Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 52'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 52'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 52'000 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 60'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 61'200 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 63'050 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsWood & Interior Construction
Holzhandwerker/in EFZ
You shape wood into artistic everyday objects and decorative pieces.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Holzhandwerker/in EFZ craft handmade wooden objects, advise clients, and work in specialised workshops.
As a Holzhandwerker/in EFZ, you combine traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. You advise clients, plan orders, and work with wood in turning or cooperage. Using precise machines and great attention to detail, you create unique pieces. Your daily work is varied and requires manual skill plus a sharp eye for detail. You work in small workshops and always wear protective clothing.
FieldWood & Interior Construction
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryWood Industry, Carpentry & Joinery
Swissdoc 0.510.24.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Handwerkerin. Based on 539 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+11% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 52'650 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 54'600 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 57'366 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 58'650 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | CHF 67'800 | 14 |
| Berne | CHF 61'712 | 32 |
| Geneva | CHF 60'535 | 63 |
| Jura | CHF 60'000 | 25 |
| Neuchâtel | CHF 59'000 | 29 |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 58'500 | 13 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 80'075 | 10 |
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 66'450 | 18 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 60'725 | 21 |
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 60'269 | 8 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 60'125 | 16 |
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 60'000 | 104 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Holzhandwerker/in EFZ
- ⏱ 4 Jahre
Official education path
Training takes place through a 4-year apprenticeship with practical placements in specialised workshops.
Typical training path
Holzhandwerker/in EFZ
Curriculum
- Auftrag / Administration Fertigung
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- handwerkliches Geschick
- ausgeprägtes Formengefühl
- gutes räumliches Vorstellungsvermögen
- gutes Augenmass
- zeichnerische Fähigkeiten
- exakte Arbeitsweise
- Körperkraft
- keine Empfindlichkeit gegen Staub und Maschinenlärm
- 1Auftrag / Administration Fertigung
Where this can lead
Career changers can enter after completing initial training or through related work experience. Further training leads to advanced professional exams or degree programmes at universities of applied sciences.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Manual skill
- Sense of form
- Physical endurance
- Resilience
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in your workshop, check the wood grain, and secure the piece in the lathe. While the machine runs, you shape hollow decorations with skilled hands and constantly check the dimensions.
- You review client requests and create concrete proposals based on photos.
- You draw freehand sketches and calculate the exact material needed.
- You select the right wood and spot potential flaws.
- You operate machines while strictly following safety rules.
- You create hollow or relief decorations and join parts together.
- You carefully sand, fill, and paint the surfaces.
- You transport the finished items or install them on site.
Working conditions
You mainly work in small workshops and stand all day. You often wear ear protection, a mask, and safety goggles.
Where to learn
- Interessengemeinschaft Kunsthandwerk Holz (IGKH)3855 Brienz BE
- Schule für HolzbildhauereiSchleegasse 1, 3855 Brienz BE
Strengths
- Manual skill
- Sense of form
- Physical endurance
- Resilience
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Noise exposure
- Dust generation
- Client demands
06 · Similar
