According to a survey by the KOF Economic Institute, companies in Switzerland expect an average nominal wage increase of 1.3% in 2026.
With an expected inflation rate of 0.5%, this would result in a real wage increase (that is, wages adjusted for inflation) of 0.8%.
However, actual wage increases will vary from one sector to another – as is usually the case, The Local writes, reports albinfo.ch.
Where will the highest increases be?
Wages will increase most significantly in the construction industry – by about 1.7 percent. This is due to a shortage of qualified workers in this sector, as well as a strong union representing these workers.
Employees in the hospitality, pharmaceutical and financial sectors can also expect above-average salary increases.
However, the outlook is less positive in retail, wholesale and manufacturing – where growth is likely to be barely more than 1 percent.
On the other hand, export sectors such as watchmaking and mechanical engineering are particularly feeling the impact of the 39 percent tariffs on exports destined for the US, so the wage situation there is not yet clear.
Bonuses versus salary increases
KOF also emphasized that not all employees benefit equally from wage increases.
This is because Swiss companies are increasingly opting for individual bonuses instead of salary increases at all levels.
And there is another development on the salary front…
The umbrella association of employees, Travailsuisse, wants all workers in Switzerland to receive a 2% pay increase in 2026 to cover rising living costs and compensate for the salary shortfalls of recent years.
In a press release published on August 19, Travailsuisse argues that this increase is long overdue because real wages had fallen between 2021 and 2023 “to an extent unprecedented in the post-war period.”
Additionally, recurring costs like health insurance premiums increased between 5.4 and 8.1% between 2023 and 2025, and another 4% increase is expected next year.
The aim of the higher wages is to preserve the purchasing power of Swiss employees, the organization said.
Source – https://www.gazetaexpress.com/en/Which-jobs-in-Switzerland-will-see-salary-increases-in-2026/