Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 95'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 97'800 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 111'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 109'500 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 126'500 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 140'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsPlanning & Engineering Design
Architekt/in FH
You shape the built environment with creativity and expertise.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Architekt/in FH plan and supervise construction projects from the first sketch to completion.
You design buildings and spaces that connect and inspire people. You guide construction projects from the initial idea to the handover of the keys. You combine technical precision with aesthetic standards. Your designs meet legal requirements, economic goals, and ecological standards. You coordinate experts, solve complex problems, and create sustainable living and working environments for the future.
FieldPlanning & Engineering Design
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryWood Industry, Carpentry & Joinery
Swissdoc 0.420.3.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Architect DWH. Based on 209 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+18% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 100'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 104'500 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 109'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 117'600 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Berne | CHF 132'444 | 12 |
| Zurich | CHF 122'000 | 41 |
| Vaud | CHF 115'900 | 17 |
| Geneva | CHF 105'000 | 15 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 157'250 | 6 |
| Banking / Financial institutions | CHF 125'000 | 40 |
| Insurance | CHF 120'000 | 21 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 110'000 | 6 |
| Consulting various | CHF 110'000 | 9 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 110'000 | 5 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Eidg. anerkanntes Diplom "Bachelor of Arts [FH] in Architektur"
- ⏱ Vollzeit 3 Jahre Teilzeit 4 Jahre berufsbegleitend
Official education path
You complete a part-time or full-time degree at an accredited university of applied sciences. You receive a federal diploma.
Typical training path
Eidg. anerkanntes Diplom "Bachelor of Arts [FH] in Architektur"
Prerequisites
- berufliche Grundbildung in einem der Studienrichtung verwandten Beruf (z. B. als Zeichner/in EFZ Fachrichtung Architektur) and Berufsmaturität
- berufliche Grundbildung in einem anderen Beruf with Berufsmaturität and 1-year professional practice in a recognized architecture office
- Fachmaturität and 1-year professional practice in a recognized architecture office (Design and Art profile: professional practice may be waived)
- gymnasiale Maturität and at least 1-year professional practice in a recognized architecture office
Requirements
- negotiation skills
- strong spatial imagination
- awareness of complex connections in culture, society and environment
Where this can lead
Career changers with related professional training and a vocational baccalaureate can apply via admission tests at universities of applied sciences.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Spatial thinking
- Creative design
- Strong communication
- Systemic understanding
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You work at the drafting table. You check the structural integrity of the design with your team. You discuss material choices with the client. You adjust the visualizations to match current wishes.
- You analyze client wishes and turn them into initial sketches.
- You carefully check the technical and economic feasibility of each project.
- You create detailed plans and present them with modern visualizations.
- You coordinate different trades throughout the entire construction phase.
- You monitor construction work and ensure deadlines are met.
- You negotiate with suppliers and draft final contracts.
- You solve on-site technical problems and document progress.
Working conditions
You usually work in architecture firms, public administration, or general contracting companies. You also find roles in housing cooperatives or construction departments of large companies.
Where to learn
- Berner Fachhochschule Architektur, Holz und Bau Pestalozzistr. 20Postfach 1058, 3401 Burgdorf
- Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz FHNW Hochschule für Architektur, Bau und GeomatikHofackerstrasse 30, 4132 Muttenz
- Hochschule Luzern Technik & ArchitekturTechnikumstrasse 21, 6048 Horw
- ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Departement Architektur, Gestaltung und BauingenieurwesenTössfeldstr. 11, 8401 Winterthur
- Fachhochschule Graubünden FHGRPulvermühlestrasse 57, 7000 Chur
- Hochschule für Technik und Architektur Freiburg HES-SO Bd. dePérolles 80, 1700 Freiburg
- SUPSI - Dipartimento Ambiente, Costruzioni e Design Casellapostale 105, 6952 Canobbio
- OST – Ostschweizer Fachhochschule, Departement Architektur, Bau, Landschaft, RaumRosenbergstrasse 59, 9001 St. Gallen
Strengths
- Spatial thinking
- Creative design
- Strong communication
- Systemic understanding
Trade-offs
- Time pressure
- Irregular hours
- High responsibility
- Economic fluctuations
06 · Similar
