Healthcare Jobs in Switzerland 2026
Health professionals earn a median CHF 8,000 gross a month in Switzerland (FSO, 2024), and public hospitals pay according to published scales. Before the first application, check one thing: whether your diploma must be recognised.
Pay: official medians and hospital scales
| Group | All ages | ≤ 29 | 30–49 | 50+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health professionals | 8,000 | 6,642 | 8,152 | 8,968 |
| Health associate professionals | 6,203 | 5,357 | 6,484 | 7,032 |
Public hospitals publish their scales. At the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), a registered nurse is in class 15: CHF 87,958 to 118,926 a year. At the CHUV in Lausanne, nurses are in class 8 or 9 of the Vaud scale: CHF 71,379 to 111,749. Both include the 13th month. Details: nurse salary in Geneva and in Lausanne.
Who hires
Foreign diplomas: recognition first
Health professions are regulated: a foreign diploma must be recognised before you can work in your profession. For nurses and most other health professions, the Swiss Red Cross handles recognition; for doctors, dentists and pharmacists, it is the Federal Office of Public Health's medical professions commission (MEBEKO). You also need the language of the region where you work.
How to apply
Hospitals post on their own career sites and on the large Swiss boards; the ad states the class or the required diploma and experience. Send your recognition, or proof that it is under way, with the application. More: diploma recognition in Switzerland.
Frequently asked questions
How much do nurses earn in Switzerland?
In public hospitals, pay follows a published scale. At the Geneva University Hospitals, a registered nurse starts at CHF 87,958 a year (class 15); at the CHUV in Lausanne, nurses are in class 8 or 9, from CHF 71,379 or 77,068. All figures include the 13th month.
Who recognises foreign health diplomas in Switzerland?
The Swiss Red Cross for nurses and most other health professions, and the medical professions commission (MEBEKO) of the Federal Office of Public Health for doctors, dentists and pharmacists. Start the process before applying: hospitals ask for it.
What do health professionals earn on average?
The median for health professionals, which includes doctors and nurses with a degree, is CHF 8,000 gross a month in 2024 (FSO). Health associate professionals, such as nursing assistants, earn a median of CHF 6,203.
FSO, Swiss Earnings Structure Survey 2024, table T17 (published 24.02.2026) · Canton of Geneva, pay scale, class 15 in HUG nurse job ads · CHUV, salary FAQ (19.01.2026) and Canton of Vaud, 2026 pay scale · Swiss Red Cross; Federal Office of Public Health, MEBEKO