Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 55'900 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 57'200 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 60'605 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 63'607 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 65'004 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 68'531 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Forstwart-Vorarbeiter/in BP
You lead forestry teams and care for the forest sustainably.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
As a group leader in forestry, you organise timber harvests, supervise teams, and care for the forest.
You are responsible for the forest and the people who work in it. In your role as a supervisor, you lead teams during timber harvests and young forest care. You plan construction work, monitor safety rules, and train new staff. The job requires physical strength and independence. Yet you benefit from working outdoors and taking responsibility for sustainable resources.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathContinuing Education Profession
IndustryForestry
Swissdoc 0.120.5.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
⚠ Estimated — based on a related role
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on FaBe. Based on 2,874 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+3% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 60'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 59'403 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 57'679 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 61'670 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Solothurn | CHF 65'000 | 69 |
| Schaffhausen | CHF 64'500 | 50 |
| Appenzell I. | CHF 63'600 | 13 |
| Appenzell A. | CHF 62'800 | 35 |
| Zurich | CHF 62'400 | 594 |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 62'250 | 110 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting various | CHF 70'000 | 9 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 61'000 | 113 |
| Health care / Social services | CHF 60'000 | 2,405 |
| Medical Technology | CHF 59'000 | 7 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 58'500 | 157 |
| Education | CHF 58'050 | 82 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Forstwart-Vorarbeiter/in mit eidgenössischem Fachausweis
- ⏱ 1½ - 3 Jahre, berufsbegleitend
Official education path
The part-time course lasts 1½ - 3 years. It leads to the federal professional certificate.
Typical training path
Forstwart-Vorarbeiter/in mit eidgenössischem Fachausweis
Prerequisites
- Completed basic vocational training as a Forstwart/in EFZ and at least 2 years of professional experience after completion of basic training
- Required module completions or equivalency certificates
Requirements
- Enjoyment of working outdoors
- Independence
- Good health for physically demanding work in all weather conditions
- Physical strength
Where this can lead
A career change is possible with another completed vocational apprenticeship and 5 years of practical experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Physical stamina
- Team leadership
- Environmental awareness
- Independence
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the forest edge in the morning. You tell your group which trees must be cut down. After work, you check the equipment together. You also record the hours worked.
- You organise and lead timber harvests according to the forester's instructions.
- You monitor the felling, limbing, and cutting of timber.
- You implement care plans for young forests and biotopes.
- You assess the condition of the trees. You also plant new saplings.
- You carry out construction work like stream reinforcement or forest path maintenance.
- You coordinate work with external companies and suppliers.
- You train your staff on safety rules.
- You supervise apprentices and share practical knowledge in the forest.
Working conditions
You work in municipal forestry departments, private forestry companies, or the timber industry. Your main workplace is the forest. You also use workshops and construction sites.
Where to learn
- Bildungszentrum Wald Lyss Hardernstr. 20Postfach 252, 3250 Lyss
- WaldSchweizRosenweg 14, 4501 Solothurn
- Codoc Koordination und Dokumentation Bildung Wald Hardernstr. 20Postfach 339, 3250 Lyss
- ibW Bildungszentrum Wald und Holz7304 Maienfeld
Strengths
- Physical stamina
- Team leadership
- Environmental awareness
- Independence
Trade-offs
- Weather dependency
- Physical exhaustion
- Limited job market
- Pressure of responsibility
06 · Similar
