 |
| Berne | CHF 84'899 | 24 |
| Lucerne | CHF 81'900 | 15 |
| Zurich | CHF 81'800 | 21 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 85'000 | 119 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 81'596 | 44 |
| Agriculture / Forestry / Wood | CHF 81'500 | 12 |
| Industry various | CHF 65'000 | 9 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Holzindustriefachmann/-frau EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
The training lasts 3 years at a wood industry company. You attend vocational school weekly.
Typical training path
Holzindustriefachmann/-frau EFZ
Curriculum
- Organisieren und Optimieren der Holzproduktion
- Bewirtschaften von Rohholz, Holzprodukten, Hilfs- und Betriebsstoffen
- Produzieren von Schnittholz
- Fertigen von holzbasierten Produkten
- Warten und Instandhalten der Produktionsmittel der Holzverarbeitung
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- handwerkliches Geschick
- technisches Verständnis
- gute körperliche Verfassung und Beweglichkeit
- Teamfähigkeit
- 1Organisieren und Optimieren der Holzproduktion
- 2Bewirtschaften von Rohholz, Holzprodukten, Hilfs- und Betriebsstoffen
- 3Produzieren von Schnittholz
- 4Fertigen von holzbasierten Produkten
- 5Warten und Instandhalten der Produktionsmittel der Holzverarbeitung
Where this can lead
Career changers can enter with relevant work experience or a related vocational qualification. Further training leads to specialized roles in wood processing.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Manual skill
- Technical understanding
- Physical stamina
- Teamwork
- Customer focus
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in the saw hall and adjust the machine. You cut boards to exact sizes. You check the wood quality in between. You document the production steps in the work report.
- You check delivered wood logs for quality. You sort them correctly.
- You plan production and resale with your supervisors.
- You operate sawing machines. You cut tree trunks into precise boards and planks.
- Various machines plane, mill, and glue wood surfaces for customers.
- You store finished goods correctly. You prepare them for shipping.
- You regularly maintain the technical equipment. You document all production steps.
Working conditions
You work in sawmills, planing mills, or glue-laminated timber producers. Your tasks are split between the production hall and the outdoor sorting area.
Where to learn
- Holzindustrie SchweizPostfach 325, 3000 Bern
- Verband Schweizerischer HobelwerkeRadgasse 3, 8005 Zürich
Strengths
- Manual skill
- Technical understanding
- Physical stamina
- Teamwork
- Customer focus
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Noise and dust
- Weather dependency
- Machine responsibility
06 · Similar
