Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 80'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 80'600 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 82'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 82'356 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 86'480 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 90'925 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Forstmaschinenführer/in BP
Specialist for the safe and eco-friendly use of forestry machines in the woods
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You operate heavy forestry machines, plan harvesting trips, and help preserve the forest.
In the dense forest, you decide the route for logging every day. With modern technology and careful handling, you protect the soil and spare remaining trees. Your expertise combines precise machine control with a deep understanding of nature. This secures the future of the forest and the long-term supply of renewable resources for society.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathContinuing Education Profession
IndustryForestry
Swissdoc 0.120.7.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Foreman. Based on 1,878 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+14% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 80'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 84'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 83'980 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 91'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Vaud | CHF 90'000 | 151 |
| Zurich | CHF 89'440 | 257 |
| Obwalden | CHF 89'339 | 16 |
| Basel-Land | CHF 88'583 | 40 |
| Schwyz | CHF 88'290 | 42 |
| Schaffhausen | CHF 88'005 | 16 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 99'400 | 16 |
| Utilities | CHF 92'207 | 19 |
| Recruitment agency / Staffing | CHF 89'000 | 6 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 85'800 | 1,399 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 85'730 | 22 |
| Consulting various | CHF 83'320 | 6 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Forstmaschinenführer/in mit eidgenössischem Fachausweis
- ⏱ ca. 1 Jahr, berufsbegleitend (ca. 20-30 Kurstage)
Official education path
The career path leads to a federal specialist certificate through a part-time course of about one year.
Typical training path
Forstmaschinenführer/in mit eidgenössischem Fachausweis
Prerequisites
- Other completed vocational basic training or equivalent certificate and at least 5 years of professional experience in a forestry operation or company
- Required module completions or equivalency certificates
Requirements
- Enjoyment of working outdoors
- Independence
- Good health for physically demanding work in all weather conditions
- Technical understanding for working with machines and equipment
- Physical strength
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Environmental awareness
- Physical endurance
- Independence
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit in the protected cabin and precisely control the crane arms while the engine hums in the woods. With every pull of the control lever, you choose the next path that protects both the soil and the trees.
- You prepare for logging and choose gentle routes through the forest.
- You program the machine electronics and control the crane arms and winches from the cabin.
- You attach the cut timber to the winches and secure it for transport.
- You maintain the heavy equipment and perform simple hydraulic or mechanical repairs.
- You document your work steps and keep detailed reports on machine usage.
Working conditions
You work for municipal, cantonal, or private forestry operations at changing locations in the woods. Sometimes you work abroad or run your own forestry business.
Where to learn
- Codoc Koordination und Dokumentation Bildung Wald Hardernstr. 20Postfach 339, 3250 Lyss
- WaldSchweizRosenweg 14, 4501 Solothurn
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Environmental awareness
- Physical endurance
- Independence
Trade-offs
- Weather dependency
- Changing work locations
- Physical demands
- High responsibility
06 · Similar
