Is the wage gap decreasing everywhere in Switzerland at the same rate?

No, it varies significantly by sector and context. In 2024, the gap in accommodation and catering services is only 7.9%, while in financial and insurance activities it reaches 30.6%. In the public sector the overall gap (12.8%) is smaller than in the private sector (17.2%), indicating that public employers have implemented more effective equality policies.

What exactly does' unexplained part of the wage gap 'mean?

It is the portion of the gap that cannot be attributed to factors such as level of training, years of service, hierarchical function or economic branch. In 2024 it corresponds to 6.5% overall (CHF 640 per month), suggesting that part of the disparity is due to other factors that are not always easily identifiable or justifiable.

Does the wage gap actually grow with the age of working women?

Yes, in a marked way. Women under 30 have an unexplained gap of 2.2%, while women over 50 have an unexplained gap of 8.3%. This almost quadrupling suggests that wage disparities accumulate and amplify throughout women's working careers.

Do women also earn less in the Swiss public sector?

Yes, but to a lesser extent than the private sector. In 2024, the gap in the public sector is 12.8% (compared to 17.2% in the private sector). The unexplained share is 5.9% in the public sector (CHF 574 per month) versus 6.7% in the private sector (CHF 644 per month).

Does company size play a role in the gender pay gap?

Yes, very significant. In small companies with less than 20 employees the unexplained gap is 8.6%, while in large companies with at least 1000 employees it drops to 5.8%. More structured companies probably have more transparent and controlled wage processes, reducing arbitrary disparities.

Gender pay gap: reduced to 15.7%

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 31 August 2026

Swiss workers reviewing salary documents in a modern workplace environment

The wage gap between women and men in Switzerland continues to narrow. In 2024 it stands at 15.7%, down from 16.2% in 2022. The UST report of August 31, 2026 analyzes the data by sector and role.

Context

At a glance

Overall wage gap at 15.7% in 2024
Down from 16.2% in 2022 and from 19% in 2018
Unexplained portion of 6.5%, equal to 640 francs less per month

Key facts

What: FSO report on wage structure and gender gap
When: 31 August 2026 (data referring to 2024)
Where: Whole of Switzerland, private and public sectors
Who: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
Amount: 15.7% overall gap; 640 francs/month of unexplained difference
Trend: Progressive reduction from 19% in 2018

The Federal Statistical Office published on 31 August 2026 the detailed analysis of the wage gap between women and men in Switzerland, based on the Swiss wage structure survey 2024. The results confirm a positive trend consolidated over time: the overall wage gap stands at 15.7%, down from 16.2% in 2022, 18% in 2020 and 19% in 2018.

Women earned on average 15.7% less than their male colleagues, calculated on standardized gross monthly wages equivalent to full-time (100%) based on actual working time. In the private sector, the gap reaches 17.2% in 2024, slightly down from 17.5% in 2022, 19.5% in 2020 and 19.6% in 2018. In the public sector (Confederation, Cantons and Municipalities considered as a whole), the general wage gap stands at 12.8% in 2024, down from 13.8% in 2022, 15.1% in 2020 and 18.1% in 2018.

However, wage disparities are not solely due to easily explainable factors such as level of education, years of service or hierarchical function. The FSO distinguishes between a portion of the gap attributable to these structural differences and an 'unexplained' portion that remains difficult to justify. In 2024, the unexplained portion of the gap at the overall level stands at 6.5%, equivalent to 640 gross francs per month (it was 7%, equal to 657 francs in 2022).

Significant disparities by economic branch

Analyzing the private sector by economic branch, very significant disparities emerge. In the accommodation and food services branch, women earned 7.9% less than men. In retail trade, the gap rises to 16.9%. In the manufacture of machinery and equipment, it reaches 17.2%. In the financial and insurance activities branch, the gap widens dramatically to 30.6%, the highest value among all sectors analyzed.

The unexplained portion of the gap also varies considerably across sectors. In the accommodation and food services branch, it corresponds to 191 francs per month. In retail trade, it reaches 606 francs. In the manufacture of machinery, it rises to 829 francs. In the financial and insurance activities branch, the unexplained disparity is the most marked: 1,506 francs per month.

In the private sector as a whole, the unexplained portion of the gap stands at 6.7% in 2024 (7.2% in 2022), corresponding to 644 francs per month (653 francs in 2022). In the public sector, the unexplained wage gap in 2024 is equal to 5.9%, or on average 574 francs per month (6.7% and 623 francs in 2022).

Operational details

Company size amplifies the gap

The unexplained pay gap varies significantly depending on company size. In small businesses with fewer than 20 employees, it reaches 8.6% in 2024 (8.4% in 2022). In large companies with at least 1000 employees, it drops to 5.8% in 2024 (6.8% in 2022). This pattern suggests that larger companies, likely equipped with more structured and transparent pay processes, tend to reduce gender gaps that are difficult to explain through objective factors such as qualifications or experience.

Corporate hierarchy: the multiplier factor

Hierarchical position has a marked effect on the unexplained gap. Among employees without a managerial role, the unexplained portion of the gap is 6.1% in 2024 (6.6% in 2022). Among employees with a senior managerial role, the disparity jumps to 12.4% in 2024 (10.6% in 2022). This doubling of the gap when moving from operational levels to company leadership reflects a concerning trend: the higher up the hierarchy, the greater the pay gap that is difficult to justify by differences in role, formal skills or responsibilities.

Age and family status: critical variables

Age significantly amplifies the unexplained gap. Women under 30 earned, on average, 2.2% less than men with the same structural characteristics (2.4% in 2022). Women over 50 instead earned 8.3% less than their male peers (8.5% in 2022). The gap practically doubles between young and older workers, suggesting that pay disparities accumulate and amplify over the course of a career.

Marital status and family situation have an equally considerable impact on the unexplained disparity. Among single employees, the unexplained gap is 2.7% in 2024 (2.8% in 2022). Among married employees, it jumps to 8.1% (8.8% in 2022). However, the FSO explicitly emphasises that, although marital status and family situation may be informative for describing pay gaps, according to the Federal Act on Gender Equality (SR 151.1), such characteristics must NOT be used to justify gender pay disparities.

Professional education: a protective factor

The level of education significantly affects the unexplained portion of the gap. Among employees who graduated from a university of applied sciences or a teachers' college, the unexplained gap is 3.8% in 2024 (3.5% in 2022), the lowest value among all education levels analysed. Employees with vocational training record an unexplained gap of 6.6% in 2024 (7.3% in 2022). These data suggest that a professionalising university education may offer relative protection against gender pay disparities that are difficult to explain.

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

Where to find the complete data

The detailed report from the Federal Statistical Office on the 2024 Swiss Salary Structure Survey contains the full analysis of the wage gap between women and men. The official press release, published on 31 August 2026, provides the aggregate figures, historical trends since 2018, and the main variables influencing the gap (sector, company size, hierarchical role, age, education, marital status).

How to use this data in practice

For those working in Switzerland, this data provides an important benchmark for evaluating your own salary situation. If you are a woman and notice a significant discrepancy compared to male colleagues performing the same role, you can use this report as documentary evidence in discussions with your employer or when contacting trade unions and gender equality bodies. The FSO data shows that gaps of 6-7% (the unexplained portion) cannot be attributed to differences in skills or experience, suggesting possible forms of wage discrimination.

Positive trend but persistent concerns

The FSO data confirms that the trend of reducing the wage gap continues year after year. From 19% in 2018 to 15.7% in 2024 represents tangible progress of 3.3 percentage points over six years. However, significant concerns remain, particularly in senior management (12.4% unexplained) and in financial activities (30.6% overall gap). Monitoring this data annually remains essential to assess whether the pay equity policies undertaken by companies and the public sector are actually reducing the gap.

If you wish to calculate your gross salary and compare it with the average sector data, you can use the salary calculator available on this platform. You can also consult the information on the cost of living in Switzerland for a comprehensive assessment of your economic situation and to check whether your income compared to colleagues has a real impact on your ability to live and work in the country.

Source: admin.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the wage gap decreasing everywhere in Switzerland at the same rate?: No, it varies significantly by sector and context. In 2024, the gap in accommodation and catering services is only 7.9%, while in financial and insurance activities it reaches 30.6%. In the public sector the overall gap (12.8%) is smaller than in the private sector (17.2%), indicating that public employers have implemented more effective equality policies.
What exactly does' unexplained part of the wage gap 'mean?: It is the portion of the gap that cannot be attributed to factors such as level of training, years of service, hierarchical function or economic branch. In 2024 it corresponds to 6.5% overall (CHF 640 per month), suggesting that part of the disparity is due to other factors that are not always easily identifiable or justifiable.
Does the wage gap actually grow with the age of working women?: Yes, in a marked way. Women under 30 have an unexplained gap of 2.2%, while women over 50 have an unexplained gap of 8.3%. This almost quadrupling suggests that wage disparities accumulate and amplify throughout women's working careers.
Do women also earn less in the Swiss public sector?: Yes, but to a lesser extent than the private sector. In 2024, the gap in the public sector is 12.8% (compared to 17.2% in the private sector). The unexplained share is 5.9% in the public sector (CHF 574 per month) versus 6.7% in the private sector (CHF 644 per month).
Does company size play a role in the gender pay gap?: Yes, very significant. In small companies with less than 20 employees the unexplained gap is 8.6%, while in large companies with at least 1000 employees it drops to 5.8%. More structured companies probably have more transparent and controlled wage processes, reducing arbitrary disparities.