Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 57'070 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 58'350 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 57'300 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 50'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 76'700 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsDesign & Crafts
Orgelbauer/in EFZ
You build and tune organs with great craftsmanship
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Organ builders craft, repair, and tune historic musical instruments in workshops and churches.
As an organ builder, you blend traditional craftsmanship with technical know-how. You design blueprints. You craft precise wooden parts and assemble complex wind chests. You work in quiet studios or on scaffolding in historic churches. You tune each instrument individually. You repair old mechanisms. This ensures lasting, clear sound in concert halls and places of worship.
FieldDesign & Crafts
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryArt & Crafts
Swissdoc 0.821.16.0
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 Orgelbauer/in EFZ.
Salary trend
+50% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 40'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 94'800 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 60'000 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial operation / Skilled crafts | CHF 60'000 | 5 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Orgelbauer/in EFZ
- ⏱ 4 Jahre
Official education path
Training takes place through a four-year apprenticeship in an instrument-making studio with integrated vocational school blocks.
Typical training path
Orgelbauer/in EFZ
Curriculum
- Abwickeln von Aufträgen
- Herstellen und Reparieren von Musikinstrumenten
- Warten und Regulieren von Musikinstrumenten
- Spielfertigmachen von Musikinstrumenten
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- handwerkliches Geschick
- räumliches Vorstellungsvermögen
- gutes Augenmass
- zeichnerische Begabung
- Musikalität, Musikgehör
- Geduld und Ausdauer
- 1Abwickeln von Aufträgen
- 2Herstellen und Reparieren von Musikinstrumenten
- 3Warten und Regulieren von Musikinstrumenten
- 4Spielfertigmachen von Musikinstrumenten
Where this can lead
A career change is usually only possible with proven craft training or related professional experience.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Craftsmanship
- Musical ear
- Spatial thinking
- Patience and endurance
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand in the workshop. You carefully file a wooden pipe while checking the wind chest pressure. The next day, you mount the finished modules on scaffolding in a church. You tune the notes together with musicians.
- You draw detailed blueprints and plan the entire production process for new instruments.
- You craft precise wooden parts, wind chests, and stop components using traditional methods.
- You install electronic controls and connect them to the classic mechanics.
- You transport organ parts to the installation site. You assemble the instrument on location.
- You tune the pipes individually to achieve the perfect sound.
- You clean surfaces, check air ducts, and repair leaks on old instruments.
Working conditions
You work in quiet instrument-making studios or directly on site with clients. You often mount and tune instruments on scaffolding in historic churches or concert halls.
Where to learn
- Interessengemeinschaft der Musikinstrumentenbauer IGMIB c/o Elin Office AGNordring 10a, 3013 Bern
Strengths
- Craftsmanship
- Musical ear
- Spatial thinking
- Patience and endurance
Trade-offs
- Physical strain
- Tight workspaces
- Seasonal workload
- High precision requirements
06 · Similar
