Top 15 Most In-Demand Jobs in Switzerland
Like many countries in Europe, Switzerland’s healthy economy was tested by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. While there were certainly challenges, Switzerland went into the greatest periods of danger as one of the wealthiest nations in the world, so the effects were not as disastrously felt as in neighboring regions once coronavirus cases began to ebb.
Owing to much of Switzerland’s rebounding success, many international companies maintained offices throughout the nation’s largest hubs, including Geneva, Zurich, Bern, and Vaud –– so since lockdown restrictions were eased in 2021 – 2022, and despite relatively low productivity, jobseekers are looking to return the Swiss workforce.
As countless people in Switzerland head back to work in 2024 and beyond, job seekers must aim to stand out. And the best way to do this is by having a solid understanding of the most desirable jobs on the market. Before you begin your search, consider this: what skills are in high demand in Switzerland right now? Armed with this information, you will be much better prepared come interview time.
Here’s our list of the most in-demand skills and the most in-demand jobs in Switzerland in 2024.
What Skills are High In-Demand in Switzerland?
Top 10: The Most In-Demand Skills in Switzerland in 2024
Jobseekers with technical engineering skills are currently in very high demand throughout Switzerland, across all types of industries –– especially within the environmental fields, owing to the country’s varying landscapes and resources. Civil engineers, chemical engineers, electric engineers –– all roles need filling. Extensive training and specialized education (like computer science and mathematics) are a requirement, but so too are instinctive problem-solving abilities, creativity, and teamwork.
Industries: Architecture, Government, City Planning, Legal
Job titles: Chemical Engineer, Civil Engineering Technologist, Draftsperson
The Swiss healthcare industry is currently booming with positions for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists in high demand. Claiming one of the best healthcare systems in the world, Switzerland offers great pay to qualified medical candidates with the skills necessary to tackle these roles within a post-COVID population.
Industries: Private/Public Healthcare, Education
Job titles: Intensive Care Nurse, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Hospital Administrator
Due to the increase in construction projects throughout Switzerland (large-scale and private), skilled tradespeople are in high demand. Businesses across multiple industries require plumbers, carpenters, welders, and electricians to help contribute to the growing Swiss economy –– and these roles are some of the best paying and include ample growth opportunities.
Industries: Construction, Government, Environmental
Job titles: Carpenter, Plumber, Draftsperson, Welder, HVAC Technician
As new technologies continue to spring up with each passing business quarter, the need for qualified candidates with high-level web development skills is in great demand throughout Switzerland. Candidates who possess programming language and critical thinking skills are highly valuable to tech-led companies within Switzerland’s most prominent areas of commerce (like Zurich and Bern).
Industries: Information Technology, Finance, Marketing, Government, Education
Job titles: Web Developer, HTML/CSS Writer, Content Management Specialist
As more and more people log on to the web, their online footprints create huge opportunities for mining and interpreting data that is helpful to all kinds of businesses. Using this data to predict user habits (like online shopping, video streaming, or utilizing online resources) is a massively powerful industry––and the key players keeping this industry thriving are those working in Information Technology.
Industries: Information Technology, Government, Marketing, Retail
Job titles: Computer Network Architect, IT Coordinator, Network Administrator
When individual economies experience hard times, you can often expect rebounds to occur in the form of localized unification and in-spending; when the world economy falls under hard times, the natural rebound occurs in the areas of travel, retail, tourism, and hospitality –– all of which require dedicated customer service candidates at all levels.
Industries: Retail, Hospitality, Wholesale, Tourism
Job titles: Sales Associate/Manager, Server, Travel Agent, Company Secretary
With many different languages spoken throughout the regions, Switzerland has often relied on those with strong language skills experts to fill positions across all types of industries. As one of Europe’s wealthiest nations, Switzerland also attracts several foreign jobseekers so having the ability to speak at least one of the four national languages (German, French, Italian or Romansh) is a huge bonus.
Industries: Education, Legal, Marketing, Accounting, Publishing
Job titles: Interpreter, Linguist, Translators, Communications Specialist
Marketing is a rapidly growing industry in Europe –– and especially in Switzerland, so the roles are readily available if you’ve got what it takes. Skills like attention to detail, the ability to research and interpret data, and communicate business trends to assemble effective sales strategies are highly valued in cities like Zurich and Bern where many firms rely on marketers to increase their profits.
Industries: e-Commerce, Retail, Advertising, Education
Job titles: Digital Marketing Specialist, Marketing Coordinator, Web Marketing Specialist
Zurich is one of the most vital centers of business in all of Europe –– so there is high demand for decisive strategists and consultants who can lead their teams to increased sales goals by using skills like creativity, communication, problem-solving and client-focused thinking.
Industries: Tech, Hospitality, Tourism, Government, Legal
Job titles: SAP Consultant, Business Analyst, Consulting Advisor, Project Manager
People with legal expertise and training are frequently in demand throughout Switzerland –– likely because of the specialized nature of most lawyers and legal professionals. The more serious the trouble people find themselves in, the more complex the role a lawyer will play in the life of their client. Even legal experts who specialize in reading wills, buying/selling a property, or putting together contracts are popular because of the importance of the work involved.
Industries: Legal, Business, Finance, Healthcare, Government
Job titles: Attorney, Judge, Paralegal, Mortgage Specialist
What are the Most In-Demand Jobs in Switzerland?
Top 15: The Most In-Demand Jobs in Switzerland in 2024
Top companies hiring: Gruner, Lombardi, Polymetrix, Saint-Gobain
Civil Engineer Salary range: CHF 82,000 – 200,000 per year
Career prospects: These highly in-demand positions require dedicated and skilled candidates to design, plan, develop and manage construction projects throughout Switzerland –– whether it’s the repair of roads, buildings, and railways, or the maintenance of canals, bridges, and coastal systems.
Top companies hiring: Ernst & Young, Swisscom, Next Ventures, Randstad, Deloitte
SAP Consultant Salary range: CHF 90,000 – 150,000 per year
Career prospects: These types of highly skilled consultancy jobs are in demand throughout Switzerland, mostly because of their importance to overall business operations. SAP Consultants analyze and configure computer software systems to the specifications of their client or employer’s needs while also creating program-based solutions.
Top companies hiring: Amun Tokens, AT & S, Lombard Odier, Organon, Danaher
IT Technician Salary range: CHF 68,000 – 140,000 per year
Career prospects: Also known as a Data Center Technician, some of the most in-demand jobs in Switzerland are based within the Information Technology industry. Larger areas have seen substantial growth in 2024 for IT Technicians, but so too have smaller towns that rely on computers to operate their businesses.
Top companies hiring: Redstone Private Banking, Prestige IFA, Marmot Invest, Pictet Group (Geneva)
Financial Advisor / Wealth Manager Salary range: CHF 85,000 – 200,000 per year
Career prospects: Switzerland is known for its prominence as a global banking destination so it’s only natural that jobs within the financial sector would be in high demand. A Financial Advisor, or Financial Planner / Wealth Manager, helps individuals to budget and manage their money using up-to-date strategic thinking and other high-level skills.
Top companies hiring: CURT Group, Aczenta, Kelly Services Switzerland, Sulzer
Welder Salary range: CHF 50,000 – 85,000 per year
Career prospects: Companies across Switzerland are consistently hiring qualified and skilled tradespeople –– and one of the most in-demand trades is welding. Welders review blueprints and assemble or repair metal components during construction projects or when performing on-site maintenance work. The work is demanding, but welders are often well-paid and have flexible schedules.
Top companies hiring: Johnson & Johnson, Forest Grove Rehabilitation Center, GSK, University Hospital
Nurse Salary range: CHF 83,000 – 105,000 per year
Career prospects: Nursing jobs in Switzerland are in high demand given the country’s robust healthcare system which is still reeling from the effects of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The long-term care millions of citizens will require in 2024 make these roles vital to the overall industry.
Top companies hiring: Swissquote, Akka Technologies, Google, FORS, EPAM Systems
Software Developer Salary range: CHF 94,000 – 190,000 per year
Career prospects: The growing demand for Software Developers (also known as Software Specialists or Engineers) in Switzerland has been consistent for years, owing to the European nation’s growing embrace of tech, and it’s expected to climb even higher into 2024.
Top companies hiring: Adecco, Experis Switzerland, Kempinski Hotels, Restaurant Bands
Project Manager Salary range: CHF 80,000 – 130,000 per year
Career prospects: An effective Project Manager plans and allocates resources for a company, as well as preparing budgets, monitoring project statuses, and ensuring that stakeholders are kept well-informed throughout a project’s life cycle. A take-charge candidate who can accomplish all of the above will always be in high demand throughout the more popular areas of Switzerland.
Top companies hiring: Blueground, Lufthansa, Morgan & Mallet International, Thermo Fisher
Maintenance Technician Salary range: CHF 60,000 – 90,000 per year
Career prospects: Another highly in-demand trades position that involves the smooth and efficient maintenance of on-site operational systems, these technicians typically possess electrical, carpentry, plumbing, and other repair skills.
Top companies hiring: Lightspeed POS, Intercontinental Geneve, Crowne Plaza, Ski Miquel
Hospitality Manager Salary range: CHF 45,000 – 75,000 per year
Career prospects: Switzerland remains an attractive tourist destination –– namely due to its cultural appeal, recreational opportunities, and scenic mountain ranges (ideal for skiing). Hotels and restaurants thrive on tourism and the need for qualified candidates, like a Hospitality Manager, who runs the day-to-day operations of such businesses, is always in demand.
Top companies hiring: Bank Vontobel, Swisslinx, Compass Security Deutschland, Credit Suisse
Cyber Security Analyst Salary range: CHF 110,000 – 145,000 per year
Career prospects: As hacking and other online crimes continue to grow throughout many of Europe’s most robust markets, skilled Cyber Security Analysts, who can navigate through internal data systems and provide protection against compromised external sources, are in high demand by many different companies across multiple industries.
Top companies hiring: The United Nations Office (Geneva), Radiolutions, Nestlé, ProClinical
Specialist Medical Practitioner
Salary range: CHF 92,000 – 150,000 per year
Career prospects: Those who specialize in concentrated areas of medicine, specifically rehabilitation and other therapies, are in high demand given the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite Switzerland’s resilient healthcare system, many people will still require long-term treatment and extended care so these positions are heavily in-demand.
Top companies hiring: Guided Solutions, ABB, Sulzer, Akka Technologies
Mechanical Engineer Salary range: CHF 80,000 – 130,000 per year
Career prospects: Responsible for researching and designing machinery (like heating, cooling, and ventilation systems) and ensuring their proper functionality over time, Mechanical Engineers provide a valuable, high-level service and are extremely in demand throughout Switzerland.
Top companies hiring: Earthworks, Angst & Pfister, Jacobs Engineering Group, Climeworks
Chemical Engineer Salary range: CHF 75,000 – 90,000 per year
Career prospects: Chemical Engineers are responsible for the design and development of chemical manufacturing processes within their organizations. These roles, which require a lot of training and education (they are also extremely well-paid), are in high demand throughout Switzerland.
Top companies hiring: TAG Heuer, Michael Kors, Diesel Swiss, Christian Dior, Sunglass Hut, Farfetch
Retail Store Clerk Salary range: CHF 40,000 – 60,000 per year
Career prospects: Switzerland is a major tourist destination and, as such, there are plenty of businesses that require friendly and personable salespeople at the retail level. Store Clerks (or Sales Assistants) are in high demand throughout the busiest areas of the country.
Find and Apply for the Most In-Demand Jobs in Switzerland!
There you have it! The most in-demand jobs in Switzerland for 2024. As the world and global workforce continue to evolve, certain job skills will become more sought-after, and filling certain positions will become more important. Be sure to stand out from all other candidates –– know where the demand is highest while always brushing up on the most popular job skills. And you’re sure to succeed.
