Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 77'750 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 77'500 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 72'500 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 71'250 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 70'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 77'700 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Kapitän/in
You steer ships on Swiss lakes and waterways.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
As Kapitän/in, you are responsible for safe navigation, crew leadership, and passenger services on inland waterways.
You take command on Swiss lakes and border waters. Whether in summer or winter, you navigate safely through the channels, monitor the technology, and lead the crew. You combine technical know-how with a strong service mindset. Your responsibility ranges from passenger safety to ship maintenance.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryWater Transport
Swissdoc 0.635.4.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Captain. Based on 44 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+25% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 55'250 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 67'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 74'100 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 68'980 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 86'000 | 9 |
| Tourism / Travel / Recreation | CHF 72'650 | 16 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Eidg. Ausweis der entsprechenden Kategorie im Fahrgastverkehr "Kapitän/in" oder "Schiffsführer/in"
- ⏱ Die Ausbildung beansprucht insgesamt 4 bis 12 Jahre
Official education path
The training leads to a federal certificate for passenger transport and takes between four and twelve years.
Typical training path
Eidg. Ausweis der entsprechenden Kategorie im Fahrgastverkehr "Kapitän/in" oder "Schiffsführer/in"
Prerequisites
- Completion of vocational basic training in a profession of mechanics, electrical installation or electrical engineering, as a painter, tinsmith, carpenter, or Kaufmann/-frau
- Positive medical fitness assessment
- Successful activity as a Matrose/Matrosin, later as a Kassier/in and Maschinist/in
- Minimum age: 21 years
Requirements
- Reliability
- Friendly demeanor
- Physical and mental resilience
- Technical understanding
- High sense of responsibility
- Teamwork skills
- Service mindset
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Sense of responsibility
- Service mindset
- Decisiveness
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand on the bridge, check the instruments, and hold the course on the water. During the trip, you give instructions to the crew and inform the passengers about the surroundings.
- You operate the control system and monitor the engines on the bridge.
- You navigate the ship safely through the channels using radar, GPS, and special charts.
- You lead the ship's crew and coordinate boarding and disembarkation processes.
- You monitor compliance with all safety regulations on board.
- You inform passengers about the waterway and the connections.
- You carry out maintenance work on the ship and handle administrative tasks.
Working conditions
You work on the bridge of ships on Swiss inland and border waters. In winter, you often move to the shipyard for maintenance work.
Where to learn
- Verband Schweiz. Schifffahrtsunternehmungen VSSUMythenquai 333, 8038 Zürich
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Sense of responsibility
- Service mindset
- Decisiveness
Trade-offs
- Irregular working hours
- High concentration
- Physical strain
- Isolation in the wheelhouse
06 · Similar
