My Salary & Expenses as a Software Engineer in Switzerland

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Clarification: Some have already pointed out to me that I made a mistake in my expression regarding taxes. I referred to the point of tax exemption under 100k CHF concerning the value-added tax(VAT) in Switzerland, NOT the income tax. This is obviously a big difference, and my statement in the video is accordingly incorrect. I apologize for any confusion this has caused and appreciate your understanding as I correct this error. Thanks to everyone pointing that error out :)

[@FERNANDOSchmeiske]

That is a very interesting and clarifying content, provides a great overview of the financial scenario to work and live in Switzerland. Thank you for sharing, Richard.

[@sreylethtimmer6540]

Thank you for breaking this down and for your transparency. It's very helpful to know how much you earn and what you need to pay in income taxes. My husband and I are Senior Software Engineers in California, USA. We earn more, but we also pay higher taxes. We visited Switzerland in 2021 and I felt a deep connection with the country. It's now my goal to live in Switzerland one day! You're doing great for your age-keep up the good work. Happy for you!

[@sreylethtimmer6540]

​@@gourabsarker9552 Our combined base salary is around $250k. We live in Southern California, where the cost of living is quite high. Our earnings provide us with just enough to have a comfortable lifestyle.

[@aprodutube]

If they are Sr software engineers in Silicon Valley then they probably have a combined income of $600k-800k, perhaps up to $1 million depending on the stock options. If they are in the Los Angeles or San Diego area then somewhere in the combined income range of $400k-$600k.

[@qushu]

Thanks, that was helpful information. I am planning to move to Switzerland and now can orient myself better.

[@X.C.11]

It's very impressive that you have managed to mantain 3 such profitable income streams. Inspiring.

[@Your_Ariyan_0.1]

Dream job + dream country ❤

[@tortyr666]

I've just found your channel, that's exactly what I needed! I'm gonna binge watch it! My I ask you 2 questions? 1) Do Switzerland give a chance to entry level positions? 2) I'm focusing on QA/Software Testing, do you feel it's common over there? I'm almost in the process of job applications, a couple of months and I'll apply, but I fear they really ask for qualified people, like min 3y of experience. I'm French and wish to apply in Geneva. In Zurich and German speaking zones are really thriving with IT jobs compared to the French speaking zones, and in the software testing they unfortunately ask you to speak German fluently. Thank you for your attention

[@RichardStrittmatter]

German is a huge plus in Switzerland. Especially in the German speaking parts of course. But there are company’s that don’t require any German knowledge. Also the job market is definitely looking for entry level positions. Don’t let your fear keep you from applying A LOT. Just apply for positions you think you are capable of filling and just wait for the companies to respond.

[@tortyr666]

@@RichardStrittmatter you give me so much hope as an entry thank you very much. I've started learning Ios dev for 8 months but switched to QA to offer me better chances as I found Ios dev difficult. But if I manage to put my app on the market place maybe that could count as job experience, as a project though. I've documented everything on github. Then some utest experience for qa experience will possibly help.

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Always apply with everything you’ve got. You might have experience that’s valuable for a company which is not even in the job description. So keep a clean and organized GitHub profile 👍🏻

[@tortyr666]

@@RichardStrittmatter brilliant thank you.

[@enfordert]

Wow, I am surprised ho this video doesn't have thousands of views. It would be interesting if you made a video about getting a job in Switzerland its main pluses how hard it is and all that kind of stuff

[@marvinl7450]

Bist du dir mit den "keine Einkommenssteuer" für Nebengewerbe unter 100k sicher? Weißt du zufällig wie die Regelung heißt? Ich glaube, dass die 100k Grenze auf die "Mehrwertsteuer" aka. VAT bezogen ist. Einkünfte aus Nebengewerbe wird meines Wissens nach wie ein Haupteinkommen (vom Job) besteuert, oder?

[@performkaizen]

Die 100k Aussage ist tatsächlich nur die Grenze für die Mehrwertsteuer. Sein Nebenerwerb ist nicht steuerfrei. Würde mir einen Treuhänder zulegen bevor die Behörden dieses Video sehen ist nämlich 100% Steuerhinterziehung was du seit dem 18. Lebensjahr machst.

[@PizzaRobin]

In der Schweiz sind die Steuergesetze bezüglich Nebengewerbseinkünfte etwas komplex und variieren je nach Kanton. Leider ist es nicht korrekt, dass man als Schweizer Bürger bis 100.000 Franken pro Jahr auf Nebengewerbseinkünfte keine Steuern zahlen muss. Die Einkünfte aus einem Nebengewerbe werden grundsätzlich zu Ihrem regulären Einkommen hinzugezählt und entsprechend der progressiven Steuersätze besteuert. Es gibt keine allgemeine Steuerbefreiung für Einkünfte bis zu 100.000 Franken pro Jahr aus einem Nebengewerbe. Allerdings können bestimmte Abzüge und Freibeträge je nach Kanton und persönlicher Situation angewendet werden, die die Steuerlast reduzieren können. Es ist immer ratsam, die spezifischen Steuerregelungen in Ihrem Kanton zu prüfen oder einen Steuerberater zu konsultieren, um genaue und individuelle Informationen zu erhalten.

[@marvinl7450]

@@PizzaRobin Danke ChatGPT♥️

[@PizzaRobin]

@@marvinl7450 😊 It brings me immense joy to serve you. How can I assist you today?

[@zahrouuu]

I’m studying CS and I’m confused what should I specialize in to be software engineer

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Really depends on what kind of apps you prefer?

[@zahrouuu]

@@RichardStrittmatter like amazon, linkedin,netflix ..etc

[@tupapa7642]

Thanks Richard ur video help me a lot !

[@culartravel]

I have some questions: How's the situation in Switzerland regarding freelancers getting hired temporarily? For example 3-6 month or up to 1 year contracts. Any idea what the average hourly rate is for a senior dev? Such situation requires registering a company and work as that company. Is it possible to get citizenship through that way? I'm a EU citizen now.

[@IdeaStealer]

Do you have to learn french or german to get the job? or you wrok with english only?

[@keepitraw1]

English is fine, learning German or french helps you a lot at least on b1

[@ThePaja12]

I would say for a decent job you must speak either French or German plus English.

[@releon5696]

As a future software developer, I'll take this video as an inspiration to work in switzerland.

[@Hasbully69]

thanks for the video❤

[@nehurane]

Good 👍 info. Thanks for sharing

[@Viafro612]

I am junior dev from south France and i am looking for an entry level job in switzerland. Vive la Suisse 🇨🇭, j'arrive bientôt 😊

[@INVESTEA]

Housing representing 22% of your salary is actually really good 👍

[@mohammednasr7012]

Good luck bro🌹

[@albertorv5945]

Hello and thank you for your informative video! Could you clarify on the tax of your side business, or point me to where I could read more about it. Basically do you pay any tax at all on that income or does it go straight into your pocket? I am a doctor thinking of opening a part time practice (psychiatry) and it seems crazy good to be able to pocket that income together with the monthly salary from the hospital. Cheers!

[@blancroxy1397]

You forgot one very important expense: taxes on your income. In your situation, this represents about 19% of your salary. The information you've given about taxes isn't correct at all . Additional income is also subject to tax. I advise you to report it immediately, because the longer you wait, the more you'll have to pay (interest on late payments is very high).

[@marcelal.8688]

Is there a place on Earth where a software eng can't live without worrying about costs of living? :D Of course taking into acount single life in a small apartment. On the other hand - day care for only one child costs ca. 3000Fr a month in Zurich (plus you have to wait months/years for a place there). Bigger apartment is 3.5-4k etc I would say for a single person or couple without kids, Zurich is a perfect place to work and live. Things changes very much though, if you have a family - then maybe lower salary in Germany is a smaller problem, as your taxes actually pay for a lot of stuff for you.

[@muhammedasim9856]

python is best for metaverse development .?

[@RabiaLacin]

hello, I'm 21 years old, I'm currently on my way to becoming a full-stack developer, and my dream is to work as a software engineer in Switzerland, what do I need to do for this? i would be happy if you could give me some advice.Thank you for the reply in advance

[@kaloianhristov8994]

It's as simple as checking the purchasing power of a salary in a country (data readily available online) and once you check it you will find out they are pretty much at the same level. Trust me Switzerland is not so much better as you describe it here. Yes, you do pay less taxes in Switzerland but you get less in return compared to Germany, e.g. in Germany you get 14m of parental leave that can be split between both parents + you get a salary throughout your parental leave. True, not 100% but still relatively OK. In Switzerland, you don't get free daycare for your kids - it actually costs over a thousand CHF monthly, in some federal states in Germany, e.g. Berlin, it is for free. This is a good video to show how a single individual in Switzerland has done tremendously well for himself but has nothing to do with looking at an entire population, and some of the suggestions you are making are so misleading. Cheers

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Thank you for your insights. I am actually german and grew up there. I left Germany 7 years ago and in this video I’m just talking about my subjective perspective of the whole living situation here compared to what i experienced in Germany. I still love Germany and it will be my “home” forever but the generell living quality just seems better in Switzerland for me. Of course I can’t tell you anything about parental things like daycare and parental leave because i don’t have kids yet and you are absolutely right about the points you mentioned. But for me personally it’s just a better life in Switzerland.

[@marvinl7450]

German here as well. I need to admit that Germany lost it's shine a long time ago. We are facing huge problems - take a look at the german brain drain. I see myself forced to leave Germany next year because top performers are no longer rewarded here. As a software developer (full stack) with the latest technologies, you earn an average of 60k here. That's about 3.2-3.3k net for a single person. That's a joke. A 3 room flat in a halfway good city costs about 1200-1500€ warm. As a hard-working, sought-after worker, I think you're entitled to a bedroom, a living room and an office, aren't you? ;) So this standard flat eats up about half of your salary. Then you currently pay about 300€ food p.p. if you eat a protein-rich diet. Mobile phone contract (latest iPhone) costs about 65-70€ per month. A car (middle class) 270€ leasing. Fuel approx. 150€. Now, optimistically calculated, we are at about 1950€. Now we still need: hobbies, subscriptions, clothes, insurance, activities with friends. Let's calculate a flat rate of 50€ per area => 250€. You spend about 2200€ in Germany for the standard of living described above. Not a bad life, no question! But what about your dreams? A bicycle, a motorbike, a new TV, a new PC, holidays, etc.? Because we're on a tech channel here: we shouldn't forget that software developers are one of the most sought-after and thus best-paid workers in Germany. Now think about how a person with an average income lives here!

[@marvinl7450]

​@@RichardStrittmatter ich komme nächstes Jahr auch zu euch. Aktuell schaue ich einige Videos über (Software Engineers in der) / die Schweiz. Wie du sicherlich mitbekommst, sind wir Deutschen in der Schweiz angeblich nicht gern gesehen. Könntest du vielleicht kurz deine Erfahrungen teilen? Wir sind ähnlich alt, wie ist es in der Schweiz mit neuen Freundschaften als Deutscher? Oder sind das alles nur Vorurteile, die sich beim typischen asozialen Deutschen, der die Schweiz nicht respektiert, bewahrheiten? Die ungeschriebenen Regeln in der Schweiz erinnern mich stark an die Regeln des damals konservativen Deutschlands - so bin ich auch aufgewachsen, wäre für mich also nicht neu. PS: welchen Tech stack nutzt du / ihr gerade auf der Arbeit? ;)

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Hey Marvin, danke für deine ausführlichen Kommentare. Nein, das kann ich gar nicht bestätigen. Ich habe über die Jahre wirklich festgestellt, dass das meiste, was die Deutschen über die Schweizer sagen, totaler Schwachsinn ist. Die Schweizer gelten ja bei uns oft als besonders arrogant und sollen, wie du schon sagst, die Deutschen nicht gerne haben, aber das kann ich nicht bestätigen. Seit ich nun hier lebe, sind mir die allermeisten Schweizer sehr offen und freundlich gegenübergetreten (teilweise einiges freundlicher als man es von Deutschen gewohnt ist), und ich hatte nie das Gefühl, unerwünscht oder gar ein Ausländer zu sein. Man fühlt sich hier (ich zumindest) sehr schnell heimisch. Selbstverständlich gibt es auch hierbei Ausnahmen. Beruflich kann ich dir sagen, deutsche sind sogar sehr gerne gesehen. Knapp die Hälfte der Entwickler in der Firma, in der ich arbeite, sind aus Deutschland. Einige waren bis vor kurzem noch Grenzgänger und wohnten in Deutschland und arbeiteten in der Schweiz, aber selbst die sind mittlerweile alle rübergezogen. Für mich persönlich war es die beste Entscheidung, hierher zu kommen.

[@marvinl7450]

​@@RichardStrittmatter Hi Richard, danke dir für deine Insights. Das bestärkt mein Vorhaben :) Ich freue mich auf weitere Videos von dir!

[@crackhead3511]

I guess I gotta start learning German, cause I already got the CS diploma

[@kirammanenjoyer]

BRO WTF Switzerland is legit less expensive than big Canadian cities

[@RichardStrittmatter]

How much are you guys paying over there ?

[@youssefessid106]

you can consider doing an apartment tour and talking about your working desk setup Also talk about the tech scene in switzerland as a whole you know compare it to tech hubs in germany and the us

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Thank you for the feedback. A desk Setup video is already in planning👍🏻

[@memo.a937]

I am planning to work in Germany, and according to tax calculator they take a huge chunk for retirement plan, so can i not pay this amount if i don't want to get pension, noting that I am planning to get the citizenship

[@RichardStrittmatter]

No, it’s like a obligatory tax. You’d „evade taxes“ if you didn’t pay into your retirement plan.

[@emokjulev9936]

is it overall better to live there apart from the financial situation

[@destiny-fox1990]

Amazing swiss opening shots. Also, everyones talking about swiss salary when i talk to europeans. Tier 1 cities in the USA for college grads start from 150k in total. Im surprised medical insurance is extra 😅 when everyone talks about how bad USA medical system is, the truth is as long as you are employed, insurance is paid whole through your employer.

[@raulgongora4895]

Why so little cost for transportation?. Do you combine your our with public transportation, cause only 100 in fuel is too low.

[@RichardStrittmatter]

No it’s accurate. I just don’t drive very far so one tank, which is about 60-70 CHF, lasts me for pretty much one month. Sometimes even more if I don’t drive a lot on the weekends.

[@raulgongora4895]

@@RichardStrittmatter oh I see. It sounds like one ltr of fuel is about €1.2-1.5?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

At the moment it’s around 1.60-1.70 CHF

[@raulgongora4895]

@@RichardStrittmatter here in stockholm cheepest 1.34 chf

[@CODEMENTAL]

Thanks for the informative video. I am moving to Switzerland and I am surprised that you can make up to 100k swiss francs on the side without being taxed. Is that under your own name. Or do you have a limited company for that?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

It's just under my own name. After 100k + of revenue you'd have to register a limited company.

[@CODEMENTAL]

I see. That makes sense.

[@etymology_]

Can you do a video on side projects or micro saas ideas that engineers can build to make income?

[@stephanesilvaa]

Thak you so much for this video! I just visited Switzerland, counntry where i was born and i'm really thinking about moving there (im a DE aswell). Regarding your expenses, could you tell me what type of car 284 chf gets you? just to compare to my current car situation

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Driving a 2019 Ford Focus atm

[@robertson1104]

Hi, can a self taught web developer get a job in Switzerland or one must have a bachelor's degree?

[@hangmoon98]

Thanks for your detailed and transparent sharing! Could you share about the job market for software developers in Switzerland? How’s the interview process? Probation time? Unemployment benefits? Without an income how long can one survive before having to move out of the country?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Already on my list of video ideas👍🏻

[@joshruzzelcarino8838]

What major did u take

[@MrHD71]

What was the website you showed at the beginning of the video?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

It’s called Kununu.com

[@keyone415]

I am software engineer, lived and worked in many North American cities, pay and expenses are about the same as in Ottawa in Canada. It's lower than say California, but it's still confortable.

[@Divy91311]

Hey Richard , really nice video! I was wondering if I could help you edit your videos and also make a highly engaging Thumbnail which will help your video to reach to a wider audience .

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Thanks for the offer but I really enjoy making the videos myself 👍🏻

[@KhapitarBalakAagya]

Is it easy to find job for German citizen and how to find it? what could be the expected salary as software or AI engineer of 5 years of experience?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Shouldn’t be to hard if you speak German. Can’t really help you with the salary info since I don’t know anyone working in the AI field.

[@ThePaja12]

Probably around 100-120k per year. German language is important for getting a decent job in Switzerland

[@WhosShamouz]

So interesting, had the idea of moving, also for the quality of life!

[@rentefald]

I have 24 years experience and at the moment highly refined in Azure Cloud Services. Guess my salary :)

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Certainly above six figures?

[@petrzurek5713]

What is the link to the salary checker website?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

It’s called Kununu.com

[@praveenteja1379]

Good information..May I know opportunities and pay scale for service now developer with 6 yrs experience..I am from India...

[@lorep7412]

I am a Senior Java Software Engineer in Germany and earn about 107k, how much would I get in Switzerland?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

That depends on the company and your fields of experience, of course but I’d say 135k+ is very realistic.

[@ThePaja12]

135-140k would be max for that role. For more you need to be a manager

[@nunofigueira8691]

Thank you to share this information, if you are looking for a partner to help you in your projects, let me know

[@janoed1428]

Bin gad extrem froh hani din Kanal gfunde, sehr hilfrich und informativi Videos. Mach witer so 💪💪 mis Abo hesch definitiv. LG us Züri :D

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Freut mich sehr, merci 👍🏻

[@sanchitmahi]

bro did u do masters?

[@swastikchatterjee5838]

subscribed....

[@ibrahimbah7573]

how did you go to Switzerland?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Came here when I was a teenager.

[@uhack2417]

Are you Swiss or did you move there?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Moved here when I was 16

[@raharijaonazolalainayannic7851]

Can a foreigner open a business in Switzerland ?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Yeah, but there are some requirements.

[@Nicuju]

Thanks for this informative video. I thought Switzerland 🇨🇭 was way more expensive than California 🇺🇸. Your cost of living is way better than the cost of living in California. Even your taxes are lower. It seems you guys enjoy better quality of live and cheaper cost of living in Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@MsLemons12]

So you don't have to pay any taxes on your small business income? You should do a video about how that works 😆

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Correct. Anything under 100k is income tax free. You just pay a very small percentage of your revenue into your retirement plan.

[@oscarfunnyvideos]

in wich city do you live?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Basel

[@mossesboy]

bro software developer want any degree?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Sometimes yes, sometimes not.

[@mossesboy]

@@RichardStrittmatter yaa

[@mossesboy]

@@RichardStrittmatter minimum salary of Junior flutter deceloper?

[@mauriciotorres6815]

I feel pretty uncomfortable with my salary as software developer and i find interesting that you invest in your own business even if you could live well with your salary. It would be interesting see a video with your recommendation tu create second income business

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Thank you for your comment. I’ll take it on my list for videos ideas👍🏻

[@hannesRSA]

There are trade offs for everything. Like this guy may seem privileged. But just remember that the poor man is Swiss.

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Im german actually 😂

[@Vagabondi404]

I don't get why people are interested in this type of full numbers video, like make money is not a contest. we are all rich or all poors depending on the context, it's just ridiculous dick measuring the same ways thots on instagram flash their holidays pictures or whatever. pretty much every dev is gonna be lower middle class to upper middle class in employee mode, who cares if it's 50k or 70k or 110k that does not change much in your day to day life, just how quick you will get to goals like having enough money to buy a home or whatever. society is really so turbo trash that everyone wants numbers & shit rather than actual story, skills, personal goals and all.

[@RichardStrittmatter]

But what color is your bugatti?

[@terrison9936]

But what color is your Bugatti?

[@terrison9936]

Im broke homie!

[@FreshD1919]

Same.

[@roudec6095]

How can i work there in switzerland as a software engineer !

[@RichardStrittmatter]

Move here and apply for a job?

[@roudec6095]

@@RichardStrittmatter is it simple to move there ?

[@RichardStrittmatter]

It depends where you come from. If you are from the EU it’s not that hard but if you come from somewhere else it could be more challenging.

[@roudec6095]

@@RichardStrittmatter im not from the EU but i plan to study there maybe in france if studied in france would that be less challenging

[@roudec6095]

@@RichardStrittmatter is studying in switzerland expensive ?

[@loicgaba4249]

Cool video, well explained and detailed But for the salary you gave, is it gross or net salary per year? If it's gross, how much will I earn net? Thanks @RichardStrittmatter

[@RichardStrittmatter]

That was gross. Net would be around 4750 chf. from my full time job