- The minimum wage
The Swiss minimum wage, also known as the “Swiss smic”, has been the subject of debate for many years.
In Switzerland, there are several minimum wages. Indeed, these can be provided for by the cantons or by certain sectors in particular through collective labour agreements (CLA). However, it should be noted that only a few cantons have a minimum wage. These are the cantons of Geneva, Neuchâtel, Jura, Ticino and Basel-City. Moreover, this amount varies from one canton to another. For example, the minimum wage is CHF 23 per hour in the canton of Geneva and CHF 21 per hour in the canton of Basel-Stadt. In the canton of Neuchâtel and the canton of Jura, the minimum wage is CHF 20 per hour. Finally, the canton of Ticino has a minimum wage of CHF 19 per hour. It should also be noted that the minimum wage is revalued each year according to the consumer price index (CPI).
Outside these cantons, there is no minimum wage subject to proposals in the CLAs, which may provide for minimum wages in specific sectors.
- The average wage
The Swiss Federal Statistical Office publishes the average Swiss salary every year. In 2020, the average Swiss salary was CHF 6,665 gross per month for a full-time employee in all sectors.
In addition, average salaries in Switzerland vary from canton to canton. The canton of Zurich as well as the cantons of Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft and Aargau are clearly better off. The canton of Ticino and the cantons in the eastern part of Switzerland are at a disadvantage.