The construction market
- Headcount: 320,000 direct jobs in construction
- Revenue: CHF 22 billion/year
- Growth: +3% per year, driven by energy renovation
- Concentration: German-speaking Switzerland (60%), Romandy (25%), Ticino (15%)
- Major players: Implenia, Marti, Frutiger, HRS Real Estate
Leading agencies
Adecco Construction — Adecco group construction branch. Good volumes for blue-collar and technical profiles.
Manpower Construction — national coverage, particularly strong in French-speaking Switzerland.
Kelly Construction — permanent placement, focus on technical profiles (site managers, foremen).
Coopers Group Construction — Romandy boutique, structural and civil engineering niches.
Trenkwalder — family agency, strong German-speaking presence in construction.
Interiman BTP — pure Swiss, generalist, large seasonal volumes.
Profiles and salaries
- Mason helper / labourer: CHF 4,500-5,500/month
- CFC mason: CHF 5,500-7,200/month
- Carpenter / joiner: CHF 5,800-7,800/month
- CFC electrician: CHF 5,800-7,800/month
- Plumber / heating technician: CHF 5,800-7,800/month
- Tiler / plasterer: CHF 5,200-6,800/month
- Team leader: CHF 6,800-9,000/month
- Site foreman: CHF 8,000-11,000/month
- Site manager: CHF 10,000-14,000/month
- Civil engineer: CHF 95-130K/year
- HES/EPFL architect: CHF 90-140K/year
Construction is governed by the Structural Work CLA or Finishing CLA, which impose precise minimums by canton.
High-demand specialities
The energy transition creates spikes:
- Solar installers: acute shortage, salaries +15% over 5 years
- Heat pump heating specialists: demand explosion
- Thermal insulation specialists: highly sought
- Home automation electricians: +20% vs standard electrician
- Surveyors and topographers: major rail projects
Trilingual profiles (FR/DE/IT) are rare and can command a 20% premium.
Tips for collaborating well
- CFC or recognised foreign equivalent essential for most qualified roles
- B/C permit or EU/EFTA nationality: virtually the entire market opens
- Mention your reference sites: type of work, size, duration
- Prepare the site visit: 30 minutes on site to validate atmosphere and safety
- Discuss meals and travel: allowances often negotiable
Mistakes to avoid
- Accepting without helmet, shoes, gloves: safety equipment is the employer's responsibility
- Underestimating seasonality: peak March-November, trough December-February
- Systematically refusing remote sites (mountains): allowances often excellent
- Confusing public and private markets: distinct processes, requirements, and salaries
Swiss construction offers excellent returns for qualified profiles. It is a sector open to self-employment after a few years of experience.
