Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 40'800 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 37'128 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 36'120 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 42'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 45'325 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 59'294 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Pferdefachmann/-frau EFZ
You look after horses, teach riding pupils and organise competitions
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Horse professionals look after the daily care, training and education of horses in various specialisations.
Working with horses requires responsibility and joy in daily interaction. You ensure proper housing, prepare the animals for competitions and guide beginners safely in the saddle. Whether in the stable, on the paddock or at tournaments: this job combines animal care with sporting discipline and direct customer contact.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryMovement & Sport
Swissdoc 0.140.29.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Pferdefachmann. Based on 161 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+2% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 42'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 37'564 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 37'443 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 43'020 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Berne | CHF 43'333 | 13 |
| Aargau | CHF 42'840 | 15 |
| Zurich | CHF 40'000 | 23 |
| Vaud | CHF 36'960 | 23 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Health care / Social services | CHF 80'000 | 18 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 40'174 | 20 |
| Agriculture / Forestry / Wood | CHF 39'100 | 99 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Pferdefachmann/-frau EFZ
- ⏱ 3 Jahre
Official education path
The training lasts three years and combines practice in a stable with weekly lessons at the vocational school.
Typical training path
Pferdefachmann/-frau EFZ
Curriculum
- Pflegen der Pferde und der Infrastruktur
- Vor- und Nachbereiten der Pferde und des Materials
- Arbeiten mit Pferden
- Erbringen von Dienstleistungen
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- good relationship with horses (experience in handling horses is an advantage)
- empathy
- sense for practical work
- manual dexterity
- sense of responsibility
- balance and patience
- confident appearance
- joy in customer contact
- robust health (weather resistance, no allergies)
- pedagogical skill
- 1Pflegen der Pferde und der Infrastruktur
- 2Vor- und Nachbereiten der Pferde und des Materials
- 3Arbeiten mit Pferden
- 4Erbringen von Dienstleistungen
Where this can lead
A lateral entry is often possible through related agricultural professions or practical experience in horse keeping.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Animal love and patience
- Manual dexterity
- Customer orientation
- Physical endurance
- Sense of responsibility
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the preparation area and groom a horse while it snorts quietly. Afterwards you lead it to the riding arena. You check the equipment for the next lesson together with the riding instructor.
- You maintain the riding arena and check the riding equipment for safety.
- You prepare the horses for training and build trust.
- You groom the animals carefully and get them ready for competitions.
- You introduce interested people to riding and teach them how to mount.
- You water and feed the horses and clean their hooves daily.
- You clean and disinfect the stalls to ensure hygienic conditions.
- You ride the horses in various disciplines and correct their posture.
- You organise events and help select animals for breeding.
Working conditions
You work in riding centres, stables, riding halls or on pastures in all weathers. Depending on your focus, you can also find work in horse boarding facilities or with private owners.
Where to learn
- Organisation der Arbeitswelt OdA Pferdeberufe GeschäftsstelleHirschmattstrasse 36, 6002 Luzern
- SWISS Horse Professionals Verband für Berufsreiter & professionelle ReitbetriebeMingerstrasse 3, 3014 Bern
Strengths
- Animal love and patience
- Manual dexterity
- Customer orientation
- Physical endurance
- Sense of responsibility
Trade-offs
- Long working days
- Weather dependence
- Travel strain
- Physical exertion
06 · Similar
