Education & Social Work

Katechet/in

You accompany children and young people on their Christian journey of faith.

Katechet/in

01 · Overview

What this profession is about

Katechet/in teach religion, plan church events, and support parish work.

The core of your role as Katechet/in is teaching Christian values and faith to children and young people. You design religious classes, prepare church services, and plan parish events. Alongside youth work, you engage in adult education and support social projects. Your work combines teaching skills with pastoral care and strengthens community bonds.

FieldEducation & Social Work
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryPrimary, Secondary & Vocational Teaching
Swissdoc 0.732.11.0

02 · Salary

What you can earn

MedianCHF 82'000
CHF 61'392CHF 115'000
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Religious Instructor. Based on 30 observations, updated 7 months ago.

Salary by experience

80k100k120kmedian 82k80k73k78k75k97k119k0-2 yrs3-5 yrs6-8 yrs9-11 yrs12-21 yrs21+ yrs
View as table
ExperienceSalary (CHF)
0-2 yrsCHF 80'000
3-5 yrsCHF 73'027
6-8 yrsCHF 78'000
9-11 yrsCHF 75'000
12-21 yrsCHF 96'996
21+ yrsCHF 119'380

Salary trend

-3% over decade
80k90k100k100k84k75k97k2014-20162017-20192020-20222023-2025
View as table
PeriodSalary (CHF)
2014-2016CHF 100'000
2017-2019CHF 84'000
2020-2022CHF 75'300
2023-2025CHF 97'410

Top paying industries

  • Public administration / AssociationsCHF 101'8335 obs.
  • EducationCHF 84'00017 obs.
View as table
IndustrySalaryObs.
Public administration / AssociationsCHF 101'8335
EducationCHF 84'00017

03 · Pathway

How to enter and grow

Swiss training pathway available in the full profile

  • 🎓 Fachausweis / Diplom
  • ca. 2.5 bis 5 Jahre

Official education path

Training is provided by church education providers and leads to a specialist certificate or diploma.

Typical training path

Fachausweis / Diplom

Prerequisites

  • Contact education providers for specific requirements

Requirements

  • Interest in the life world of children and young people
  • Christian-ecumenical basic attitude
  • Empathy
  • Reliability
  • Strong sociability and communication skills
  • Resourcefulness and creativity
  • Independent way of working
  • Sense of responsibility

Where this can lead

Career changers can often enter through related pedagogical or theological training.

04 · Skills & fit

What it takes

Required skills

  • Teaching skills
  • Social awareness
  • Organizational skills
  • Teamwork

Personality fit

  • Swiss career path
  • Career transition
  • Professional growth

05 · Daily reality

What the work feels like

Typical day

You stand before a group of young people. Together you discuss the topics for the upcoming church service. You share personal questions about faith and plan the next steps.

  • You teach children and young people Christian faith topics in an age-appropriate way.
  • You plan and lead church services and youth camps.
  • You guide young people in finding their place in parish life.
  • You organize programs for parents and adults.
  • You work closely with priests and volunteers.
  • You develop projects for church youth work.
  • You support social services and public relations.

Working conditions

You work mainly in parishes and church institutions. Depending on your tasks, you move between classrooms, parish halls, and event venues.

Where to learn

  • Deutschschweizerische Kirchenkonferenz KIKO Geschäftsstelle RPF-EKS Religionspädagogisches Fachgremium evangelischer Kirchen der Schweiz9000 St. Gallen
  • ForModula c/o Schweizerisches Pastoralsoziologisches Institut (SPI)Gallusstrasse 24, 9000 St. Gallen

Strengths

  • Teaching skills
  • Social awareness
  • Organizational skills
  • Teamwork

Trade-offs

  • Emotional strain
  • Flexible working hours
  • Budget dependency
  • Diverse expectations

06 · Similar

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