Is there a specific cantonal minimum wage in Aargau?

Switzerland does not have a mandatory federal minimum wage for all sectors. Some cantons have adopted minimum wage ordinances for certain professions or regions. To find out if your sector in Aargau has a cantonal minimum, contact the cantonal labour office Aargau and consult the Seco database of collective labour agreements, which often include minimum wages negotiated at the cantonal level.

What is the difference between gross and net salary?

Gross salary is the amount agreed between employee and employer. From the gross, mandatory contributions (AVS/AI 5.3%, AD/AC 1.1%, LPP 7-18% according to age), federal/cantonal/municipal taxes are considered. The employee pays LAMal (health insurance) privately. The net is what remains after all these deductions — usually 40-50% of gross gross, depending on the canton, income and personal situation.

How am I protected from dismissal in Aargau?

Federal labor law provides for termination periods: 1 month during the first year of employment, 2 months from the second to the ninth year, 3 months from the tenth year onwards. If you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CCL), the CCL may extend these terms and provide additional protection against unfair dismissal. Consult your CCL or union representative.

Which office do I contact to check if my contract complies with the law?

The Cantonal Labour Office Aargau provides free advice on federal and cantonal labour rights. You can also contact a union in your industry (VSA, OCST, UNIA, Syndicom), who can check if your contract meets the minimum negotiations and your rights under the applicable CCL.

Wages and the labour market in Aargau: sectors and levels (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 7 September 2026

Modern Swiss office workspace with employees: typical professional environment in Aargau's job market

In the canton of Aargau, salaries vary for training and collective agreements. Learn about pay differentials, social contributions, and federal labor protections.

Context

In brief

Swiss salaries vary by education; no federal minimum
Social contributions: AVS/AI 5.3%, AD/AC 1.1%, LPP 7-18% depending on age
Aargau applies federal law with protections common to all of Switzerland

Key facts

What: Swiss salary structure and labor market
When: Current regulations until 2026
Where: Canton of Aargau, Switzerland
Who: Employees and private employers
Hours: 45 hours/week (industry) or 50 hours (other sectors)

In the canton of Aargau, as in all of Switzerland, the labor market is based on specialized training and differentiated salary levels according to the level of education. Switzerland does not have a federal minimum wage; wage conditions are regulated by collective labor agreements and specific cantonal ordinances. In Aargau, common federal standards apply: a maximum of 45 hours per week (industry, offices, sales) or 50 hours for other sectors, a minimum of 4 weeks of vacation, and notice periods according to seniority (1 month in the first year, 2 months from the second to the ninth, and 3 months from the tenth).

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Operational details

How Gross and Net Salary Work

When an employer and an employee negotiate a 'gross salary', they are agreeing on an amount that already includes mandatory social contributions. The employee does not pay the AVS separately; the employer withholds it directly from the paycheck along with income taxes (federal, cantonal, and communal). The net salary for the employee = gross salary - AVS/AI/IPG (5.3%) - AD/AC (1.1%) - LPP (7-18% depending on age) - federal and cantonal/communal taxes - LAMal (paid directly by the employee).

A hypothetical scenario: An employee in Aargau with a gross annual salary of CHF 60,000 sees approximately 5.3% withheld for AVS/AI (CHF 3,180), 1.1% for AD/AC (CHF 660), plus federal and cantonal taxes according to the communal residence. Adding the LPP quota (7-18% depending on age: for example, 10% for a thirty-five-year-old, CHF 6,000), the net salary drops to about 40-50% of the gross salary — a significant reduction due to contributions and taxes.

Salary Differential by Sector and Qualification

The three training tracks create substantial salary differentials. An apprentice with a Federal Vocational Education and Training (VET) certificate (18-22 years) receives lower remuneration, typically in the range of CHF 800-1,500 monthly depending on the sector. A post-compulsory education graduate accesses positions as an employee, technician, or maintenance worker, with gross salaries averaging CHF 3,500-5,500 monthly. A university or polytechnic graduate qualifies for roles as an analyst, engineer, coordinator, or manager, with salaries of CHF 6,000-10,000+ monthly. These differentials widen with seniority: with the same qualification, a worker with 10 years of experience typically earns 20-40% more than a new hire.

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Key points

How to get information on salaries and contracts in Aargau

If you are a candidate or a worker looking for information on average salaries and collective agreements in the canton of Aargau, there are reliable resources available:

1. SECO Portal (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, www.seco.admin.ch): publishes statistics on the Swiss labor market, median salaries by profession and canton, unemployment rate. You can filter the results by canton (Aargau) and economic sector.

2. Collective agreements database: SECO maintains a searchable operation of current CBA in Switzerland, with full texts available for download. By accessing the portal, you can search by canton (Aargau) and sector to verify if a CBA covers you and what the negotiated minimum wages are.

3. Aargau Cantonal Labor Office (Department of Economy, Labor Market): provides free advice on federal and cantonal labor rights, contacts of trade unions and professional associations, mediation in case of wage disputes.

4. Trade unions and professional associations: Swiss trade unions (VSA, OCST, UNIA, Syndicom, etc.) negotiate CBAs and can inform you if your sector has an applicable collective agreement and what your exact rights are.

What to check before accepting a job offer

Before signing a contract in Aargau, check:

1. Applicability of a CBA: Ask the employer if your role is covered by a collective agreement. If so, the offered salary MUST comply with the minimum wage specified by the CBA; if lower, it represents a violation.

2. Net salary calculation: Use the salary calculator provided by Frontaliere Ticino to accurately estimate the net amount based on the proposed gross salary, according to Aargau taxation and your personal data (marital status, children, canton of residence).

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a specific cantonal minimum wage in Aargau?: Switzerland does not have a mandatory federal minimum wage for all sectors. Some cantons have adopted minimum wage ordinances for certain professions or regions. To find out if your sector in Aargau has a cantonal minimum, contact the cantonal labour office Aargau and consult the Seco database of collective labour agreements, which often include minimum wages negotiated at the cantonal level.
What is the difference between gross and net salary?: Gross salary is the amount agreed between employee and employer. From the gross, mandatory contributions (AVS/AI 5.3%, AD/AC 1.1%, LPP 7-18% according to age), federal/cantonal/municipal taxes are considered. The employee pays LAMal (health insurance) privately. The net is what remains after all these deductions — usually 40-50% of gross gross, depending on the canton, income and personal situation.
How am I protected from dismissal in Aargau?: Federal labor law provides for termination periods: 1 month during the first year of employment, 2 months from the second to the ninth year, 3 months from the tenth year onwards. If you are covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CCL), the CCL may extend these terms and provide additional protection against unfair dismissal. Consult your CCL or union representative.
Which office do I contact to check if my contract complies with the law?: The Cantonal Labour Office Aargau provides free advice on federal and cantonal labour rights. You can also contact a union in your industry (VSA, OCST, UNIA, Syndicom), who can check if your contract meets the minimum negotiations and your rights under the applicable CCL.