Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 71'150 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 74'100 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 77'750 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 80'800 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 85'419 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 92'800 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsBuilding Services
Kältesystem-Techniker/in BP
You plan, install and maintain complex refrigeration and heat pump systems.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
As a team leader, you commission, maintain and optimise refrigeration systems for industry and commerce.
Kältesystem-Technikerinnen und Kältesystem-Techniker are the experts for complex cooling and heat pump systems. You plan the commissioning, coordinate specialist teams on construction sites and optimise measurement and control technology. Your technical know-how ensures the safety, energy efficiency and performance of critical infrastructure. Regular training keeps your knowledge up to date.
FieldBuilding Services
Education pathContinuing Education Profession
IndustryBuilding services: plumbing, HVAC
Swissdoc 0.440.75.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Refrigeration Mechanic. Based on 690 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+3% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 78'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 77'500 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 79'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 80'600 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Lucerne | CHF 86'200 | 31 |
| Zurich | CHF 85'000 | 127 |
| Basel-Land | CHF 84'650 | 12 |
| Aargau | CHF 82'530 | 42 |
| St. Gallen | CHF 81'951 | 21 |
| Vaud | CHF 80'300 | 54 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 95'500 | 12 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 81'582 | 64 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 80'000 | 152 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 79'170 | 206 |
| Industry various | CHF 76'775 | 58 |
| Utilities | CHF 75'000 | 88 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Kältesystemtechniker/in mit eidg. Fachausweis
- ⏱ 1,5 Jahre, berufsbegleitend
Official education path
The part-time course lasts 1,5 years and qualifies you for the federal professional certificate in refrigeration technology.
Typical training path
Kältesystemtechniker/in mit eidg. Fachausweis
Curriculum
- Projektmanagement und Führung Mess-, Steuerungs- und Regelungstechnik (MSR) Elektrotechnik Kältetechnik 1:
- Kontrolle Montage, Inbetriebsetzung Kältetechnik 2:
- Instandsetzung, Instandhaltung, Optimierung Hydraulik Labor / Vernetzungsmodul
Prerequisites
- eidg. Fähigkeitszeugnis (EFZ) as Kältesystem-Monteur/in, Kältesystem-Planer/in or an equivalent qualification and at least 2 years of professional experience in handling refrigeration systems
- EFZ or equivalent qualification and at least 4 years of professional experience in handling refrigeration systems
- Proof of the required module completions or equivalency certificates
- Specialist permit for handling refrigerants
- Connection permit according to Low Voltage Installation Ordinance (NIV) Art. 15
- Proof of training 'Safe handling of flammable refrigerants'
- Proof of SUVA-recognised training 'personal fall protection equipment (PSAgA)'
Requirements
- Sense of responsibility
- Interest in physical processes
- Technical understanding
- Organisational and planning skills
- Building technology knowledge
- Technical dexterity
- 1Projektmanagement und Führung Mess-, Steuerungs- und Regelungstechnik (MSR) Elektrotechnik Kältetechnik 1:
- 2Kontrolle Montage, Inbetriebsetzung Kältetechnik 2:
- 3Instandsetzung, Instandhaltung, Optimierung Hydraulik Labor / Vernetzungsmodul
Where this can lead
Career changers can enter the field if you have equivalent initial training and sufficient professional experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Planning skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Building technology knowledge
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand on the construction site and check the electrical connections and hydraulic pipes of a new refrigeration system. Together with your team, you vacuum the circuit and then fill it with refrigerant correctly.
- You plan the commissioning and create detailed installation plans for the team.
- You hold meetings with clients, architects and builders to coordinate the project.
- You check electrical connections and hydraulic systems to ensure they work properly.
- You analyse energy consumption and optimise measurement and control technology.
- You monitor maintenance processes and carry out regular safety checks.
- You document all work carefully in the system maintenance log.
Working conditions
You mainly work on construction sites or at already installed refrigeration systems in industry and commerce. Your workplace changes depending on the project between the workshop, technical room and outdoor installation sites.
Where to learn
- Schweizerischer Verband für Kältetechnik (SVK)Eichistrasse 1, 6055 Alpnach Dorf
- Schweizerisch-Liechtensteinischer Gebäudetechnikverband (suissetec)Auf der Mauer 11, 8021 Zürich
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Planning skills
- Sense of responsibility
- Building technology knowledge
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- On-call duty
- Regular training
- Environmental and safety risks
06 · Similar
