Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 82'507 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 81'918 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 92'988 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 98'500 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 120'385 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsEducation & Social Work
Diakon (römisch-katholisch)
Design pastoral care, social projects and worship services
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You accompany people in pastoral and social tasks and lead worship services.
As Diakon (römisch-katholisch), you combine pastoral responsibility with social commitment. You support people in difficult life situations, plan aid programs and design liturgical celebrations. Your daily life is shaped by encounters, advice and the organisation of projects for parishes, hospitals or prisons. You work closely with priests and parish communities to offer spiritual and practical help.
FieldEducation & Social Work
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryAccompaniment & Support
Swissdoc 0.732.21.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Diakon. Based on 20 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+5% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 79'214 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 96'380 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 89'394 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 83'079 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health care / Social services | CHF 88'122 | 5 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 77'740 | 6 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 staatliches Zertifikat (für das Nachdiplomstudium), Diakonenweihe
Official education path
You complete a pastoral year and a part-time postgraduate study for diaconal ordination.
Typical training path
staatliches Zertifikat (für das Nachdiplomstudium), Diakonenweihe
Prerequisites
- Completed degree in Roman Catholic theology (for the Nachdiplomstudium Berufseinführung)
- Employment of at least 50% to max. 80% in general pastoral care
- For single men: commitment to celibacy
- For married men: consent of the wife to the partner's ordination
Requirements
- Strong sociability and communication skills
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Empathy
- Reliability
- Social competence
Where this can lead
Career changes are possible through church continuing education institutions or relevant theological degree programs.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Sociability
- Sense of responsibility
- Empathy
- Social skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You are in the church or hospital room. You prepare the liturgical procedures. Afterwards you accompany visitors through conversations, blessing prayers and practical support.
- You visit and accompany people in difficult life situations.
- You plan and organise social aid programs for different target groups.
- You lead worship services, speak blessing prayers and administer sacraments.
- You support priests and bishops during liturgical celebrations.
- You actively care for youth groups, nursing homes or prison inmates.
- You hold conversations in counselling centres and promote interreligious dialogue.
Working conditions
You work in parish communities, hospitals, prisons or diocesan institutions. Your workplace often changes between churches, counselling centres and social projects.
Where to learn
- Information Kirchliche Berufe IKBAbendweg 1, 6000 Luzern
- Theologische Fakultät der Universität Luzern Frohburgstr. 3Postfach 4466, 6002 Luzern
Strengths
- Sociability
- Sense of responsibility
- Empathy
- Social skills
Trade-offs
- Irregular hours
- Emotional strain
- Diverse tasks
- Church regulations
06 · Similar
