Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 84'000 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 82'061 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 82'261 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 146'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 118'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsChemistry & Physics
Biochemiker/in UNI/ETH
You research molecular processes and develop new solutions for medicine and agriculture.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Biochemists examine cell processes and develop innovative products for medicine, technology, and agriculture.
In the lab or at university, you analyse complex biological and chemical processes. You examine cells, genes, and enzymes to develop new medicines or resistant plants. Your work links basic research with practical use in industry, environmental protection, and higher education. You use modern analysis methods to answer questions about human health or food production.
FieldChemistry & Physics
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryChemistry, Pharma & Biotech
Swissdoc 0.540.5.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Biochemist. Based on 41 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
-17% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 92'500 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 91'500 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 85'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 76'829 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Chemicals / Pharmaceuticals | CHF 89'122 | 29 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Bachelor of Science (UH/ETH) in Biochemistry (plus Angabe der unispezifischen oder selbst gewählten Fachrichtung)
- ⏱ Bachelorstudium: 3 Jahre
Official education path
The degree is completed at a university or ETH and ends with a Bachelor of Science.
Typical training path
Bachelor of Science (UH/ETH) in Biochemistry (plus Angabe der unispezifischen oder selbst gewählten Fachrichtung)
Prerequisites
- eidg. or eidg. anerkannte Maturität
- Hochschulabschluss (FH, Uni, ETH)
- Berufsmaturität and Ergänzungsprüfung der Schweiz
Where this can lead
A career change is possible after a related natural sciences degree or through specialised master's and further education programmes.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Analytical thinking
- Precision in the lab
- Research interest
- Teamwork
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the analysis device and record the reaction data of a bacterial culture. At the same time, you prepare samples for the next round of tests.
- You examine biological and physico-chemical processes in human, animal, or plant cells.
- You analyse the structure of genes, molecules, and nucleic acids in detail.
- You research how substances like medicines affect the human body.
- You develop new techniques and methods for medicine and agriculture.
- You culture bacteria and deliberately change their genetic material in the lab.
- You check how enzymes control the building up and breaking down of cells.
Working conditions
You work in research labs, at universities, in the biotechnology industry, or in public health. Your workplace is usually a modern lab or a university institute.
Where to learn
- Universität BernHochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern
- Universität Freiburg Avenue del'Europe 20, 1700 Freiburg
- Universität ZürichRämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich
- ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte WissenschaftenLagerstrasse 41, 8021 Zürich
- ETH ZürichRämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich
Strengths
- Analytical thinking
- Precision in the lab
- Research interest
- Teamwork
Trade-offs
- High responsibility
- Theoretical depth
- Competitive pressure
- Daily lab routine
06 · Similar
