Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 72'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 72'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 75'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 80'600 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 85'696 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsFood
Lebensmittelwissenschaftler/in ETH
You secure global food supplies with innovative products and sustainable processes.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Lebensmittelwissenschaftler/in ETH develop safe products, optimise production processes and advise on nutrition and health.
The global population is growing and resources are becoming scarcer. As a Lebensmittelwissenschaftler/in ETH, you combine chemistry, biology and technology to develop healthy food. You monitor production processes, improve recipes and ensure the highest safety standards. Your knowledge protects consumers and preserves the environment. You often work in leadership roles and actively shape the future of nutrition.
FieldFood
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryIndustrial Food Production
Swissdoc 0.210.33.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Lebensmittelingenieurin. Based on 460 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
View as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 78'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 74'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 75'226 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 78'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Berne | CHF 78'500 | 42 |
| Zurich | CHF 78'250 | 72 |
| Lucerne | CHF 78'000 | 30 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 75'000 | 55 |
| Thurgau | CHF 66'125 | 16 |
| Aargau | CHF 64'850 | 60 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Machine / System construction | CHF 102'500 | 11 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 100'500 | 5 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 91'888 | 15 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 78'000 | 76 |
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 76'500 | 26 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 75'608 | 6 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Master Lebensmittelwissenschaften
Official education path
The main route is a university master's degree at an ETH with a focus on food science.
Typical training path
Master Lebensmittelwissenschaften
Prerequisites
- Master Universitäre Hochschule Studium an der Eidg. Technischen Hochschule Zürich, Fachrichtung Lebensmittelwissenschaften
Where this can lead
Career changers are rare because the role requires specific academic knowledge. Professionals from food engineering or nutrition science occasionally move into related areas.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Analytical thinking
- Process optimisation
- Sense of responsibility
- Teamwork
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You work in the laboratory and analyse new raw materials for suitability. You then discuss the results with the production team to adjust the formula for the market.
- You develop new food products and optimise their manufacturing processes.
- You monitor quality throughout the entire production chain.
- You analyse nutritional values and check their health safety.
- You lead specialist teams when introducing new methods.
- You advise authorities and companies on food safety.
- You help design sustainable packaging and storage methods.
Working conditions
You mainly work in the food industry, research laboratories or food authorities. You also often find jobs at universities or in international development cooperation.
Strengths
- Analytical thinking
- Process optimisation
- Sense of responsibility
- Teamwork
Trade-offs
- High responsibility
- Regulatory pressure
- Research routine
- Economic pressure
06 · Similar
