Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 78'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 80'000 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 91'500 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 106'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 110'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 78'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Hydrologe/Hydrologin
You study water cycles and protect our water bodies
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Hydrologe/Hydrologin examine water bodies, plan protection concepts and advise authorities.
Water is our most important resource. Hydrologe/Hydrologin study its cycles, analyse quality and protect groundwater. You develop flood protection concepts and advise authorities on water management. Your expertise preserves natural habitats, secures drinking water supplies and supports sustainable construction projects. You work closely with engineers and scientists to protect our environment for the long term.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryNature & Environment
Swissdoc 0.160.43.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Geologist. Based on 159 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
-16% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 99'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 78'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 86'200 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 83'200 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Vaud | CHF 86'000 | 14 |
| Geneva | CHF 78'120 | 21 |
| Zurich | CHF 78'000 | 25 |
| Berne | CHF 76'500 | 16 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 104'500 | 10 |
| Service sector in general | CHF 87'000 | 17 |
| Utilities | CHF 87'000 | 27 |
| Industry various | CHF 84'000 | 7 |
| Consulting various | CHF 79'500 | 38 |
| Building trade / Real estate | CHF 78'710 | 40 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Master Universitäre Hochschule
Official education path
Studying hydrology in Switzerland is not a standalone degree. It is part of programmes like geography, earth sciences or civil engineering.
Typical training path
Master Universitäre Hochschule
Prerequisites
- Engineering or natural science oriented degree
Requirements
- Strong interest and proficiency in mathematics and natural sciences
- Ecological interests
Where this can lead
Lateral entry is possible if you bring a related degree in environmental or engineering sciences.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Scientific interest
- Ecological awareness
- Analytical thinking
- Communication skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the measuring point on the shore. You take samples and analyse the data on your computer. This way you gain important insights for water protection.
- You examine the physical and chemical properties of groundwater and surface water.
- You analyse water cycles and trace the origin of water bodies.
- You create cause and risk analyses for potential water pollution.
- You develop ecological concepts for sustainable water management.
- You design water management facilities for drinking water extraction.
- You advise authorities on designating water protection areas.
- You prepare reports for public institutions and engineering firms.
- You contribute to the planning of dams and tunnel construction.
Working conditions
You work in research laboratories, at water bodies in the field or in the offices of engineering firms and authorities.
Strengths
- Scientific interest
- Ecological awareness
- Analytical thinking
- Communication skills
Trade-offs
- Academic hurdle
- Fieldwork in all weathers
- High responsibility
- Scientific pressure
06 · Similar
