The Vaud market in numbers
- Population: 825,000 inhabitants (canton), 140,000 (Lausanne)
- Jobs: 420,000 in the canton
- Median salary: CHF 7,200/month
- Unemployment rate: 3.2%
- English: fluent at EPFL, Nestlé, multinationals
Growing sectors
- Tech and innovation: EPFL, start-up ecosystem (Logitech, Nexthink, Beekeeper), Innosuisse accelerators
- Food industry: Nestlé (Vevey HQ), Bobst (machinery), Constellium
- Pharma and MedTech: Galderma, Debiopharm, Medartis, Sonova (sensors)
- Tobacco: Philip Morris (Lausanne), Japan Tobacco
- Health: CHUV (4,000 jobs), Clinique de la Source, Genolier
- Tourism and hospitality: Vaud Riviera (Montreux, Vevey), Alps (Villars, Leysin)
Leading agencies in Lausanne and Vaud
Michael Page Lausanne — permanent executive placement, all sectors.
Robert Walters Lausanne — focus on tech (EPFL) and pharma industry.
Hays Lausanne — generalist, good volume IT and finance.
Robert Half Lausanne — accounting, controlling, audit.
Coopers Group Lausanne — Romandy boutique, watchmaking and tech.
Permasoins Lausanne — healthcare, CHUV and private clinics.
Hotelis Lausanne — Riviera and alpine hospitality.
Akkodis Lausanne — EPFL engineering and industry.
Adecco Lausanne — generalist temp, multiple branches.
Average salaries specific to Vaud
- Junior executive: CHF 75-90K
- Confirmed executive: CHF 105-150K
- Senior management: CHF 170-280K + bonus
- EPFL graduate engineer: CHF 95-130K (Logitech, Nestlé)
- CHUV resident doctor: CHF 100-130K
- Pharma Galderma / Debiopharm: CHF 110-160K
Cost of living is 15-20% lower than Geneva, making Vaud attractive for families.
Vaud specifics
- Limited bilingualism: French dominant, English fluent in tech and international
- French border: fewer cross-border workers than Geneva, but Évian and Thonon accessible
- Internal mobility: Lausanne-Geneva in 35 min, Lausanne-Bern in 1h05
- EPFL ecosystem: very active alumni, start-up hub
- Lake Geneva area: Lausanne, Vevey, Montreux — recognised quality of life
Tips to position yourself well
- If targeting EPFL or Nestlé, polish your quantified technical profile
- Network at EPFL Alumni, Vaud++, Innovaud events
- Local Romandy agencies (Coopers Group, Permasoins) have better regional networks
- For hybrid Lausanne-Geneva roles, mention your geographic flexibility
- Standard French is expected (no tolerance for errors in executive CVs)
