Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 84'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 92'500 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 99'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 98'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 119'273 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 153'300 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Mikrobiologe/-biologin
You study tiny organisms in the lab for medicine, industry, and the environment.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Microbiologists analyze microorganisms in the lab. They develop solutions for medicine, biotechnology, and environmental protection.
In the lab, you stand before the microscope. You analyze bacteria or viruses. You study their structure and genetics. You look for new uses in medicine or the food industry. Your work combines biology and chemistry with high precision. Whether in research, industry, or environmental protection, your results help protect health and the environment.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryChemistry, Pharma & Biotech
Swissdoc 0.540.2.2
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Microbiologist. Based on 42 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
-25% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 140'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 94'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 106'386 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 104'488 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Technology | CHF 101'750 | 6 |
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 93'375 | 22 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Mikrobiologin / Mikrobiologe
Official education path
You enter the field through a university master's degree in microbiology or biology with a relevant specialization.
Typical training path
Mikrobiologin / Mikrobiologe
Prerequisites
- Master from a Universitäre Hochschule
- Dissertation (for a research career)
Requirements
- Interest and understanding of natural sciences, especially biology and chemistry
- Passion for laboratory work
- Clean and precise way of working
- High sense of responsibility
- Persistence
Where this can lead
A career change is possible with a related master's degree in biology, chemistry, or environmental science. Additional teaching certificates open paths to school teaching.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Scientific understanding
- Precise work
- Persistence
- Safety awareness
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You prepare samples. You run sterile cultures in the lab. You analyze measurement data on the computer. You strictly follow safety rules. You document every step without gaps.
- You isolate and grow bacteria, fungi, or viruses under sterile conditions.
- You analyze the genetic structure and reproduction methods of the samples.
- You test how microorganisms affect plants, animals, or human cells.
- You develop biotechnological processes for the pharmaceutical or food industry.
- You evaluate complex lab results. You write detailed research reports.
- You supervise students at universities. You lead scientific projects.
Working conditions
You work mainly in specialized labs at universities, research institutes, or in industry. You also find jobs in public testing facilities, environmental protection, or ecological consulting offices.
Strengths
- Scientific understanding
- Precise work
- Persistence
- Safety awareness
Trade-offs
- Long research paths
- High safety requirements
- Recurring routine
- Academic pressure
06 · Similar
