State of the healthcare sector
- Estimated shortage: 30,000 missing positions by 2030 in Switzerland
- University hospitals: CHUV (Vaud), HUG (Geneva), Inselspital (Bern), USZ (Zurich), Insel Gruppe
- Starting graduate nurse salary: CHF 75,000-85,000/year
- Nursing homes and private facilities: recruit continuously, retention bonuses
- Conditions: recent improvement (3-4% average increase 2024-2026)
Leading agencies
OK Job Santé — Swiss healthcare pure player, present in all French-speaking cantons. Specialised in nurses, care assistants, ASE, ASSC.
Adecco Medical — healthcare branch of the Adecco group. National coverage, large volumes of temp missions.
Permasoins — Romandy specialised agency, day, night, weekend missions. Good reputation for temp conditions.
Spring Medical (Adecco group) — permanent healthcare placement, specialist and management level.
Curaprox / Servicecare — niche-specialised agencies (gerontology, home care, nursing homes).
ISP Group — doctors and specialised medical profiles (surgery, anaesthesia, radiology).
Profiles and average salaries
- CFC care assistant: CHF 4,500-5,800/month
- HES graduate nurse: CHF 6,200-7,800/month (junior to senior)
- Specialist nurse (anaesthesia, intensive care): CHF 7,500-9,500/month
- Midwife: CHF 6,800-8,500/month
- Physiotherapist: CHF 6,200-8,000/month
- Occupational therapist: CHF 6,000-7,800/month
- Resident doctor: CHF 8,500-11,000/month
- Specialist doctor: CHF 14,000-25,000/month (depending on specialty and structure)
- Retail pharmacist: CHF 7,500-10,500/month
Duty and weekend bonuses add 15-30% to base salary.
Diploma recognition
For foreign profiles, a key step:
- Recognition by SRC (Swiss Red Cross) or MEBEKO (doctors)
- Timeline: 3 to 12 months depending on country of origin and profession
- Cost: CHF 500 to 1,500
- Language exams sometimes required (minimum B2 in French or German)
Some agencies (notably OK Job and Permasoins) provide free support in this process.
Tips for collaborating well
- Check CLA conditions (applicable healthcare collective agreement)
- Ask about staff/patient ratio in proposed structures
- Favour long missions (3-6 months) to stabilise income and network
- Take advantage of funded training: most hospitals and large structures fund CAS, DAS, MAS
- Negotiate transport and accommodation allowances if you live far from the mission site
Mistakes to avoid
- Accepting a mission without visiting the service first: professional burnout guaranteed in some units
- Neglecting BVG pension: the 2nd pillar counts particularly when missions chain together
- Systematically refusing less popular areas (Jura, Valais): opportunities often better than in Zurich/Geneva
- Underestimating the language barrier: maximum B1 blocks professional progression
Swiss healthcare is a sector where the human dimension prevails. Choose an agency with consultants who themselves have care experience.
