Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 72'500 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 172'500 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 45'500 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 72'000 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 87'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 80'000 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsCulture & Media
Ethnologe/-login UNI
Explore cultures and understand global connections
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
You analyze cultural phenomena, document customs, and work in museums, media, or international organizations
Ethnologists dive deep into the lives of different societies. You examine customs, traditions, and social structures on the ground. Your careful observations and interviews make cultural diversity tangible. The knowledge you gain flows into museums, media, or international cooperation. You help build better understanding between people.
FieldCulture & Media
Education pathHigher Education Profession
IndustryEducation & Teaching
Swissdoc 0.731.70.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Exact salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Ethnologist. Based on 12 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
-50% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 150'000 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 220'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 80'000 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 75'312 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration / Associations | CHF 78'624 | 5 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Bachelor/Master of Arts in Ethnologie oder in Social Anthropology
- ⏱ Bachelorstudium: 3 Jahre
Official education path
The study program usually lasts three years and leads to a bachelor's degree at a university or university of applied sciences.
Typical training path
Bachelor/Master of Arts in Ethnologie oder in Social Anthropology
Prerequisites
- eidg. or eidg. anerkannte Maturität
- University degree (FH, Uni, ETH)
- Berufsmaturität and supplementary exam of Switzerland
Requirements
- Enjoyment of research work
- Analytical and conceptual skills
- Good observational skills
- Ethical conduct
- Foreign language skills
- Oral and written communication skills
- Social competence
- Empathy
Where this can lead
Lateral entry is possible if you already hold a related university degree or have practical experience in the cultural or educational sector.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Analytical thinking
- Linguistic talent
- Sharp observation
- Deep empathy
- High willingness to travel
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You sit at your desk and analyze interviews and photos. You compare cultural perspectives and write clear reports.
- You research customs and traditions across different societies.
- You talk to people on the ground and document their daily lives.
- You analyze cultural phenomena using scientific methods and theoretical knowledge.
- You prepare your research findings for museums or cultural institutions.
- You write reports for media companies or international organizations.
- You support projects in migration and intercultural education.
- You exchange ideas with colleagues about new research findings.
Working conditions
You work in museums, cultural organizations, media companies, or international institutions. You occasionally travel to remote regions for field research.
Where to learn
- Universität BernHochschulstrasse 6, 3012 Bern
- Universität ZürichRämistrasse 71, 8006 Zürich
- Universität BaselPetersplatz 1, 4001 Basel
- Universität Freiburg Avenue del'Europe 20, 1700 Freiburg
- Universität Luzern Frohburgstrasse 3Postfach 4466, 6002 Luzern
- Université deGenève 24, 1211 Genf
- Université de Lausanne1015 Lausanne
- Université de Neuchâtel Av. du1er-Mars 26, 2000 Neuenburg
Strengths
- Analytical thinking
- Linguistic talent
- Sharp observation
- Deep empathy
- High willingness to travel
Trade-offs
- Unclear job prospects
- Demanding travel
- Heavy theoretical load
- High responsibility
06 · Similar
