Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 81'900 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 85'168 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 90'957 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 92'444 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 101'100 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 106'875 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsEducation & Social Work
Sozialarbeiter/in FH
You accompany people in difficult life situations on their way to greater independence
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Social workers advise and support people with personal and social problems
In your daily work, you exchange ideas closely with people who need support. You analyse their situation, listen carefully, and develop concrete solutions together. You coordinate steps with authorities, network with experts, and ensure respectful support. Your work strengthens client autonomy and promotes lasting changes in their social environment.
FieldEducation & Social Work
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryAccompaniment & Support
Swissdoc 0.731.33.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Sozialarbeiterin. Based on 1,628 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+6% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 86'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 89'440 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 85'356 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 91'411 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zug | CHF 106'125 | 26 |
| Schaffhausen | CHF 97'125 | 12 |
| Grisons | CHF 97'000 | 17 |
| Appenzell A. | CHF 93'990 | 13 |
| Aargau | CHF 93'600 | 148 |
| Geneva | CHF 93'600 | 57 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | CHF 96'900 | 6 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 91'000 | 507 |
| Consulting various | CHF 90'785 | 107 |
| Recruitment agency / Staffing | CHF 89'100 | 6 |
| Health care / Social services | CHF 88'384 | 783 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 87'500 | 65 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Bachelor/Master
Official education path
Training takes place at a university of applied sciences. It leads to a Bachelor or Master degree in Social Work.
Typical training path
Bachelor/Master
Curriculum
- Grundlagen in Psychologie, Soziologie, Sozialpolitik, Recht, Wirtschaft und Ethik
- Interventionsmodelle und -methoden
- Berufe, Institutionen und Organisationen
- Individuen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften
- Soziale und gesundheitliche Probleme, institutionelle Antworten
- Praktika
- Projektarbeiten
- Der Ausbildungsinhalt ist
- Je nach Hochschule unterschiedlich
Prerequisites
- gymnasiale Maturität
- Berufsmaturität (Gesundheit und Soziales)
- Fachmaturität (Berufsfeld Soziale Arbeit)
- Equivalent training and at least 1 year of professional experience in the social, health, educational or training sector
- Successful university admission procedure
Requirements
- Strong desire for contact and communication skills
- Empathy
- Good observation skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Organisational and planning skills
- Independent working style
- 1Grundlagen in Psychologie, Soziologie, Sozialpolitik, Recht, Wirtschaft und Ethik
- 2Interventionsmodelle und -methoden
- 3Berufe, Institutionen und Organisationen
- 4Individuen, Kulturen und Gesellschaften
- 5Soziale und gesundheitliche Probleme, institutionelle Antworten
- 6Praktika
- 7Projektarbeiten
- 8Der Ausbildungsinhalt ist
- 9Je nach Hochschule unterschiedlich
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Organisational skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Observation skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit with a client and listen carefully to their concerns. Together you clarify the next steps. At the same time, you review files, coordinate appointments with authorities, and prepare reports for the expert team.
- You analyse the personal situation and listen carefully to the concerns of the people you advise.
- You build a trusting relationship and accompany people on their individual journey.
- You develop realistic solutions together with clients. You also support them in applying these solutions in daily life.
- You network with authorities, doctors, and specialist offices. You coordinate the necessary support.
- You review applications for financial aid or housing. You then initiate the necessary steps.
- You maintain files, write reports, and manage funds carefully. You document everything thoroughly.
Working conditions
You work in public or private social institutions. These include social services, hospitals, counselling centres, or reception centres. You regularly exchange ideas with experts from education, health, and justice.
Where to learn
- AvenirSocial Berufsverband Soziale Arbeit SchweizSchwarztorstrasse 11, 3001 Bern
Strengths
- Communication skills
- Empathy
- Organisational skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Observation skills
Trade-offs
- Emotional strain
- Administrative effort
- Pressure of responsibility
- Cross-boundary communication
06 · Similar
