Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 62'400 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 62'400 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 12'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 112'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsNature & Environment
Zoologischer Präparator/Zoologische Präparatorin
You create lifelike animal specimens for museums and teaching
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You clean, preserve and assemble animal pelts and skeletons into lifelike specimens for exhibitions and collections.
In your specialised workshop, lifelike specimens are made from animal remains. You clean pelts, preserve bones and build body shapes according to technical drawings. Your precise craft preserves nature for museums, private collections and teaching. Every step requires patience, manual skill and a deep understanding of anatomy and preservation techniques.
FieldNature & Environment
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryCultural Heritage
Swissdoc 0.140.35.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
No verified Swiss salary data is available for this profession yet.
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Zoologischer Präparator/Zoologische Präparatorin.
Salary trend
-44% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2017-2019 | CHF 112'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 62'400 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Präparator / Präparatorin
Official education path
Training is provided through standard apprenticeship contracts in specialised companies and is supported by the professional association.
Typical training path
Präparator / Präparatorin
Prerequisites
- Legal age
Where this can lead
A direct entry is only possible after completing initial training and with practical experience in related craft professions.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Precise craftsmanship
- Patience and endurance
- Understanding of anatomy
- Careful documentation
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at your workbench and gently clean an animal pelt. Then you check the bone structure and start building the natural shape.
- You carefully clean and preserve animal pelts and skeletons.
- You build body shapes according to technical drawings and photos.
- You model the natural posture and anatomy of the animals.
- You maintain and restore existing specimens with professional and long-lasting care.
- You work closely with museums and collections.
- You document every single step of the preparation process without gaps.
Working conditions
You work in specialised preparation workshops, museums or private studios. The work usually takes place in closed rooms with special workstations.
Where to learn
- VNPS Verband Naturwissenschaftlicher Präparation Schweiz Alwin Probst Naturhistorisches Museum Basel4051 Basel
Strengths
- Precise craftsmanship
- Patience and endurance
- Understanding of anatomy
- Careful documentation
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Chemical exposure
- Quiet working atmosphere
- Complex planning
06 · Similar
