Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 56'360 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 58'800 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 61'430 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 67'758 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 73'450 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 81'250 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Forstpraktiker/in EBA
You maintain forests and fell trees under supervision outdoors.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You work in the forest all year round. You care for trees, fell timber, and prepare ground for new saplings.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryForestry
Swissdoc 0.120.17.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Praticien d'entreprise. Based on 867 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+6% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 60'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 56'188 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 58'861 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 63'745 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Vaud | CHF 77'000 | 17 |
| Lucerne | CHF 66'750 | 62 |
| Basel-Land | CHF 65'380 | 22 |
| Solothurn | CHF 65'000 | 55 |
| Basel-Stadt | CHF 63'240 | 27 |
| Thurgau | CHF 61'000 | 17 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 92'073 | 15 |
| Medical Technology | CHF 87'550 | 6 |
| Utilities | CHF 73'450 | 6 |
| Machine / System construction | CHF 71'975 | 8 |
| Retail trade / Wholesaling | CHF 67'990 | 9 |
| Industry various | CHF 66'500 | 43 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Forstpraktiker/in EBA
- ⏱ 2 Jahre
Official education path
You complete a 2-year apprenticeship with block courses at the vocational school and practical training in a forestry operation.
Typical training path
Forstpraktiker/in EBA
Curriculum
- Ausführen von Holzereiarbeiten in motormanuellen Verfahren
- Einsetzen und Unterhalten von Arbeitsmitteln
- Einhalten der Vorgaben zum Schutz der Gesundheit und Umwelt sowie zur Arbeitssicherheit
- Ausführen von Jungwaldpflege- und Pflanzarbeiten
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- Enjoyment of outdoor work
- Good observation of nature
- Awareness of dangerous work (accident risk)
- Good health for working outdoors in wind and weather
- Physical strength
- Understanding of practical work
- Technical understanding for working with tools and machines
- Teamwork skills
- 1Ausführen von Holzereiarbeiten in motormanuellen Verfahren
- 2Einsetzen und Unterhalten von Arbeitsmitteln
- 3Einhalten der Vorgaben zum Schutz der Gesundheit und Umwelt sowie zur Arbeitssicherheit
- 4Ausführen von Jungwaldpflege- und Pflanzarbeiten
Where this can lead
A lateral entry via a shortened apprenticeship as a Forstwart/in EFZ is possible.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Physical stamina
- Technical understanding
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in damp undergrowth. You saw a kerf into a tree under guidance to mark its fall direction. Then you move branches aside while the team monitors safety zones.
- You secure the logging site with signs and mark the fall direction of the trees.
- Under guidance, you fell sick or bent trees with a chainsaw.
- You cut off branches and break down trunks into usable timber.
- Together with the team, you clear the work site and transport the timber.
- You care for the forest, identify important tree species, and protect nature.
- You prepare ground, plant saplings, and care for their growth.
- You maintain your machines, sharpen chainsaws, and keep all tools in good condition.
Working conditions
You work in the forest all year round in all weather. Your workplaces are municipal, cantonal, or private forestry operations, as well as landscaping companies.
Where to learn
- OdA Wald Schweiz Hardernstr. 20Postfach 339, 3250 Lyss
Strengths
- Physical stamina
- Technical understanding
- Safety awareness
- Teamwork
Trade-offs
- Weather dependency
- Physical strain
- Risk from machines
- Under supervision
06 · Similar
