The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has revealed which cities in Switzerland offer their residents the highest salaries. The government noted that average wages in the top city are more than 25.000 francs a year higher than those in the worst-paid city.

Which Swiss cities offer the best salaries?

According to the study, which analysed working conditions in the 10 largest Swiss cities and their agglomerations, people in Zurich are the highest-paid of all urban residents. They found that the average income of Zurich residents - incorporating both full and part-time workers, for the purposes of calculating federal income tax - was 70.394 Swiss francs a year.

Zurich was followed on the list by Basel (66.923 francs a year), with Lugano coming a surprise third (62.339 francs) ahead of Geneva (60.989). However, it must be noted that Geneva jumps to second place behind Zurich if wages in their respective cantons are considered.

Zurich and Basel’s high scores are made all the more impressive by the number of people who work part-time - who naturally bring average wages down. 34,7 percent of Baselers work part-time, compared to 29,2 percent of those in Zurich. However, both were behind the de-facto capital Bern, where four in 10 employees in the city work less than 40 hours a week. 

25.000-Swiss franc salary difference between Zurich and Biel

The higher echelons are in massive contrast to Biel / Bienne, which offers the lowest wages of the 10 largest cities. There, the average wage was recorded at 44.973 francs a year, more than 25.000 francs less than Zurich.

Part of this is likely to do with the businesses that call Biel / Bienne home, as it remains the most industrial of the 10 largest cities in Switzerland. 23,5 percent of the city’s workforce still works in industry and construction, compared to just 5,2 percent in Zurich and 5,5 percent in Geneva. Biel / Bienne also has the highest rate of people receiving some form of social security at 9,9 percent of the population.

By contrast, 94,9 percent of Zurich’s workforce are employed in tertiary services, ranging from healthcare and insurance to banking. Just 4,1 percent of residents of the Swiss metropolis receive some form of social assistance.

Zurich: High salaries and expensive housing

However, the higher wages offered in places like Zurich, Basel and Geneva need to be weighted with the fact that living costs are also higher. In the same study, the FSO noted that Zurich, Geneva and Lausanne have the most expensive rental apartments of the largest Swiss cities.

In Zurich, prospective residents should expect to pay 22 francs per metre per month for a flat in the city, compared to 21 francs in Geneva and 19 francs in Lausanne and Basel. Biel, St. Gallen and Lugano were found to have the cheapest homes at 15 francs per square metre per month.

10 largest Swiss cities ranked by average salaries

In all, here are the 10 largest cities in Switzerland, ranked by average wages (in Swiss francs):

1. Zurich (70.394)
2. Basel (66.923)
3. Lugano (62.339)
4. Geneva (60.989)
5. Lucerne (59.827)
6. Winterthur (57.253)
7. Bern (57.064)
8. Lausanne (54.397)
9. St. Gallen (53.351)
10. Biel / Bienne (44.973)

For more information, and to explore the rest of the data, check out the FSO website.