Overview
Swiss pharmacists (federal title) earn between CHF 110,000 and 200,000 gross/year depending on sector and seniority. Community pharmacy shortage and chain consolidation (Amavita, Sun Store, Coop Vitality) push salaries up.
Community pharmacy
- Pharmacist assistant (post-diploma): CHF 95,000–115,000
- FPH pharmacist (federal title after internship): CHF 115,000–140,000
- Deputy pharmacist: CHF 130,000–155,000
- Responsible / branch pharmacist: CHF 150,000–200,000
- Pharmacy owner: CHF 180,000–350,000+ net (by turnover and location)
Hospital pharmacy
- Hospital pharmacist assistant: CHF 100,000–120,000
- FPH hospital pharmacist: CHF 125,000–160,000
- Deputy chief: CHF 160,000–200,000
- Chief hospital pharmacist: CHF 200,000–280,000+
Pharma industry (Roche, Novartis, Lonza, Vifor, Galenica)
- Junior R&D / formulation: CHF 95,000–115,000
- Experienced (3–7 yrs): CHF 115,000–150,000
- Senior scientist / project manager: CHF 150,000–190,000
- Manager / Head of department: CHF 180,000–260,000+ bonus
- Regulatory affairs: median +10% on R&D profiles
- Quality / pharma production: standard median
Pharmacy assistant (3-year CFC)
- CFC entry-level: CHF 58,000–65,000
- CFC experienced: CHF 65,000–75,000
- Senior / team lead: CHF 75,000–90,000
By canton (community median)
- Geneva, Vaud: CHF 130,000–150,000
- Zurich: CHF 125,000–145,000
- Basel: CHF 130,000–150,000
- Ticino: CHF 100,000–120,000
- Rural areas: –5–10%
Conditions
- 13th month
- 4–5 weeks holiday
- On-call (duty pharmacy): lump-sum allowance
- Mandatory continuing education (PharmaSuisse)
- Paid post-diploma internship (~CHF 80,000)
Career tips
- The FPH diploma opens responsible positions (+CHF 20,000–40,000)
- Specialisations: clinical pharmacy, oncology, geriatrics, antimicrobial
- Industry pays best for experienced profiles; community offers independence and possible ownership
- Basel is the European pharma hub: maximum industry opportunities