Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 88'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 91'065 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 94'141 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 110'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 117'595 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 121'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsChemistry & Physics
Kantonschemiker/in
You run a cantonal laboratory and ensure food safety
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You manage laboratories, monitor food inspections, and ensure compliance with food laws.
Kantonschemiker/in hold a central role in public health and food safety. You run cantonal laboratories, coordinate inspectors, and make sure all products meet strict legal rules. You use your expertise to monitor quality standards and enforce food laws consistently.
FieldChemistry & Physics
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryChemistry, Pharma & Biotech
Swissdoc 0.540.7.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Chemist. Based on 611 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+17% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 90'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 95'775 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 100'268 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 105'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Berne | CHF 112'500 | 34 |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 110'125 | 54 |
| Aargau | CHF 104'850 | 59 |
| Basel-Land | CHF 102'995 | 54 |
| Lucerne | CHF 102'000 | 16 |
| Valais | CHF 100'268 | 35 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Technology | CHF 124'628 | 10 |
| Consumer / Luxury goods industry | CHF 120'000 | 5 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 115'000 | 17 |
| Machine / System construction | CHF 107'900 | 15 |
| Utilities | CHF 100'000 | 5 |
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 97'647 | 449 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Kantonschemiker/in
Official education path
Entry requires a master’s degree or equivalent university study, combined with professional practice experience.
Typical training path
Kantonschemiker/in
Prerequisites
- Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) Universitäre Hochschule
- Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Universitäre Hochschule
- Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS/UP) Universitäre Hochschule
Requirements
- High sense of responsibility
- Ethical conduct
- Leadership and social skills
- Networked thinking and action
Where this can lead
Career changers can enter if they hold a science degree with chemistry or biochemistry as a main subject and prove the required work experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- High sense of responsibility
- Ethical conduct
- Leadership and social skills
- Networked thinking and action
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You work in the lab to check food analysis results. At the same time, you coordinate team workflows and give expert instructions.
- You run the cantonal lab and manage all analytical processes.
- You monitor compliance with food laws at all inspection points.
- You train and guide cantonal food inspectors.
- You review analysis results and take immediate action if standards are not met.
- You coordinate with other authorities and external labs.
- You ensure all quality standards meet legal requirements.
Working conditions
You work in cantonal laboratories and public administration offices. Your environment features clear structures, analytical equipment, and administrative routines.
Strengths
- High sense of responsibility
- Ethical conduct
- Leadership and social skills
- Networked thinking and action
Trade-offs
- High responsibility
- Bureaucratic processes
- Public visibility
06 · Similar
