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Understanding Software Engineer Salaries in Zurich

Aug 2, 2024

Software Engineer Salaries in Zurich

Introduction

  • Claudia and Indian, a couple from Germany and Spain, based in Zurich, Switzerland.
  • Discussing the salaries of software engineers in Zurich.
  • Previous video asked people on the streets about their earnings but didn't find any software engineers.
  • Channel focuses on life in Zurich including cost of living and earnings.

Salary Overview

  • Average Salary: 110,000 CHF per year for software engineers in Zurich.
  • Source: Swissdefjobs.ch

Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

  • Junior Software Engineers (0-2 years of experience):

    • Average: 70,000 - 80,000 CHF.
    • Can go up to 100,000 CHF in rare cases.

  • Intermediate Software Engineers (3-7 years of experience):

    • Expected: 80,000 - 130,000 CHF.

  • Senior Software Engineers:

    • Expected: 100,000 CHF minimum.
    • Median: 115,000 CHF.

Salary Comparison by Company

  • Larger tech companies like Google and Microsoft generally offer higher salaries.
  • Google:
    • Software Engineer: 153,000 - 227,000 CHF.
    • Senior Software Engineer: 230,000 - 318,000 CHF.

Job Searching in Switzerland

  • Recommended job platforms:
    • swissdefjobs.ch
    • jobs.ch
    • LinkedIn
  • Salary negotiations typically occur in the first interview.

Competitiveness in the Job Market

  • High competition for software engineering jobs; experience is often required.
  • Language Requirements:
    • English: Essential.
    • German: Not required but beneficial for tech jobs.

Working in Switzerland as a Non-EU Citizen

  • Easier for EU citizens to obtain working visas.
  • Non-EU applicants face more competition and challenges.

Salary After Tax Calculation

  • Gross Salary: 100,000 CHF per year
    • Monthly: 8,333.35 CHF (before tax).

Taxes to Consider

  1. AHV Tax (Old Age and Survivors Insurance): 5.3%

    • Monthly: 441.65 CHF

  2. ALV Tax (Unemployment Insurance):

    • Monthly: Approx. 250 CHF

  3. BGV Pillar (Second Pillar Pension):

    • Applicable rate varies by age, about 7%.
    • For ages 25-34: 3% paid by the employee.
    • Monthly: 218.75 CHF

  4. Withholding Tax: 9.6% for salaries under 120,000 CHF.

    • Monthly: 800 CHF

Final Monthly Salary

  • After all deductions, the monthly take-home salary is approximately: 6,781.30 CHF.

Conclusion

  • Encouragement to like and subscribe to the channel.
  • Interest in feedback on video format and requests for other job-related salary discussions.

Full transcript