Salary of a physiotherapist in Switzerland
A physiotherapist in Switzerland earns an average of around CHF 6,000 gross and approximately CHF 4,900 net per month.
After fixed costs, there is often CHF 1,500 to CHF 2,000 left to save, especially when the region, choice of residence and work percentage are consciously coordinated.
Salary of a physiotherapist in Switzerland
A physiotherapist in Switzerland often earns around 6,000 CHF gross and approximately 4,900 CHF net per month in practice. With typical expenses, it is common to have 1,500 to 2,000 CHF left to save. Many physiotherapists work four to four and a half days per week. The financial picture mainly makes sense when salary, region and housing choices are considered together.
This page shows what the average salary of physiotherapists in Switzerland looks like in practice. Using a concrete calculation example, it becomes clear what is often achievable and which choices make the difference.
Average salary in practice
For many physiotherapists, the starting salary in Switzerland is around:
- ± 5,500 CHF gross per month
- Many contracts include a 13th salary payment
- When divided over 12 months:
± 6,000 CHF gross per month
This salary reflects an entry position within the Swiss healthcare system. Growth in language skills, independence and responsibility often translates into a higher income in practice.
Net income as a starting point
A commonly used practical estimate:
- Deductions for tax, social insurance and pension:
± 1,100 CHF per month with a range of 800 to 1,400 CHF, depending on region and situation - Net income in this example:
± 4,900 CHF per month
This is a calculation basis, not a fixed outcome.
Common expenses
The following amounts are commonly used as a reference by many physiotherapists:
- Health insurance: ± 350 CHF
- Housing: ± 1,500 CHF
- Groceries: ± 600 CHF
- Leisure: ± 500 CHF
Housing is the largest variable. Regions with lower taxes often have higher rent, and vice versa. Savings capacity is determined by the combination of taxes and rent, not by one of them individually.
How much is left to save?
Based on the amounts above, a commonly used calculation example results in:
- ± 1,900 CHF savings per month
In practice, this is often between 1,500 and 2,000 CHF, especially when housing choices are made consciously.
Many physiotherapists start in shared accommodation. This lowers fixed costs and makes the start more manageable.
Working week and workload
The standard working week is usually around 42 to 42.5 hours.
In practice, many physiotherapists work 80 to 90 percent, which equals four to four and a half days per week.
- fewer working days lead to lower income
- fixed costs largely remain the same
The right balance therefore is not found in a fixed percentage, but in a work structure that matches your goals and your phase of life.
Experience from practice
Laurine started in the Biel/Bienne region and consciously chose 80 percent, working 4 days. Not to maximise income, but to leave room for language and adaptation.
I work eighty percent here and still have enough left. That made it easier to settle in and focus on my work.
Laurine, physiotherapist in Biel/Bienne
When the financial picture works
The overall picture often works out well when:
- salary and expenses are calculated together
- the region is chosen consciously
- housing and workload are aligned
Adjustments are usually necessary when only the gross salary is considered or housing costs are underestimated.
PhysioMatch can assess this in advance by comparing region, workload and housing choices side by side.
Finally
What a physiotherapist earns in Switzerland only gains meaning when salary, expenses and workload are viewed together. Within that overall picture, it becomes clear what is financially achievable and which choices fit.
Anyone who wants to see how this works out per region and position can view the current vacancies. In a conversation, salary, expenses and working models are translated into what is realistic in practice.
Salary of a physiotherapist in Switzerland
A physiotherapist in Switzerland often earns around 6,000 CHF gross and approximately 4,900 CHF net per month in practice. With typical expenses, it is common to have 1,500 to 2,000 CHF left to save. Many physiotherapists work four to four and a half days per week. The financial picture mainly makes sense when salary, region and housing choices are considered together.
This page shows what the average salary of physiotherapists in Switzerland looks like in practice. Using a concrete calculation example, it becomes clear what is often achievable and which choices make the difference.
Average salary in practice
For many physiotherapists, the starting salary in Switzerland is around:
- ± 5,500 CHF gross per month
- Many contracts include a 13th salary payment
- When divided over 12 months:
± 6,000 CHF gross per month
This salary reflects an entry position within the Swiss healthcare system. Growth in language skills, independence and responsibility often translates into a higher income in practice.
Net income as a starting point
A commonly used practical estimate:
- Deductions for tax, social insurance and pension:
± 1,100 CHF per month with a range of 800 to 1,400 CHF, depending on region and situation - Net income in this example:
± 4,900 CHF per month
This is a calculation basis, not a fixed outcome.
Common expenses
The following amounts are commonly used as a reference by many physiotherapists:
- Health insurance: ± 350 CHF
- Housing: ± 1,500 CHF
- Groceries: ± 600 CHF
- Leisure: ± 500 CHF
Housing is the largest variable. Regions with lower taxes often have higher rent, and vice versa. Savings capacity is determined by the combination of taxes and rent, not by one of them individually.
How much is left to save?
Based on the amounts above, a commonly used calculation example results in:
- ± 1,900 CHF savings per month
In practice, this is often between 1,500 and 2,000 CHF, especially when housing choices are made consciously.
Many physiotherapists start in shared accommodation. This lowers fixed costs and makes the start more manageable.
Working week and workload
The standard working week is usually around 42 to 42.5 hours.
In practice, many physiotherapists work 80 to 90 percent, which equals four to four and a half days per week.
- fewer working days lead to lower income
- fixed costs largely remain the same
The right balance therefore is not found in a fixed percentage, but in a work structure that matches your goals and your phase of life.
Experience from practice
Laurine started in the Biel/Bienne region and consciously chose 80 percent, working 4 days. Not to maximise income, but to leave room for language and adaptation.
I work eighty percent here and still have enough left. That made it easier to settle in and focus on my work.
Laurine, physiotherapist in Biel/Bienne
When the financial picture works
The overall picture often works out well when:
- salary and expenses are calculated together
- the region is chosen consciously
- housing and workload are aligned
Adjustments are usually necessary when only the gross salary is considered or housing costs are underestimated.
PhysioMatch can assess this in advance by comparing region, workload and housing choices side by side.
Finally
What a physiotherapist earns in Switzerland only gains meaning when salary, expenses and workload are viewed together. Within that overall picture, it becomes clear what is financially achievable and which choices fit.
Anyone who wants to see how this works out per region and position can view the current vacancies. In a conversation, salary, expenses and working models are translated into what is realistic in practice.
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