Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 76'300 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 75'320 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 81'516 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 90'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 97'100 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Förster/in HF
You lead and maintain forests and coordinate forestry operations.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Foresters manage forest stands, plan timber harvesting, lead teams and protect nature on site.
The forest is your daily workplace. You plan timber harvesting, supervise staff and protect nature on site. With solid expertise and clear organisation, you ensure healthy stands and sustainable forestry. Whether in the forest district, in the office or in a team: you actively contribute to preserving our forests and securing the timber supply.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathContinuing Education Profession
IndustryForestry
Swissdoc 0.120.2.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Foreign Trade Expert. Based on 663 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+9% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 80'600 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 81'250 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 82'368 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 87'590 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zug | CHF 93'625 | 16 |
| Vaud | CHF 90'900 | 33 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 88'200 | 33 |
| Zurich | CHF 87'785 | 86 |
| Solothurn | CHF 86'501 | 20 |
| Fribourg | CHF 86'416 | 14 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Information technology / Telecom | CHF 93'000 | 5 |
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 90'000 | 47 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 90'000 | 46 |
| Utilities | CHF 88'400 | 7 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 88'400 | 5 |
| Medical Technology | CHF 87'216 | 26 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Dipl. Förster/in HF
Official education path
The course covers basic modules and a subsequent 21-month full-time intensive course.
Typical training path
Dipl. Förster/in HF
Prerequisites
- eidg. Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ) als Forstwart/-wartin and 1 year of professional experience in a forestry company
- Other EFZ in a related field
- Berufs-, Fach- oder gymnasiale Maturität
- Fachmittelschulausweis or equivalent qualification
- Aptitude assessment
- Competence proofs of the basic modules
Requirements
- Ability to lead staff and work in a team
- Organisational skills
- Robust health
- Systematic working method
- High sense of responsibility
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Leadership skills
- Organisational skills
- Decision-making confidence
- Understanding of nature
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You are in the forest district and check the health of the trees before you plan and coordinate the next timber harvesting with the team.
- You plan and coordinate timber harvesting as well as the necessary machines and workers on site.
- You keep records of forest stands and create programmes for maintenance and renewal.
- You direct foresters and monitor the work of the machines used.
- You develop emergency plans and take quick action during storms or pest infestations.
- You determine the market value of timber and negotiate sales with buyers.
- You monitor forest health and report violations of nature conservation regulations.
- You advise forest owners and coordinate the joint management of the areas.
- You plan the construction of forest roads and coordinate the maintenance of the equipment.
Working conditions
You work mainly outdoors in the forest district, in the office of forestry companies or at engineering firms. You can also find opportunities in the timber industry, timber trade or international development cooperation.
Where to learn
- Codoc Koordination und Dokumentation Bildung Wald Hardernstr. 20Postfach 339, 3250 Lyss
- Verband Schweizer Forstpersonal VSFHeiterbühl 26, 6103 Schwarzenberg LU
- OdA Wald Schweiz Hardernstr. 20Postfach 339, 3250 Lyss
- WaldSchweizRosenweg 14, 4501 Solothurn
Strengths
- Leadership skills
- Organisational skills
- Decision-making confidence
- Understanding of nature
Trade-offs
- Weather dependency
- Physical strain
- Pressure of responsibility
- Administrative effort
06 · Similar
