Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 70'200 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 71'779 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 76'983 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 80'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 85'150 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 91'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsHealthcare
Ergotherapeut/in FH
You help people regain their ability to manage daily life.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Ergotherapeuten FH promote patient independence through practical exercises and targeted therapies.
As an Ergotherapeut/in FH at a university of applied sciences, you walk alongside people on their path back to daily life. Whether after an accident, with a chronic illness, or in old age: you find the root causes of limitations. You set clear therapy goals together with your clients. Through focused exercises in cooking, dressing, or mobility, you strengthen your patients. You work closely with doctors, nurses, and family members. Your goal is to improve quality of life for the long term.
FieldHealthcare
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryHealthcare
Swissdoc 0.723.1.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Occupational Therapist. Based on 297 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+2% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 77'699 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 76'230 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 71'500 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 79'631 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 85'235 | 41 |
| Fribourg | CHF 84'000 | 13 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 79'560 | 12 |
| Lucerne | CHF 77'179 | 12 |
| Thurgau | CHF 75'400 | 15 |
| Berne | CHF 74'000 | 18 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health care / Social services | CHF 76'963 | 281 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Bachelor of Science in Ergotherapie
Official education path
The degree at a university of applied sciences usually takes 3 years full-time. It leads to a Bachelor of Science in Ergotherapie.
Prerequisites
- Berufs-, Fach- oder gymnasiale Maturität
- eidg. Fachausweis (BP)
- eidg. Diplom (HFP)
- Abschluss einer Höheren Fachschule (HF)
- 12-month preparatory internship (at least 8 months in health/social care, 4 months in other sectors)
- At least 2-month preparatory internship for applicants with a degree in health or social care
- Fachpersonen Gesundheit EFZ with Berufsmaturität or a Fachmaturität Gesundheit (no internship required)
- Good English and IT skills
- Aptitude assessment
Requirements
- Interest in working with people with disabilities
- Reflexionsfähigkeit
- Good observation skills
- Communication and teamwork skills
- Networked thinking and action
- Practical intelligence
Where this can lead
Career changers from the health or social care sector can start the degree directly. They need a shortened preparatory internship and an aptitude assessment.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Empathetic attitude
- Analytical thinking
- Teamwork skills
- Practical intelligence
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand with a patient in the therapy room. You practice dressing independently after surgery, step by step. You give clear instructions. You adjust assistive devices. You record progress in the patient file.
- You have detailed conversations to find out why daily actions are limited.
- You check environmental factors and personal habits for individual therapy planning.
- You set clear therapy goals together with clients. You then start the measures.
- You train daily routines like cooking, personal hygiene, and using public transport.
- You support children through playful activities. You help seniors with mobility.
- You accompany patients during professional reintegration or school difficulties.
- You carefully document therapy progress. You initiate adjustments if needed.
Working conditions
You work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, care homes, and specialized clinics. You cover various medical departments. Teaching, research, or working abroad also open up further opportunities for you.
Where to learn
- ErgotherapeutInnen-Verband Schweiz EVS Altenbergstr. 29Postfach 686, 3000 Bern
Strengths
- Empathetic attitude
- Analytical thinking
- Teamwork skills
- Practical intelligence
Trade-offs
- Emotional strain
- High responsibility
- Administrative effort
- Physical demands
06 · Similar
