Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 50'850 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 53'720 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 56'666 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 62'400 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 62'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 64'392 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Tiermedizinische/r Praxisassistent/in EFZ
You support veterinarians in daily practice and take care of the animals' health.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
As a veterinary practice assistant, you accompany veterinary treatments, care for animals, and organise daily practice operations.
This profession combines veterinary expertise with practical support in daily clinic operations. You handle reception duties, assist with surgeries, and care for patients. Hygiene, organisation, and a steady hand are just as important as empathy. This role demands responsibility, teamwork, and a willingness to work irregular hours.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryAnimal Husbandry & Care
Swissdoc 0.140.18.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Veterinary Assistant. Based on 205 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+13% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 52'060 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 50'400 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 51'125 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 58'605 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Basel-Land | CHF 67'826 | 12 |
| Berne | CHF 61'849 | 18 |
| Zurich | CHF 58'968 | 25 |
| Fribourg | CHF 58'751 | 12 |
| Geneva | CHF 55'938 | 14 |
| Aargau | CHF 54'698 | 19 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health care / Social services | CHF 56'892 | 146 |
| Medical Technology | CHF 56'195 | 12 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 50'400 | 21 |
| Legal / Business advice | CHF 44'350 | 6 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Tiermedizinische/r Praxisassistent/in EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
The training is a 3-year vocational foundation programme with practical placement in a veterinary practice.
Typical training path
Tiermedizinische/r Praxisassistent/in EFZ
Curriculum
- Organisieren des Praxisalltags
- Betreuen von Tieren
- Begleiten von tierärztlichen Eingriffen
- Umsetzen von Hygiene- und Sicherheitsmassnahmen
- Anfertigen von konventionellen Röntgenaufnahmen
- Betreuen von Kundinnen und Kunden
- Ausführen von Laborarbeiten
- Ausführen von tierspezifischen Behandlungen und Massnahmen
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- Skill and sensitivity when handling animals and people
- Good observation and quick comprehension
- Practical aptitude
- Special empathy
- High reliability
- Hygiene awareness
- 1Organisieren des Praxisalltags
- 2Betreuen von Tieren
- 3Begleiten von tierärztlichen Eingriffen
- 4Umsetzen von Hygiene- und Sicherheitsmassnahmen
- 5Anfertigen von konventionellen Röntgenaufnahmen
- 6Betreuen von Kundinnen und Kunden
- 7Ausführen von Laborarbeiten
- 8Ausführen von tierspezifischen Behandlungen und Massnahmen
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Animal love and empathy
- Organisational skills
- Hygiene awareness
- Quick comprehension
- Teamwork
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the treatment table, sterilise instruments, and prepare the necessary equipment for the next procedure. You watch the animals closely and support the practice team with every movement.
- You answer calls and advise clients over the phone about animal illnesses.
- You prepare animals for examinations and place them safely on the treatment table.
- You assist with surgeries, monitor anaesthesia, and set up infusions under supervision.
- You clean wounds, groom fur, and apply bandages correctly.
- You take blood samples, prepare X-ray images, and run quick tests in the lab.
- You manage patient files, order medications, and create invoices for insurance companies.
- You clean equipment and disinfect the treatment area after every use.
Working conditions
You work in veterinary practices and animal hospitals at the reception, in examination rooms, operating theatres, and in the laboratory.
Where to learn
- VSTPA Vereinigung der schweizerischen tiermedizinischen Praxisassistentinnen3984 Fiesch
Strengths
- Animal love and empathy
- Organisational skills
- Hygiene awareness
- Quick comprehension
- Teamwork
Trade-offs
- Irregular working hours
- Physical strain
- Emotional demands
- Limited career progression
06 · Similar
