Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 60'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 63'375 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 66'300 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 70'200 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 63'350 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 77'920 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsFood
Weinhändler/in
You buy, refine, and sell exquisite wines and wine-based products.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You source wines, taste them carefully, store them properly, and sell them to industry professionals.
The role of a Weinhändler/in combines a passion for vines with business skills. You follow wine development from the vineyard to the glass. You check quality, negotiate with producers, and ensure perfect storage. You combine sensory expertise with careful administration to bring excellent products to professionals and the hospitality industry.
FieldFood
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryRetail
Swissdoc 0.210.28.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Wine Merchant. Based on 63 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+13% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 63'875 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 60'714 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 67'600 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 72'000 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 70'400 | 18 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Catering / Hotel | CHF 66'300 | 9 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 63'700 | 41 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Weinhändler/in
Official education path
Training takes place at specialized education centers and vocational schools in viticulture.
Typical training path
Weinhändler/in
Prerequisites
- Sense of taste and smell
- Organisational skills
- Strong sociability and communication skills
- Good business knowledge
- Good foreign language skills
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Sense of taste and smell
- Organisational skills
- Communication skills
- Business know-how
- Language skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in the cellar and check barrel temperatures. In the afternoon, you taste new batches with a trained palate. You also discuss delivery contracts with winemakers.
- You buy wines and wine-based products specifically for the market.
- You import the batches and organize the logistics of the entire transport.
- You handle the wines correctly to ensure optimal ripening.
- You store the bottles in the cellar under strictly controlled climate conditions.
- You taste the samples with a trained and refined sense of taste.
- You negotiate contract terms and fair prices with producers.
- You carry out necessary administrative tasks carefully and with proper documentation.
- You advise professionals and the hospitality industry on the latest wine trends.
Working conditions
You work in wine wholesalers, import companies, or cellar operations. You often move between storage halls, tasting rooms, and offices for administrative work.
Where to learn
- StrickhofEschikon 21, 8315 Lindau
- Changins Ecole du vin Route deDuillier 52, 1260 Nyon
- Schweizer Weinhandelskontrolle SWKStettbackstrasse 6, 8600 Dübendorf
Strengths
- Sense of taste and smell
- Organisational skills
- Communication skills
- Business know-how
- Language skills
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Seasonal fluctuations
- Administrative effort
- High responsibility
06 · Similar
