Swiss CEO Salaries 2024: How Much Do They Earn?

At the end of the year, employee discussions, which also include wage negotiations, are underway in many companies. But many people can only dream of the wages in banks.

The financial sector continues to hold the top position in Switzerland when it comes to executive compensation, as the salary overview from human resources consulting firm Michael Page shows. A head of private banking will receive half a million francs in 2026 (see table below).

Demand is increasing, particularly in the private equity sector. Companies in this area invest in companies that are not listed on the stock exchange. They buy companies that appear to be undervalued or in trouble and want to make them successful again, often through austerity measures.

According to Michael Page, the Swiss private equity market in the infrastructure sector is growing rapidly – ​​driven by strong demand for assets in the energy sector.

Wages are stagnating almost everywhere

However, the salaries of managers in most other industries are stagnating. The proportion of job seekers who expect a higher salary is also falling – from 74 percent at the beginning of the year to just 59 percent, as the analysis of over 20,000 job interviews shows.

63 percent of Swiss employees were unsuccessful in their salary negotiations last year. After all: 60 percent of employees in Switzerland are satisfied with their current salary, as the survey among 972 skilled workers showed. Only nine percent are very dissatisfied.

Another finding: Temporary and interim roles are becoming more important. Over half of these engagements ultimately turn into permanent positions. For the personnel consulting firm, this is a sign that personnel decisions have become more cautious.