Foreigners confronting challenges in Switzerland this summer, notably swimming difficulties, health concerns, and pay discrepancies
Switzerland, known for its high living standards and competitive job market, has long attracted immigrants seeking education, career opportunities, and a better life. However, a recent study conducted by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL) and the University of Geneva has shed light on the persisting wage disparities between Swiss and foreign employees.
The study, which analysed data from censuses, population registers, and Switzerland's central migration information system, found that the public perception of immigrants is shaped by an outdated image from the 1990s. Contrary to common belief, most immigrants do not come to Switzerland as predominantly Muslim asylum seekers from the Balkans. Instead, they are primarily drawn by educational and career opportunities and tend to leave after five to ten years.
Despite the increasing number of foreign workers, official data specifically detailing the wage differences between Swiss and foreign employees since 2022, including their evolution, is not readily available. However, related insights can be summarized as follows.
General wage levels in Switzerland remain high, with the median gross salary for a full-time employee in 2024 being CHF 81,500. Men earn around CHF 90,800, while women earn CHF 80,000, indicating a gender wage gap of roughly 12%.
When it comes to foreign employees, while a precise comparison of wages between Swiss and foreign workers isn't explicitly provided, Erik Wirz, a Swiss executive search expert, suggests that at higher managerial levels, salary differences between European countries are minimal. This means that foreign managers working in Switzerland often earn competitive or similar salaries compared to their local Swiss counterparts, especially in senior roles.
However, wage differences might be more pronounced in lower-skilled or sector-specific roles, covered by minimum wages or collective labor agreements. Switzerland does not have a national minimum wage, but some cantons set their own, such as Geneva at CHF 24.48 per hour in 2025. Sector-specific collective agreements also influence wages for various industries, potentially affecting wage disparities for lower-wage foreign workers.
The study also found that foreign patients cost health insurance companies nearly 1,000 francs less per year than Swiss citizens, partly due to the age structure of the foreign population, as immigrants in Switzerland are mostly of working age.
As for the future of foreign employment in Switzerland, a treaty between Bern and Brussels, concluded in December 2024, modifies the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP) regarding European Union citizens working in Switzerland. The modifications cover employment-based immigration, new 'permanent residency' status, and laxer family reunification rules.
In conclusion, while no directly cited data from 2022 onward conclusively quantifies the wage differences or their evolution between Swiss and foreign employees, evidence suggests relatively competitive pay at senior levels for foreigners and a general wage increase trend in the Swiss labor market since 2022. However, definitive specifics on the Swiss-foreigner wage gap remain unavailable in the current sources. Further official Swiss labor market reports or detailed Federal Statistical Office releases would be needed for precise figures on this topic.
[1] Swiss Federal Statistical Office, Labour Force Survey 2024. [2] Wirz, E. (2023). Executive Search in Switzerland: Navigating the Swiss Job Market. [3] Swiss Federal Labour Administration, Minimum Wage and Collective Labour Agreements. [4] OECD (2025). Wages in OECD Countries: Evolution and Prospects.
- The study conducted by EPFL and the University of Geneva revealed that the perception of immigrants in Switzerland is influenced by an outdated image, as most immigrants are drawn to Switzerland for education and career opportunities rather than seeking asylum.
- Although specific data on wage differences between Swiss and foreign employees since 2022 isn't easily accessible, Swiss executive search expert Erik Wirz suggests that foreign managers in senior roles typically earn competitive or similar salaries compared to their Swiss counterparts in Switzerland.
- In contrast, wage differences may be more noticeable in lower-skilled or sector-specific roles, where minimum wages, cantonal regulations, or sector-specific collective agreements play a significant role.
- The study also uncovered that foreign patients in Switzerland tend to cost health insurance companies nearly 1,000 francs less annually than Swiss citizens, in part due to the working-age demographic of the foreign population.
- As for the future of foreign employment in Switzerland, a treaty between Bern and Brussels signed in December 2024 modifies the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP), affecting employment-based immigration, permanent residency status, and family reunification rules for EU citizens working in Switzerland.
