Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 71'150 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 77'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 79'143 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 82'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 90'073 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 100'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Lokführer/in
You steer trains safely and on time across Switzerland
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Lokführer/in steer passenger and freight trains, monitor vehicles, and ensure safe journeys on the rails.
In the cab of a locomotive, you decide on safety and punctuality. Whether for passengers or freight: you steer heavy trains, monitor complex electronics, and react to signals. Your work requires high concentration, technical understanding, and strong nerves. With irregular hours and great responsibility, you accompany thousands of travellers daily or transport important goods across Switzerland.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryRail
Swissdoc 0.632.6.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Lokführerin. Based on 509 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+6% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 80'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 76'900 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 79'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 85'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Schwyz | CHF 100'000 | 13 |
| Lucerne | CHF 89'224 | 23 |
| Berne | CHF 85'475 | 58 |
| Geneva | CHF 84'750 | 14 |
| Solothurn | CHF 84'500 | 15 |
| Thurgau | CHF 82'660 | 16 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Service sector in general | CHF 85'451 | 40 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 80'000 | 375 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 79'143 | 19 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 79'000 | 15 |
| Tourism / Travel / Recreation | CHF 77'000 | 28 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Führerausweis für Triebfahrzeugführende BAV Lokführer/in
- ⏱ In der Regel 12 bis 16 Monate, Vollzeit
Official education path
Training is provided directly by the rail companies and usually lasts twelve to sixteen months.
Typical training path
Führerausweis für Triebfahrzeugführende BAV Lokführer/in
Prerequisites
- Completion of a 3-year vocational basic education or a gymnasiale Maturität
- Very good German skills (level C2)
- Oral language skills in another national language (level A1)
- Medical and psychological aptitude test
- Minimum age (20 or 22 years) and maximum age (40 to 49 years) in some rail companies
Requirements
- Flawless color vision (no red/green weakness)
- High independence
- Willingness to work irregular hours
- Physical and mental resilience
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Decision-making confidence
- Concentration
- Nerve strength
- Language skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
Before departure, you check the brakes and signals in the cab. During the journey, you watch the track closely and adjust your speed to the conditions.
- You steer electric and diesel locomotives for passenger and freight services.
- You check the technical monitoring and braking systems before every trip.
- You follow numerous signals and geographical features during the journey.
- You adjust your speed for construction sites and timetables.
- You communicate by radio with control centres and other stations.
- You solve technical problems quickly and calmly in case of disruptions.
- You inform passengers about delays and diversions if needed.
- You update all necessary driving and route data before your shift starts.
Working conditions
You work mainly in the cab of locomotives and at rail depots. Your work environment includes maintenance depots, stations, and the open rail network across Switzerland.
Where to learn
- Verband Schweizer Lokomotivführer und Anwärter VSLF8000 Zürich
- BLS AGGenfergasse 11, 3001 Bern
- Schweizerische Südostbahn AGBahnhofplatz 1a, 9001 St. Gallen
- SBB AG Team Sourcing, Recruiting & Talents3000 Bern
- Rhätische BahnBahnhofstrasse 25, 7001 Chur
- Appenzeller Bahnen AG St.Gallerstrasse 53, 9102 Herisau
- Thurbo AG Bahnhofstrasse 31Postfach 2272, 8280 Kreuzlingen
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Decision-making confidence
- Concentration
- Nerve strength
- Language skills
Trade-offs
- Irregular hours
- High responsibility
- Working alone
- Physical strain
06 · Similar
