Wages and work Thurgau: sectors, levels and contracts (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• No federal minimum wage, any canton-specific not yet specified
• Maximum weekly schedule of 45 or 50 hours depending on the sector
• Employee AVS/AHV contributions 5.3% (10.6% total with employer)
• LAMal required for all residents
• Direct federal tax, VAT and three tax levels (federal, cantonal, municipal)

Key facts

• What: Contributory scheme AVS/AHV, LPP and LAMal
• When: Current, in force for years without recent changes
• Where: Canton of Thurgau, valid at national level
• Who: Employees, employers, cantonal authorities
• Amount: Employee AVS/AHV contribution 5.3%
• What: Maximum working hours 45 h (industry, offices, sales) or 50 h (other sectors)
• When: Minimum holiday 4 weeks (5 under 20)
• Who: SECO, UST/BFS, BNS/SNB provide statistical data

The canton of Thurgau, like all Swiss cantons, is located in the federal framework in which there is no minimum wage at the national level; the presence of a cantonal minimum, if provided, is not indicated in the source and therefore remains "not yet specified". Working time regulations set a limit of 45 hours per week for industrial, office and sales sectors, while other sectors can reach 50 hours. Holidays are guaranteed for a minimum of four weeks, with an extension to five weeks for workers under twenty.

Regulatory frameworks and mandatory contributions

Employees are subject to a

Operational details

📊 The labour market in Thurgau is characterised by a strong presence of collective agreements, although the source does not list specific agreements. In the absence of a cantonal minimum wage, wages are negotiated between unions and employers, often based on the level of training. The sectors that traditionally employ the most include the mechanical industry, financial services and alpine tourism; these sectors require skills ranging from professional qualifications to specialist degrees.

Without a cantonal minimum, the wage difference between training levels can be more marked than in cantons with a fixed threshold. A worker with vocational training (CAP) could earn a basic salary which, once the AVS/AHV, LPP and LAMal contributions are applied, translates into a net lower than a graduate with the same working hours. However, collective agreements often provide for wage brackets by grade of qualification, reducing the gap.

Comparison before-afterthe introduction of a possible cantonal minimum

• Current scenario : salaries are decided by the market and collective agreements; employees benefit from mandatory contributions (AVS/AHV 5.3%) and full LAMal coverage.
• Hypothetical scenario: the introduction of a cantonal minimum wage (e.g. CHF 4,000 gross per month) would imply an increase for the lower categories, but would also increase the costs for the

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

💡 For those living or planning to work in the canton of Thurgau, the operational process begins with verifying the collective labor agreements applicable to your sector. Here are the recommended steps:

1. Identify the employment sector – consult the cantonal website or SECO publications to understand which collective agreements are in effect. 2. Retrieve the agreement text – often available on the industry union's portal or the cantonal labor authority's website. 3. Calculate net pay – use the salary calculator by entering gross salary, weekly hours (45 or 50), and mandatory contributions (AVS/AHV 5.3%, AD/AC 1.1%, LAA/LAI 0.7–1.5%). 4. Verify health insurance coverage – within three months of relocation, it is mandatory to take out health insurance; choose the most suitable deductible (300–2500 CHF) and check for any cantonal reductions. 5. Declare taxes – complete the federal direct tax return and the cantonal/municipal return, taking into account the municipal multiplier. For the final calculation, you can use the tax calculator. 6. Monitor updates – changes to collective agreements or salary thresholds are published by UST/BFS and SECO; subscribing to cantonal newsletters is useful for not missing deadlines.

If you hold a residence permit (B, C, or G), you must also verify the validity of the permit with the SEM and, if necessary, renew it before the expiration date.

Quick Checklist

• [ ] Sector identified and collective agreement downloaded
• [ ] Net pay calculation performed using the calculator
• [ ] LAMal policy signed within 3 months
• [ ] Tax return prepared
• [ ] Residence permit updated

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