Salary

Understanding your salary in Schaffhausen

A comprehensive guide to pay structure and benefits in Schaffhausen.

The salary system in Switzerland is carefully designed and ensures that you receive fair and appropriate remuneration for your work.

Wage levels in Switzerland

In Switzerland, you will enjoy one of the world's leading salary levels. In addition, your life will be enriched by an excellent quality of life, which is underpinned by comprehensive security and a stable economy and political situation. A key reason for the excellent salaries is the high productivity and efficiency of the country's economic performance.

What is included in your salary?

The salary agreed when an employment contract is signed represents the gross salary. Mandatory social security contributions are deducted from this. The net wage, which is paid out, is calculated after the employer has deducted these compulsory contributions. These contributions are paid into various social insurance systems:

• Old-age and survivors' insurance (AHV, 1st pillar of old-age provision)
• Occupational benefits insurance or pension fund (BVG, 2nd pillar of old-age provision
• Disability insurance (IV)
• Loss of earnings insurance (EO)
• Unemployment insurance (ALV)
• Insurance for non-occupational accidents

The exact amount of these social security contributions varies and depends on factors such as canton, age, salary level and level of employment. The employer also makes contributions to these social insurances. In addition to the net salary, employees are usually obliged to pay taxes and health insurance contributions.

For EU/EFTA citizens who are newly arriving in Switzerland to work here and who do not yet have a permanent residence permit (C permit, at least 10 years of residence in Switzerland), a so-called withholding tax is deducted directly from the gross salary.

What is included in the salary?

In Switzerland, you receive legally regulated additional remuneration over and above your agreed basic salary. These come into play, for example, in the case of family responsibilities or for overtime worked as well as work at unusual times such as at night or on Sundays. There are also often additional benefits that depend on your specific role and market conditions. However, these vary and are individual to each company.