Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 100'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 110'527 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 140'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 150'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 163'500 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 137'500 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Forstingenieur/in FH
You manage forests sustainably. You combine nature conservation with timber use.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Forstingenieur/in FH plan and lead sustainable forest projects. You protect against natural hazards. You also coordinate timber operations.
The forest is more than just timber. You manage it as a complex ecosystem. You balance ecological responsibility with economic goals. Whether in the office or in the field, you develop concepts to protect against avalanches. You promote biodiversity and coordinate harvesting. Your expertise secures the future of our forests for coming generations.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryForestry
Swissdoc 0.120.8.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Foreign Exchange Trader. Based on 557 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
-1% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 121'381 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 120'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 127'409 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 120'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 137'500 | 123 |
| Zug | CHF 128'650 | 14 |
| Geneva | CHF 126'000 | 74 |
| Berne | CHF 106'000 | 21 |
| Vaud | CHF 97'700 | 36 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | CHF 144'000 | 29 |
| Banking / Financial institutions | CHF 135'000 | 334 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 131'750 | 10 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 125'000 | 12 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 124'250 | 28 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 120'000 | 21 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Eidg. anerkanntes Diplom "Bachelor of Science BFH in Waldwissenschaften"
- ⏱ 3 Jahre Vollzeit (Teilzeit entsprechend länger)
Official education path
The training is a three-year full-time study program at a university of applied sciences. It focuses on forest science.
Typical training path
Eidg. anerkanntes Diplom "Bachelor of Science BFH in Waldwissenschaften"
Prerequisites
- Berufsmaturität
- Fachmaturität
- gymnasiale Maturität
- eidgenössisches Fähigkeitszeugnis in a related profession
- guided pre-study internship in the field of forest and environment
- Language skills (instruction in German and French)
Requirements
- interdisciplinary and networked thinking
- teamwork skills
- analytical-conceptual skills
- leadership qualities
- organizational skills
Where this can lead
Career changers can enter after a related vocational certificate or a guided internship.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Systems thinking
- Leadership skills
- Analytical precision
- Communication skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the forest edge. You check slope stability with a measuring device. Then you go to the office to draft plans for the next timber harvest.
- You plan sustainable management concepts for different forest areas.
- You assess slope and tree stability in the field.
- You coordinate cooperation between forestry operations and authorities.
- You develop strategies to protect against natural hazards like falling rocks.
- You monitor the implementation of management plans for larger landowners.
- You conduct biodiversity monitoring in different forest types.
- You lead teams when planning protective forest projects.
- You optimize the logistics and marketing of harvested forest products.
Working conditions
You work in an office for planning and administration. But you are regularly in the field for inspections and measurements.
Where to learn
- Hochschule für Agrar-, Forst- u. Lebensmittelwissenschaften HAFL Berner Fachhochschule BFHLänggasse 85, 3052 Zollikofen
- Codoc Koordination und Dokumentation Bildung Wald Hardernstr. 20Postfach 339, 3250 Lyss
Strengths
- Systems thinking
- Leadership skills
- Analytical precision
- Communication skills
Trade-offs
- Weather dependency
- High responsibility
- Changing work locations
- Administrative workload
06 · Similar
