Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 66'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 68'250 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 75'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 75'400 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 84'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 92'780 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsChemistry & Physics
Chemie- und Pharmatechnologe/-login EFZ
You operate and monitor automated production plants for pharmaceuticals and chemistry
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You prepare chemical and pharmaceutical production processes. You monitor automated plants and ensure quality and safety standards.
In highly automated labs and production halls, you guide raw materials into finished medicines or cosmetics. You control complex machines, check process data, and react quickly to deviations. Precision and safety always come first. Your technical skills and careful work directly improve the quality and reliability of chemical products.
FieldChemistry & Physics
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryChemistry, Pharma & Biotech
Swissdoc 0.540.16.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Chemistry Lab Professional. Based on 1,657 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+11% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 70'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 72'382 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 74'345 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 78'046 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Appenzell A. | CHF 89'000 | 13 |
| Lucerne | CHF 85'700 | 52 |
| Geneva | CHF 84'250 | 42 |
| Solothurn | CHF 81'068 | 18 |
| Schaffhausen | CHF 80'098 | 38 |
| Basel-Land | CHF 80'000 | 174 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 94'800 | 45 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 85'700 | 23 |
| Utilities | CHF 84'036 | 18 |
| Legal / Business advice | CHF 79'950 | 8 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 79'800 | 31 |
| Education | CHF 77'636 | 17 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Chemie- und Pharmatechnologe/-login EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
Training takes three years. It combines weekly vocational school with practical work in a production facility.
Typical training path
Chemie- und Pharmatechnologe/-login EFZ
Curriculum
- Bewirtschaften von Prozessstoffen
- Handhaben von Energieträgern und Prozessstoffen
- Konfigurieren und Reparieren von Anlagen und Apparaten
- Durchführen von chemischen, biotechnologischen und pharmatechnologischen Prozessen
- Durchführen von Reinigungsprozessen
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- Interest in mathematics, chemistry, physics
- Technical interest
- Manual dexterity
- Good observation skills
- Exactness
- Good health (no allergies)
- 1Bewirtschaften von Prozessstoffen
- 2Handhaben von Energieträgern und Prozessstoffen
- 3Konfigurieren und Reparieren von Anlagen und Apparaten
- 4Durchführen von chemischen, biotechnologischen und pharmatechnologischen Prozessen
- 5Durchführen von Reinigungsprozessen
Where this can lead
Career changers can often enter with extra qualifications or industry experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Precise work
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the control panel of the automated plant. You check on screen if pressure and temperature match the requirements. You adjust parameters or take samples for lab analysis when needed.
- You prepare the production process and mix process materials precisely.
- You operate and monitor automated plants for medicines and cosmetics.
- You constantly check pressure and temperature to ensure optimal conditions.
- You quickly fix plant faults to avoid downtime.
- You monitor chemical reactions, fermentation, or distillation step by step.
- You take samples and test them with special analysis devices.
- You document the entire manufacturing process without gaps. You record all values.
- You strictly follow health and environmental protection guidelines.
Working conditions
You work in teams in labs and production facilities in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetic industry. You often work shifts, including weekends. You always wear protective clothing.
Where to learn
- aprentas Ausbildungsverbund Berufliche Grund- und Weiterbildung Mauerstrasse4002 Basel
- scienceindustriesNordstr. 15, 8021 Zürich
- Schweizerischer Chemie- und Pharmaberufe Verband (SCV)Postfach 509, 4005 Basel
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Precise work
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
Trade-offs
- Shift work
- Physical strain
- High responsibility
- Chemical exposure
06 · Similar
