Jobs & Salaries in Switzerland for Indian Students
It is obvious that for Indian students that they look for better employment opportunities after completing their higher studies, be it self-employment or paid employment.
There is a lot more to learn about the advantages that come with pursuing employment in foreign countries like Switzerland, such as high pay and numerous perks.
Since there is a vast difference between academic and professional life, students need to know how to apply their lessons to the real world for better growth and development.
Here, we have discussed every aspect of pursuing jobs in Switzerland, such as availability of jobs, popular industries, average salary, steps to find jobs in Switzerland and more.
- Post-Study Jobs in Switzerland for Indian Students
- Jobs in Switzerland for Indian Students: Top Industries
- Highest Paying Jobs in Switzerland
- Minimum Wages and Average Salary in Switzerland
- Distribution of Average Salary by Experience
- Distribution of Average Salary by Education Level
- How to Find Jobs in Switzerland?
- Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Students
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Post-Study Jobs in Switzerland for Indian Students
After the conclusion of study programs, international students look for employment opportunities in Switzerland. Since Swiss universities provide quality education and research programs at very affordable fees, it attracts talented and extraordinary people from around the world to pursue studies in Switzerland. After graduation, around 10-20% of graduates can secure jobs in Switzerland because of the tough competition, and the rest take routes to other destinations.
However, there are a lot of opportunities in the country for Indian students. With the presence of top global recruiters like HSBC, Citi Group, CERN, Abbott, Microsoft, etc., students get abundant opportunities to work in and around the country, provided that they have the required skills and talent for the job profile.
In this blog, we have discussed the job opportunities in Switzerland for international students, including details on high-paying jobs, popular jobs, minimum wages, tips on securing jobs after graduation and a lot more.
Jobs in Switzerland for Indian Students: Top Industries
Most of the international graduates, after finishing their higher education, get engaged in the service sector, mainly banking and finance. HSBC, Goldsman Sache, Citi Group, Deutsche Bank, etc., are some of the top recruiters in this sector.
Switzerland is home to the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), which provides abundant job scopes to talented international students in the fields of Science, Engineering and Technology.
Apart from them, the hospitality sector is also booming in the country due to the presence of rich Alpes and a variety of world-famous heritage sites like Abbey of Saint Gall, Aletsch Glacier, Bern, etc., which attract a significant number of tourists every year.
Healthcare, manufacturing, industrial, and artificial intelligence are some of the growing sectors that have the potential to generate sufficient employment in the coming years.
| Top Industries | Recruiters | Average Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Banking & Finance | HSBC Deutsche Bank Citi Goldsman Sachs | 80,000-130,000 CHF (INR 74 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Computer Science | Meta IBM Swisscom Novartis | 76,000-146,000 CHF (INR 70 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Engineering & Technology | Capgemini EPAM System UBS CERN | 90,000-125,000 CHF (INR 84 Lakh-1.16 Crore) |
| Healthcare Sciences | Takeda Pharmaceuticals Novo Nordisk Biogen Acino | 40,000-200,000 CHF (INR 37 Lakh-1.87 Crore) |
| Hotel & Hospitality | McDonald’s Suisse SWISS Intercontinental Davos Sorell Hotels | 60,000-150,000 CHF (INR 56 Lakh-1.40 Crore) |
Highest Paying Jobs in Switzerland
The Swiss market has witnessed a tremendous shift in its economy. During COVID-19, Swiss professionals switched over to hybrid and work-from-home models, which led them to balance their lifestyle with work preferences, which ultimately increased their productivity.
As of now, Switzerland is among those countries that provide the highest salaries to their working professionals, and in the current year, there has been a hike of around 3% in their wages.
Apart from global recruiters like Microsoft, Google, Abbott, Sun Pharma, Citi Group, etc, the start-up culture has boosted the numerous job opportunities in Switzerland, which has cut down the increased competitive nature of the market to some extent.
With the advent of AI, almost every sector in the country has seen significant improvement in productivity, salary, work ethics, etc.
| Highest Paying Occupation | Highest Paying Job posts | Average Salary (Per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales & Marketing | Sales Executive Digital Marketing Expert Sales Manager | 81,000-90,000 CHF (INR 75-84 Lakh) |
| Banking & Finance | Financial Analyst Financial Manager Marketing Executive | 86,000-95,000 CHF (INR 80-89 Lakh) |
| IT Software | Software Developer IT Expert Cyber Analyst | 80,000-120,000 CHF (INR 75 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Engineering & Technology | Mechanical Engineer Industrial Engineer Civil Engineer | 75,000-125,000 CHF (INR 70 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Hospitality & Tourism | Hotel Manager Chef Tourist Guide | 90,000-110,000 CHF (INR 77 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| Healthcare & Medicine | Neurosurgeon Nurse Pharmacist | 60,000-90,000 CHF (INR 56 Lakh-84 Lakh) |
| Human Resource Management | HR Vice-President HR Generalist | 90,000-110,000 CHF (INR 84-1 Crore) |
| STEM | Research Scientist Teacher Subject Matter Expert | 80,000-110,000 CHF (INR 75-1 Crore) |
Also read – Charpak Scholarship for Indian Students
Minimum Wages and Average Salary in Switzerland
Since 2014, there is no common standard for national minimum wages due to political and social reasons. Minimum wages can differ as per various factors like canton, type of sector, job type, employer etc.
However, in recent years, several cantons (similar to Indian states) have introduced their own minimum wage standards as follows:
| Canton Name | Average Minimum Wages (Per Hour) |
|---|---|
| Neuchatel | 21 CHF (INR 1,900) |
| Jura | 20 CHF (INR 1,800) |
| Ticino | 25 CHF (INR 2,300) |
| Basel-Stadt | 24 CHF (INR 2,200) |
| Geneva | 21 CHF (INR 1,900) |
Minimum wages can differ as per various factors like canton, type of sector, job type, employer etc.
Also read – Cost of Living in France
Distribution of Average Salary by Experience
The average salary in Switzerland varies according to age and work experience. International freshers generally get paid around 3,500-7,500 CHF or INR 3-7.5 Lakh per month. Whereas professionals having work experience of 5-10 years might get a salary of around 8,500-10,000 (INR 8-10 Lakh) per month. Swiss companies consider the hike in pay to be dependent on work experience, performance, skills, etc. Standardised income generally depends on the employer, education and skills of the employee, canton etc.
| Years of Experience | Income (Per month) |
|---|---|
| 0-2 | 3,500-4,200 CHF (INR 3-4 Lakh) |
| 2-5 | 5,500-7,500 CHF (INR 5-7.5 Lakh) |
| 5-10 | 8,500-10,000 CHF (INR 8-10 Lakh) |
| 10+ | >10,000 (>INR 10 Lakh) |
Distribution of Average Salary by Education Level
The distribution of average salary in Switzerland varies according to education level also.
Bachelor’s degree holders in the Switzerlands earn 35,000-75,000 CHF (INR 32 Lakh-70 Lakh) annually, and Master’s degree holders in the Switzerlands earn 60,000-130,000 EUR (INR 56 Lakh-1 Crore) annually.
PhD graduates in the Switzerlands earn 48,000-155,000 CHF (INR 44-1 Crore) annually.
| Education Level | Income (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s | 35,000-75,000 CHF (INR 32 Lakh-70 Lakh) |
| Master’s | 60,000-130,000 EUR (INR 56 Lakh-1 Crore) |
| PhD | 48,000-155,000 CHF (INR 44-1 Crore) |
How to Find Jobs in Switzerland?
Below, we have mentioned some important tips related to finding jobs in Switzerland, which will help Indian students secure employment easily after the completion of their studies in Switzerland.
- While studying in Switzerland, international students must engage in internship programs offered by industries and start-ups. This will help them network with other experienced professionals and develop the required skills for full-time jobs.
- International students must learn at least one or two official languages of Switzerland. Although proficiency in those languages is not strictly required to get jobs, it will enhance their capabilities and make their application outstanding among all other job pursuers.
- International students must use job portals to find relevant jobs in the country. It will help them understand the demands and requirements of employers.
- Students must start applying for jobs as soon as possible after completing their studies so that they get enough time to utilise their 6 months post-study extension period properly.
- They can also approach their seniors and alums of the university for help and guidance regarding finding jobs in relevant sectors. It will not only strengthen their connections but also improve their chances of getting more employment opportunities.
- International students must try to stay away from fake recruiters, employers, and job portals that ask them to invest money to get job offers.
Post-Study Work Visa for Indian Students
Indian students are required to apply for an extension of study visa which grants them stay in the country for an additional six months to search for jobs. They can make extension applications at the local Swiss Migration Office. However, they are needed to show some proof related to the completion of their education, accommodation and financial resources which they utilise during the extension period
After receiving the employment letter from the recruiter, they are eligible for a resident permit. The employer makes the application for the resident permit at the official canton office on behalf of the employee.
Required documents for Resident Permit
- Passport
- Employment contract
- CV
- Previous academic documents
- Passport size photograph
Validity of Residence Permit
The validity of the residence permit depends on the type of residence permit. They are of two types:
- L Permit
- B Permit
For Indian graduates, the validity of the L (short-term permit) is 1 year whereas for the B permit (long-term permit) it is 2 years.
The basic difference between these two permits is that the validity of the L permit is fixed for the particular employer as per the job contract whereas the B permit can be extended further beyond two years for the same employer.
Conclusion
Switzerland is one of the potential countries favourable for international graduates to pursue jobs. Although the Swiss market is very competitive in finding relevant employment, having appropriate knowledge and skills can help graduates safeguard their post-study careers in the country.
International students should become aware of the Swiss market and employment opportunities by making connections with the local community, corporations, alumni, etc.
FAQs
Which job is more demanding in Switzerland?
Jobs in sectors like IT, Banking & Finances, Healthcare, and Hospitality are more demanding among international graduates, and it makes the application very competitive. However, with the right strategy and guidance, you can secure a post-study career in Switzerland.
How can I apply for jobs in Switzerland?
You can visit the job portals of Switzerland, like Indeed, jobup, arbeit, swiss, etc., to search for relevant job opportunities in Switzerland, and you can also apply for them directly.
Can I get PR in Switzerland?
Indian working professionals are eligible for PR in Switzerland, provided that they have spent 10 continuous years in the country on a B permit before applying for permanent residency on a C permit.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
