Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 67'546 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 69'716 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 74'999 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 78'736 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 84'158 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 86'396 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsHealthcare
Suchtberater/-in
You advise people on addiction issues and support them in living an independent life.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Suchtberater/-in guide individuals, couples, and families through addiction challenges and promote self-reliance.
Addiction issues affect many people. As Suchtberater/-in, you take these topics seriously and create a safe space for conversation. You accompany clients on their path to greater clarity and self-determination. You inform them about risks, strengthen their resources, and connect with specialist services. Your work helps affected individuals regain trust in their daily lives.
FieldHealthcare
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryConsulting
Swissdoc 0.731.76.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
⚠ Estimated — based on a related role
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Adjointe au Responsable Ressources Humaines. Based on 6,384 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+3% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 71'500 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 70'509 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 71'500 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 73'880 |
Top earning cantons
View as table
| Canton | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Basel-Land | CHF 76'700 | 145 |
| Glarus | CHF 74'958 | 22 |
| Geneva | CHF 74'861 | 516 |
| Schwyz | CHF 74'833 | 56 |
| Zurich | CHF 74'677 | 1,100 |
| Zug | CHF 74'000 | 115 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Banking / Financial institutions | CHF 82'976 | 197 |
| Insurance | CHF 80'000 | 91 |
| Media / Printing / Publishing | CHF 79'650 | 52 |
| Machine / System construction | CHF 76'850 | 192 |
| Utilities | CHF 76'837 | 58 |
| Information technology / Telecom | CHF 75'600 | 198 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Suchtberater/-in
Official education path
Training takes place through specialized degree programs or certificate courses in the health and social sectors.
Typical training path
Suchtberater/-in
Prerequisites
- Bachelor Fachhochschule FH
- Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Fachhochschule
- Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) Fachhochschule
Requirements
- Openness regarding substance use and dependency
- Openness towards other people with their different values and attitudes
- Appreciative attitude and conviction that clients are experts in their respective situations
Where this can lead
A career change is often possible if you have a completed degree or initial training in the health or social sector.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Active listening
- Appreciative attitude
- Systemic thinking
- Setting boundaries
- Networking
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit with a client in a quiet counseling room and listen actively while they share their concerns about alcohol or other substance use. Together, you work out initial steps for more mindful consumption and clarify open questions about support services.
- You hold confidential one-on-one conversations with people struggling with addiction.
- You analyze the causes of consumption behavior together with couples and families.
- You inform about the effects of addictive substances and their health consequences.
- You refer clients to specialized services or therapists.
- You support family members in dealing with the affected person in daily life.
- You develop concrete goals for an addiction-free life together with the clients.
- You document the counseling process and continuously adjust the measures.
Working conditions
You work in outpatient counseling centers, hospitals, social institutions, or in private practice. You are often active in schools, companies, or local addiction support services as well.
Where to learn
- Fachverband SuchtWeberstrasse 10, 8004 Zürich
Strengths
- Active listening
- Appreciative attitude
- Systemic thinking
- Setting boundaries
- Networking
Trade-offs
- Emotional strain
- Complex cases
- Administrative effort
- Boundary crossings
06 · Similar
