Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 108'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 109'500 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 104'911 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 125'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 111'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 113'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Nautische/r Fachmann/-frau EFZ
You steer ships on European waterways and ensure safe operations on board.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You navigate cargo and passenger ships. You monitor engines and coordinate cargo operations at sea.
As a Nautische/r Fachmann/-frau EFZ, you take responsibility for navigation and safety on board. You steer ships on European waters. You monitor technical systems and coordinate complex loading operations. Your work requires precision, teamwork, and the willingness to spend longer periods at sea. This profession offers an exciting career path in international shipping for people with technical understanding and a strong sense of responsibility.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryWater Transport
Swissdoc 0.635.3.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Operational Planning Director. Based on 69 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+25% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 108'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 104'250 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 101'101 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 135'129 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Machine / System construction | CHF 140'000 | 7 |
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 124'000 | 5 |
| Industry various | CHF 110'000 | 9 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 96'800 | 10 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Nautische/r Fachmann/-frau EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
The training takes place practically on a ship on European waterways, combined with block courses at a vocational school.
Typical training path
Nautische/r Fachmann/-frau EFZ
Curriculum
- Steuern von Fahrzeugen Anwenden der Fahrzeugausrüstung Prüfen und Instandhalten von Anlagen, Hydrauliksystemen sowie von Schiffsmotoren Mitwirken in der Sozialgemeinschaft an Bord Durchführen qualitätssichernder Massnahmen Handeln in Notfallsituationen Mit Schwerpunkt Frachtschifffahrt:
- Be- und Entladen von Fahrzeugen Mit Schwerpunkt Personenschifffahrt:
- Befördern von Personen
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- Enjoyment of practical outdoor work
- Good health and resilience to weather
- Willingness to work irregular hours
- Manual dexterity
- Sense of responsibility
- Sense of direction
- Good eyesight, no colour vision defects
- No hypersensitivity to noise and vibrations
- 1Steuern von Fahrzeugen Anwenden der Fahrzeugausrüstung Prüfen und Instandhalten von Anlagen, Hydrauliksystemen sowie von Schiffsmotoren Mitwirken in der Sozialgemeinschaft an Bord Durchführen qualitätssichernder Massnahmen Handeln in Notfallsituationen Mit Schwerpunkt Frachtschifffahrt:
- 2Be- und Entladen von Fahrzeugen Mit Schwerpunkt Personenschifffahrt:
- 3Befördern von Personen
Where this can lead
Career changers ideally bring prior technical knowledge or maritime experience. A completed basic qualification in technology or ship operations makes the transition easier.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Teamwork
- Sense of responsibility
- Resilience to weather
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the bridge and check the electronic charts as the ship slowly enters the harbour. At the same time, you monitor the engine room and coordinate the safe docking with the crew.
- You navigate ships on European waterways under the supervision of the ship's command.
- You carefully prepare the ship for loading and unloading.
- You continuously check the cargo and the ship's stability.
- You secure the ship with ropes and release them after arrival.
- You communicate via radio with the port control and report distances.
- You operate the rudder, engines, and electronic chart systems with precision.
- You monitor engines, winches, and pumps and carry out minor repairs.
- You enforce safety regulations and inform passengers during alarms.
Working conditions
You work on container ships, tankers, or cruise ships for international shipping companies or independent owners. Your workplace is the world of shipping, where you work in a team around the clock.
Where to learn
- Schweizerische Vereinigung für Schifffahrt und HafenwirtschaftSüdquaistrasse 14, 4019 Basel
- Schweizerische Rheinhäfen Port of SwitzerlandHochbergerstrasse 160, 4019 Basel
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Teamwork
- Sense of responsibility
- Resilience to weather
Trade-offs
- Irregular working hours
- Long periods away
- Physical strain
- Strict safety rules
06 · Similar
