Living and working in Nidwalden
Jobs · January 28, 2026 · 1 min read
Nidwalden (Stans), Obwalden's neighbour canton, hosts Pilatus Aircraft (HQ) and offers exceptional alpine living. 43,000 inhabitants, advantageous taxation, Zurich/Lucerne access.
The canton
- Population: 43,000
- Capital: Stans
- Median salary: CHF 7,000/month
- Taxation: very soft
Economy
- Pilatus Aircraft (HQ): 2,500 employees, world leader PC-12 and PC-21 planes
- Precision industry: RUAG Aviation, MedTech
- Private banking: family offices
- Tourism: Stanserhorn, Bürgenstock
Housing
- 3.5 rooms: CHF 1,600-2,300/month
- Purchase: CHF 900K-1.8M
- Restricted market but accessible vs Schwyz
Transport
- Lucerne 15 min train
- Zurich 1h
- Buochs airport: private aviation
Practical life
- Bürgenstock Resort: alpine palace
- Lake Lucerne: swimming, sailing
- Engelberg skiing: 30 min
- Family community
Tips
- German required
- Aviation/aerospace engineers: Pilatus recruits continuously
- Excellent quality-of-life / urban access compromise
