How much money does a Physiotherapist make in Switzerland?
Average Yearly Salary
234,000 CHF
( 19,500 CHF monthly)
LOW
122,000
CHFAVERAGE
234,000
CHFHIGH
359,000
CHF
A person working as a Physiotherapist in Switzerland typically earns around 234,000 CHF per year. Salaries range from 122,000 CHF (lowest) to 359,000 CHF (highest).
This is the average yearly salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Physiotherapist salaries vary drastically based on experience, skills, gender, or location. Below you will find a detailed breakdown based on many different criteria.
Physiotherapist Salary Distribution in Switzerland
The median, the maximum, the minimum, and the range
Salary Range
Physiotherapist salaries in Switzerland range from 122,000 CHF per year (minimum salary) to 359,000 CHF per year (maximum salary).
Median Salary
The median salary is 225,000 CHF per year, which means that half (50%) of people working as Physiotherapist(s) are earning less than 225,000 CHF while the other half are earning more than 225,000 CHF. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Percentiles
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of Physiotherapist(s) are earning less than 156,000 CHF while 75% of them are earning more than 156,000 CHF. Also from the diagram, 75% of Physiotherapist(s) are earning less than 280,000 CHF while 25% are earning more than 280,000 CHF.
What is the difference between the median and the average salary?
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both of the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people are earning more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
13 deadly interview mistakes that can cost you the job8 exciting careers for people who like to travel40 careers that are always in demand10 salary negotiation tips everyone should know6 simple ways for anyone to earn extra income
Physiotherapist Salary Comparison by Years of Experience
How does experience and age affect your pay?
The experience level is the most important factor in determining the salary. Naturally the more years of experience the higher your wage. We broke down Physiotherapist salaries by experience level and this is what we found.
A Physiotherapist with less than two years of experience makes approximately 138,000 CHF per year.
While someone with an experience level between two and five years is expected to earn 186,000 CHF per year, 34% more than someone with less than two year's experience.
Moving forward, an experience level between five and ten years lands a salary of 241,000 CHF per year, 30% more than someone with two to five years of experience.
“ On average, a person's salary doubles their starting salary by the time they cross the 10 years* experience mark. ”
* Based on the average change in salary over time. Salary variations differ from person to person.
Additionally, Physiotherapist(s) whose expertise span anywhere between ten and fifteen years get a salary equivalent to 292,000 CHF per year, 21% more than someone with five to ten years of experience.
If the experience level is between fifteen and twenty years, then the expected wage is 319,000 CHF per year, 9% more than someone with ten to fifteen years of experience.
Lastly, employees with more than twenty years of professional experience get a salary of 336,000 CHF per year, 5% more than people with fifteen to twenty years of experience.
Physiotherapist average salary change by experience in Switzerland
| 0 - 2 Years | 138,000 CHF | |
| 2 - 5 Years | +34% | 186,000 CHF |
| 5 - 10 Years | +30% | 241,000 CHF |
| 10 - 15 Years | +21% | 292,000 CHF |
| 15 - 20 Years | +9% | 319,000 CHF |
| 20+ Years | +5% | 336,000 CHF |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Typical Salary Progress for Most Careers
11 signs that you may be terminated (Watch out for these)12 careers for people who like to work alone21 high paying jobs that don't require a college degree8 Essential CV Tips That Will Make a Huge Difference9 hobbies that can make great careers
Physiotherapist Salary Comparison By Education
How do education levels affect salaries?
Displayed below is the average salary difference between different Physiotherapist(s) who have the same experience but different education levels.
We all know that higher education equals a bigger salary, but how much more money can a degree add to your income? We broke down Physiotherapist salaries by education level in order to make a comparison.
When the education level is Bachelor's Degree, the average salary of a Physiotherapist is 179,000 CHF per year.
While someone with a Master's Degree gets a salary of 221,000 CHF per year, 24% more than someone having a Bachelor's Degree degree.
A PhD gets its holder an average salary of 354,000 CHF per year, 60% more than someone with a Master's Degree.
Physiotherapist average salary difference by education level in Switzerland
| Bachelor's Degree | 179,000 CHF | |
| Master's Degree | +24% | 221,000 CHF |
| PhD | +60% | 354,000 CHF |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Is a Master's degree or an MBA worth it? Should you pursue higher education?
A Master's degree program or any post-graduate program in Switzerland costs anywhere from 51,600 Swiss Franc(s) to 155,000 Swiss Franc(s) and lasts approximately two years. That is quite an investment.
You can't really expect any salary increases during the study period, assuming you already have a job. In most cases, a salary review is conducted once education is completed and the degree has been attained.
Many people pursue higher education as a tactic to switch into a higher paying job. The numbers seem to support the thoery. The average increase in compensation while changing jobs is approximately 10% more than the customary salary increment.
If you can afford the costs of higher education, the return on investment is definitely worth it. You should be able to recover the costs in roughly a year or so.
Typical Salary Difference by Education for Most Careers
Physiotherapist Salary Comparison By Gender
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? Male Physiotherapist employees in Switzerland earn 4% more than their female counterparts on average.
| Male | 239,000 CHF | |
| Female | -4% | 230,000 CHF |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
Salary Comparison By Gender in Switzerland for all Careers
Physiotherapist Average Annual Salary Increment Percentage in Switzerland
How much are annual salary increments in Switzerland for Physiotherapist(s)? How often do employees get salary raises?
Physiotherapist
Physiotherapist(s) in Switzerland are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 13% every 14 months. The national average annual increment for all professions combined is 9% granted to employees every 15 months.
The figures provided here are averages of numbers. Those figures should be taken as general guidelines. Salary increments will vary from person to person and depend on many factors, but your performance and contribution to the success of the organization remain the most important factors in determining how much and how often you will be granted a raise.
Switzerland / All Professions
The term 'Annual Salary Increase' usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rarely that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
How to calculate the salary increment percentage?
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 ÷ Increase Frequency
“The average salary increase in one year (12 months) in Switzerland is 7%.”
Annual Increment Rate By Industry 2022
| Banking | 3% | |
| Energy | 6% | |
| Information Technology | 9% | |
| Healthcare | 3% | |
| Travel | 6% | |
| Construction | 9% | |
| Education | 3% |
Listed above are the average annual increase rates for each industry in Switzerland for the year 2022. Companies within thriving industries tend to provide higher and more frequent raises. Exceptions do exist, but generally speaking, the situation of any company is closely related to the economic situation in the country or region. These figures tend to change frequently.
Worldwide Salary Raises: All Countries and All Jobs
Physiotherapist Bonus and Incentive Rates in Switzerland
How much and how often are bonuses being awarded?
A Physiotherapist is considered to be a high bonus-based job due to the generally limited involvement in direct revenue generation, with exceptions of course. The people who get the highest bonuses are usually somehow involved in the revenue generation cycle.
18% of surveyed staff reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while 82% said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from 6% to 8% of their annual salary.
| Received Bonus | 82% | |
| No Bonus | 18% |
Types of Bonuses Considered
Individual Performance-Based Bonuses
The most standard form of bonus where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance Bonuses
Occasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based Bonuses
Granted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year Bonuses
These types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
Bonuses Are Not Commissions!
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
What makes a position worthy of good bonuses and a high salary?
The main two types of jobs | |
| Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
“Try to work for companies where your skills can generate revenue. We can't all generate revenue and that's perfectly fine.”
Bonus Comparison by Seniority Level
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Physiotherapist Average Hourly Wage in Switzerland
110 CHF per hour
The average hourly wage (pay per hour) in Switzerland is 110 CHF. This means that the average Physiotherapist in Switzerland earns approximately 110 CHF for every worked hour.
Hourly Wage = Annual Salary ÷ ( 52 x 5 x 8 )
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fix amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
Physiotherapist VS Other Jobs
The average salary for Physiotherapist is 20% less than that of Doctor / Physician. Also, Doctor / Physician salaries are 57% more than those of Health and Medical.
Salary comparison with similar jobs
| Job Title | Average Salary |
| Advanced Nutrition Aide | 182,000 CHF |  -22% |
| Advanced Practice Provider | 175,000 CHF | -25% |
| Allergist | 233,000 CHF | -1% |
| Behavioral Health Specialist | 144,000 CHF | -39% |
| Chiropractor | 147,000 CHF | -37% |
| Clinical Psychologist | 408,000 CHF |  +74% |
| Correctional Treatment Specialist | 235,000 CHF | +0% |
| Counseling Psychologist | 307,000 CHF | +31% |
| Dermatologist | 396,000 CHF | +69% |
| Dietitian | 257,000 CHF | +10% |
| Doctor | 323,000 CHF | +38% |
| Emergency Department Physician | 288,000 CHF | +23% |
| Exercise Physiologist | 307,000 CHF | +31% |
| Forensic Pathologist | 326,000 CHF | +39% |
| General Medical Practitioner | 260,000 CHF | +11% |
| Genetic Counselor | 200,000 CHF | -15% |
| Internist | 416,000 CHF | +78% |
| Interventionist | 365,000 CHF | +56% |
| Invasive Cardiologist | 492,000 CHF | +110% |
| Mental Health Therapst | 215,000 CHF | -8% |
| Naturopathic Physician | 384,000 CHF | +64% |
| Neurologist | 372,000 CHF | +59% |
| Neurophysiology Technologist | 114,000 CHF | -51% |
| Nuclear Medicine Physician | 329,000 CHF | +40% |
| Obstetrician / Gynecologist | 348,000 CHF | +49% |
| Occupational Health Safety Specialist | 180,000 CHF | -23% |
| Ophthalmologist | 261,000 CHF | +11% |
| Optometrist | 269,000 CHF | +15% |
| Pediatrician | 310,000 CHF | +32% |
| Physical Therapist | 212,000 CHF | -10% |
| Physical Therapy Director | 247,000 CHF | +5% |
| Physician - Anesthesiology | 466,000 CHF | +99% |
| Physician - Cardiology | 456,000 CHF | +95% |
| Physician - CCU | 261,000 CHF | +11% |
| Physician - Dermatology | 372,000 CHF | +59% |
| Physician - Emergency Room | 282,000 CHF | +20% |
| Physician - Endocrinology | 364,000 CHF | +55% |
| Physician - Family Practice | 256,000 CHF | +9% |
| Physician - Gastroenterology | 351,000 CHF | +50% |
| Physician - Generalist | 284,000 CHF | +21% |
| Physician - Geriatrics | 247,000 CHF | +5% |
| Physician - Hematology / Oncology | 349,000 CHF | +49% |
| Physician - Immunology / Allergy | 369,000 CHF | +57% |
| Physician - Infectious Disease | 318,000 CHF | +36% |
| Physician - Internal Medicine | 392,000 CHF | +67% |
| Physician - Maternal / Fetal Medicine | 317,000 CHF | +35% |
| Physician - Nephrology | 392,000 CHF | +67% |
| Physician - Neurology | 396,000 CHF | +69% |
| Physician - Nuclear Medicine | 339,000 CHF | +45% |
| Physician - Obstetrics / Gynecology | 363,000 CHF | +55% |
| Physician - Occupational Medicine | 283,000 CHF | +21% |
| Physician - Ophthalmology | 243,000 CHF | +4% |
| Physician - Otolaryngology | 230,000 CHF | -2% |
| Physician - Pain Medicine | 217,000 CHF | -7% |
| Physician - Pathology | 279,000 CHF | +19% |
| Physician - Pediatric Cardiology | 348,000 CHF | +49% |
| Physician - Pediatric Neonatology | 336,000 CHF | +43% |
| Physician - Pediatrics | 307,000 CHF | +31% |
| Physician - Physiatry | 338,000 CHF | +44% |
| Physician - Podiatry | 313,000 CHF | +34% |
| Physician - Pulmonary Medicine | 250,000 CHF | +7% |
| Physician - Radiation Therapy | 374,000 CHF | +60% |
| Physician - Radiology | 378,000 CHF | +61% |
| Physician - Rheumatology | 337,000 CHF | +44% |
| Physician - Sports Medicine | 337,000 CHF | +44% |
| Physician - Urology | 441,000 CHF | +88% |
| Physician Assistant | 208,000 CHF | -11% |
| Physiotherapist | 234,000 CHF | -0% |
| Podiatrist | 233,000 CHF | -1% |
| Preventive Medicine Physician | 301,000 CHF | +28% |
| Psychiatrist | 319,000 CHF | +36% |
| Psychololgist | 333,000 CHF | +42% |
| Psychometrician | 288,000 CHF | +23% |
| Radiologist | 338,000 CHF | +44% |
| Registered Respiratory Therapist | 202,000 CHF | -14% |
| Skin Care Specialist | 182,000 CHF | -22% |
| Urologist | 450,000 CHF | +92% |
| Vision Rehabilitation Therapist | 212,000 CHF | -10% |
Salary Comparison By City
| City | Average Salary |
| Basel | 236,000 CHF |
| Bern | 230,000 CHF |
| Biel | 207,000 CHF |
| Geneve | 261,000 CHF |
| Lausanne | 239,000 CHF |
| Lugano | 208,000 CHF |
| Luzern | 236,000 CHF |
| St. Gallen | 228,000 CHF |
| Winterthur | 233,000 CHF |
| Zurich | 262,000 CHF |
Government vs Private Sector Salary Comparison
Where can you get paid more, working for a private company or for the government? Public sector employees in Switzerland earn 4% more than their private sector counterparts on average across all sectors.
| Private Sector | 121,000 CHF | |
| Public Sector | +4% | 126,000 CHF |
Percentage increase and decrease are relative to the previous value
All Jobs»Health and Medical»Doctor / Physician»Physiotherapist
Browse SalariesSalary Increase Letters
Best Paying Jobs