Salary by experience
View as table
| Experience | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 yrs | CHF 77'750 |
| 3-5 yrs | CHF 77'500 |
| 6-8 yrs | CHF 72'500 |
| 9-11 yrs | CHF 71'250 |
| 12-21 yrs | CHF 70'000 |
| 21+ yrs | CHF 77'700 |
Top HR
Swiss professionsTransport, Logistics & Safety
Kapitän/in der Binnenschifffahrt EFZ
You navigate inland vessels and secure cargo on European waterways.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
As Kapitän/in der Binnenschifffahrt EFZ, you steer ships on inland waters. You coordinate the cargo and take charge of safety on board.
Inland shipping connects countries and cultures via waterways. As Kapitän/in der Binnenschifffahrt EFZ, you take command of modern cargo or passenger ships. You plan routes. You monitor the technology and lead your crew. Your work requires technical know-how, clear communication, and a strong sense of responsibility. On the water, you are responsible for everything. You closely link ship operations with the shipping company on land.
FieldTransport, Logistics & Safety
Education pathVocational Training (Apprenticeship)
IndustryWater Transport
Swissdoc 0.635.9.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
✓ Strong salary match
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Capitaine de marine. Based on 44 observations, updated 7 months ago.
Salary trend
+25% over decadeView as table
| Period | Salary (CHF) |
|---|---|
| 2014-2016 | CHF 55'250 |
| 2017-2019 | CHF 67'000 |
| 2020-2022 | CHF 74'100 |
| 2023-2025 | CHF 68'980 |
Top paying industries
View as table
| Industry | Salary | Obs. |
|---|---|---|
| Transport / Logistics | CHF 86'000 | 9 |
| Tourism / Travel / Recreation | CHF 72'650 | 16 |
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
- 🎓 Kapitän/in der Binnenschifffahrt EFZ
- ⏱ 3,5 Jahre
Official education path
The training lasts 3.5 years. It takes place on a Rhine ship and in block courses.
Typical training path
Kapitän/in der Binnenschifffahrt EFZ
Curriculum
- Steuern von Fahrzeugen
- Anwenden der Fahrzeugausrüstung
- Prüfen und Instandhalten von Anlagen, Hydrauliksystemen sowie von Schiffsmotoren
- Mitwirken in der Sozialgemeinschaft an Bord
- Durchführen
- Qualitätssichernder Massnahmen
- Handeln in Notfallsituationen
- Personal
- Führen Massnahmen bei Schäden und Störungen
- Schutz und Sicherheit der Personen
- Reiseplanung
Prerequisites
- obligatorische Schule abgeschlossen
Requirements
- Ability to lead a team
- Good health and weather resilience
- Willingness to work irregular hours
- High sense of responsibility
- Technical understanding and manual dexterity
- Sense of direction
- Good eyesight, no color vision defects
- No hypersensitivity to noise and vibrations
- 1Steuern von Fahrzeugen
- 2Anwenden der Fahrzeugausrüstung
- 3Prüfen und Instandhalten von Anlagen, Hydrauliksystemen sowie von Schiffsmotoren
- 4Mitwirken in der Sozialgemeinschaft an Bord
- 5Durchführen
- 6Qualitätssichernder Massnahmen
- 7Handeln in Notfallsituationen
- 8Personal
- 9Führen Massnahmen bei Schäden und Störungen
- 10Schutz und Sicherheit der Personen
- 11Reiseplanung
Where this can lead
A lateral entry is usually only possible with relevant prior experience or a switch from Nautische/r Fachmann/-frau.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Technical understanding
- Leadership skills
- Weather resilience
- Sense of responsibility
- Teamwork skills
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the bridge telegraph. You steer the ship precisely through narrow locks. At the same time, you coordinate docking maneuvers via radio. You also check the cargo stability.
- You steer the ship safely through narrow locks and canals.
- You calculate stability and plan loading and unloading.
- You monitor engines, pumps, and electronic navigation systems during the voyage.
- You instruct the crew to fix technical faults immediately.
- You coordinate communication with port control and other ships.
- You lead your crew and ensure strict safety regulations are followed on board.
- You create administrative plans for the next route and the cargo.
Working conditions
You work on inland vessels on European waterways. You often live on board for several weeks. Your workplace shifts between the bridge, the engine room, and the ports.
Where to learn
- Schweizerische Vereinigung für Schifffahrt und HafenwirtschaftSüdquaistrasse 14, 4019 Basel
- Schweizerische Rheinhäfen Port of SwitzerlandHochbergerstrasse 160, 4019 Basel
Strengths
- Technical understanding
- Leadership skills
- Weather resilience
- Sense of responsibility
- Teamwork skills
Trade-offs
- Shift work
- Isolation
- Physical strain
- Weather dependency
06 · Similar
