Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 75'400 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 77'960 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 73'953 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 84'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 85'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 96'882 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Materialwissenschaftler/in ETH
You research and develop new materials for high-performance applications
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You analyse material properties and develop innovative materials for industry, medicine and research.
The world of materials is constantly changing. As a Materialwissenschaftler/in ETH, you examine the physical and chemical properties of metals, plastics or ceramics. Your goal is to create new substances that withstand extreme stress. You combine solid expertise with creative problem solving for future technologies. Your work requires precise experimentation and strong theoretical knowledge for modern high-tech.
FieldMetal, Machinery & Watchmaking
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryPlastics, Paper & Surface Technology
Swissdoc 0.553.20.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Materials Engineer. Based on 120 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+14% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 72'500 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 79'500 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 76'170 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 83'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 85'500 | 24 |
| Aargau | CHF 84'500 | 12 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Machine / System construction | CHF 85'450 | 16 |
| Industry various | CHF 83'000 | 37 |
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 79'500 | 6 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 77'960 | 21 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 50'000 | 5 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Master Universitäre Hochschule
Official education path
You complete a first or advanced degree at an ETH to prepare for material research and development.
Typical training path
Master Universitäre Hochschule
Prerequisites
- Master Universitäre Hochschule
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Analytical thinking
- Experimental precision
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Problem-solving skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in the test lab and analyse the microstructure of a new alloy under the microscope. At the same time, you document the test results and check if the material meets the required temperature limits.
- You examine the physical and chemical properties of different materials.
- You develop new materials for specific industrial requirements.
- You test durability under extreme temperatures and pressures.
- You analyse material damage and draw up improvements.
- You document test results in detailed technical reports.
- You work closely with production engineers on scaling up.
Working conditions
You work in test labs, research departments or at universities. You are often employed in the metal, ceramic or plastic industry.
Strengths
- Analytical thinking
- Experimental precision
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Problem-solving skills
Trade-offs
- High responsibility
- Lab work
- Theoretical depth
- Project uncertainty
06 · Similar
