What are the levels of training in Switzerland and how do they affect salary?

In Switzerland there are three main training axes: AFC (Federal Certificate of Capacity, about 3–4 years of apprenticeship), sup diploma (university vocational school), and university studies (bachelor's, master's, doctorate). In general, the salary increases with the level of training, although the differentials vary by sector. According to the Federal Statistical Office (UST/BFS), a hypothetical scenario shows that a holder of AFC in manufacturing earns a basic salary, while a sup graduate in the same sector receives an average surplus. A graduate enters more qualified roles with even higher salaries. In the advanced tertiary sector (consultancy, finance) the waste is larger; in the crafts sector the waste is smaller, but still significant.

What are collective bargaining agreements and how do they set the minimum wage?

Collective labour agreements (CLAs) are agreements negotiated between trade unions, employers' associations and professional categories by sector. They set minimum wages based on experience and qualification, additional costs (13th month, sick pay, supplementary pension) and working conditions (hours, holidays, redundancies). Each major sector (industry, offices, sales, construction, hospitality, healthcare) usually has a CCL. The Canton of Solothurn recognises sectoral agreements. However, Solothurn does not have a universal cantonal minimum wage: some cantons (Basel City, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura) have introduced it; others leave the determination to collective agreements and the market.

How much is withheld from gross salary for contributions and taxes?

The main deductions are: AVS/AI at 5.3%, LPP from 7% to 18% according to age (calculated on the coordinated salary), AD/AC at 1.1% up to the maximum, LAINF from 0.7% to 1.5% by sector. In addition, the direct federal tax (DFI) on incomes above CHF 15,000 per annum, the cantonal tax of Solothurn and the municipal tax further reduce the net. On average, the net is 60-75% of the gross, depending on the amount and family situation. An official calculator allows precise estimates based on canton, municipality, number of children and marital status.

What is the difference between gross and net salary and how is it calculated?

Gross salary is the contractually agreed amount before any deduction. From the gross are subtracted: compulsory social contributions (AVS 5.3%, LPP 7–18%, AD/AC 1.1%, LAINF 0.7–1.5%), federal/cantonal/municipal taxes. In addition, LAMal (compulsory health insurance) is paid directly by the insured as a private premium, not by gross salary. Net is what remains after all these deductions and represents the amount the employee actually receives on their checking account. A Swiss calculator estimates the net by entering gross, canton, municipality, age and number of children.

Sole Salaries: Sectors and Levels of Training (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 24 August 2026

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How wages work in the Canton of Solothurn depending on training. Discover salary levels, collective agreements and taxation in Switzerland.

Context

In a nutshell

Salaries in Switzerland vary according to the degree of education, from AFC to university
Three levels of taxation (federal, cantonal, municipal) affect net salary
Compulsory contributions: AVS/AI 5.3%, LPP from 7% to 18%, private LAMal with deductibles from CHF 300

Key facts

What: Swiss salary system articulated by training levels
When: Effective 2024-2026, with annual adjustments to LPP thresholds and ceilings
Where: Canton Solothurn and all of Switzerland
Who: Employers, employees, cantonal administrations, SECO, UST/BFS
Employee contributions: AVS/AI 5.3%, AD/AC 1.1% up to annual ceiling, LAINF 0.7–1.5% by sector

The Swiss labour market is structured around degrees of training, from vocational training (AFC) to university studies. Unlike many European systems, there is no federal minimum wage in Switzerland: legislation is left to the cantons, and the canton of Solothurn does not have a specific cantonal minimum wage. Instead, pay is regulated by collective bargaining agreements by sector, which set minimum wages according to experience and qualification.

How training levels work

Training in Switzerland is divided into three main axes. The AFC (Federal Certificate of Ability), obtained after 3–4 years of apprenticeship, is the basic diploma for most craft and commercial trades. Above the AFC, the university school diploma

Operational details

Wage differentials by educational level

A hypothetical scenario illustrates the impact of training on salaries. An employee with AFC in a manufacturing sector earns a basic gross salary; a colleague with sup in the same sector receives an average surplus; an engineering graduate accesses design roles with even higher salaries. The differential percentages depend on the sector: in the advanced tertiary sector (consulting, finance) the gap between AFC and master is wider; in crafts (construction, mechanics) the differentials are smaller, although still significant.

Collective Bargaining Agreements and Sectoral Minimum Wages

The Canton of Solothurn, like all Swiss cantons, recognises collective labour agreements (CLAs) by sector. The main sectors in Switzerland (industry, offices, sales, construction, hospitality, healthcare) have CCLs that set minimum wages based on experience and qualification. A collective agreement usually establishes the minimum wage for those who enter the sector, annual increases for seniority, additional costs (13th month, additional sick cash contributions, supplementary pension). The construction and manufacturing sectors have historically been among the most widespread CCLs in Switzerland and the Canton of Solothurn. However, Solothurn does not have a universal cantonal minimum wage: some cantons (Basel-City, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura) have introduced it; others, such as

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Key points

Orientation in the Swiss Labor Market

The first step is to consult official sources of salary data. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) publishes salary surveys by sector and canton, although the most recent data is delayed by 1–2 years. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) provides bulletins on the labor market and analysis of employment trends. The cantonal administrations, including that of Solothurn, publish reports on the local economic fabric and working conditions.

To know the gross salary that an employer should offer, it is useful to consult the applicable collective labor agreements. If the sector has a CCL, the minimum salary is consultable at the trade unions or at the competent cantonal administration. If there is no collective labor agreement, the salary is subject to direct negotiation between the employer and the employee, with the constraint of the federal labor law: maximum 45 hours/week in industry, offices, and sales (50 hours in other sectors), at least 4 weeks of annual leave, and right to maternity (14 weeks at 80%) and paternity (2 weeks) deductions.

Practical Tools for Calculating Net Salary

Numerous online calculators allow for a reliable estimate of net income from gross income. A Swiss salary calculator requires the gross monthly or annual salary, the canton and municipality of residence, the number of children, marital status, and age (factors that influence the LPP threshold and social contributions). With this data, the calculation provides federal, cantonal, and municipal deductions, as well as mandatory social contributions (AVS, LPP, LAINF, AD/AC).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the levels of training in Switzerland and how do they affect salary?: In Switzerland there are three main training axes: AFC (Federal Certificate of Capacity, about 3–4 years of apprenticeship), sup diploma (university vocational school), and university studies (bachelor's, master's, doctorate). In general, the salary increases with the level of training, although the differentials vary by sector. According to the Federal Statistical Office (UST/BFS), a hypothetical scenario shows that a holder of AFC in manufacturing earns a basic salary, while a sup graduate in
What are collective bargaining agreements and how do they set the minimum wage?: Collective labour agreements (CLAs) are agreements negotiated between trade unions, employers' associations and professional categories by sector. They set minimum wages based on experience and qualification, additional costs (13th month, sick pay, supplementary pension) and working conditions (hours, holidays, redundancies). Each major sector (industry, offices, sales, construction, hospitality, healthcare) usually has a CCL. The Canton of Solothurn recognises sectoral agreements. However, Solo
How much is withheld from gross salary for contributions and taxes?: The main deductions are: AVS/AI at 5.3%, LPP from 7% to 18% according to age (calculated on the coordinated salary), AD/AC at 1.1% up to the maximum, LAINF from 0.7% to 1.5% by sector. In addition, the direct federal tax (DFI) on incomes above CHF 15,000 per annum, the cantonal tax of Solothurn and the municipal tax further reduce the net. On average, the net is 60-75% of the gross, depending on the amount and family situation. An official calculator allows precise estimates based on canton, mun
Is there a federal minimum wage in Switzerland?: No, Switzerland does not have a federal minimum wage. The Federal Labor Law sets the maximum hours (45 hours/week in industry, offices, sales; 50 hours in other sectors) and minimum holidays (4 weeks per year for adults, 5 for under 20 years), but not a national minimum wage. Some cantons (Basel-City, Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura) have introduced cantonal minimums; others, such as Solothurn, entrust determination to collective labour agreements and the market. The employer is bound to pay the mandato
What is the difference between gross and net salary and how is it calculated?: Gross salary is the contractually agreed amount before any deduction. From the gross are subtracted: compulsory social contributions (AVS 5.3%, LPP 7–18%, AD/AC 1.1%, LAINF 0.7–1.5%), federal/cantonal/municipal taxes. In addition, LAMal (compulsory health insurance) is paid directly by the insured as a private premium, not by gross salary. Net is what remains after all these deductions and represents the amount the employee actually receives on their checking account. A Swiss calculator estimate