In a study of Swiss salaries it published in November 2025, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reported that median wages for positions requiring a high level of responsibility vary considerably depending on residence permit.
What’s more, in these top-level jobs, “foreign workers generally earn higher salaries than Swiss nationals.”
“For example, [in 2024] cross-border workers (G permit holders) in high-level management positions earned 11,207 francs, permanent residents (C permit holders) 11,966 francs, and those with a residence permit (B permit holders) 13,090 francs, compared to 10,989 francs for Swiss employees.”
READ ALSO: How wages of foreigners in Switzerland vary depending on type of permit
Why do high-level B permit holders earn more than C permit holders?
The study did not address this point specifically, so The Local put this question to employment experts from Michael Page recruiter and Adecco Switzerland.
It all comes down to this: top (and best paid) many management positions in multi-national companies go to US and UK citizens who, as nationals of third countries, work in Switzerland under a B permit.
“B permits are often linked to specialised or senior roles for which there are sometimes too few candidates on the Swiss market,” Samuel Mete, Senior Director for Adecco told The Local.
“These positions often fall within the global salary bands of international/multinational companies, which are usually set higher than typical local wages.”
“And yes, US and UK nationals are more common in such senior roles, but the effect is broader,” Mete added. “Swiss employees are spread across all functional levels, while foreign specialists are heavily concentrated in highly responsible, highly paid roles. This automatically drives up the median.”
“Long story short: it's mainly due to the job mix, global compensation structures and skills shortages, rather than nationality itself.”
B permits, however, are not just handed down to these in-demand professionals, Michael Page’s Stephan Surber, Managing Partner for Switzerland, Page Executive, told The Local.
“B permits for employees from non-EU/EFTA countries are subject to strict quotas and labour market tests. Employers must demonstrate that no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate is available before hiring,” he said.
“These positions typically require highly qualified professionals, who are often compensated above the market average and cannot always be found in the EU.”
High wages, but also other perks
These in-demand professionals command not only high salaries, but also additional benefits.
“Depending on the size of the company, the number of [locally-based] candidates is very limited for certain positions. Hiring foreign executives is therefore inevitable," according to recruiter Erik Wirz. "And in the United States, there are very qualified employees in the pharmaceutical or technological fields.”
The demand also extends to top researchers or those who are recognised specialists in their field, Wirz added.
Aside from high salaries, companies even go so far as to cover the rent, private school tuition fees for children, and sometimes even taxes and health insurance, of the senior US executives.
READ ALSO: Why Swiss employers are eager to hire US professionals
But wait: are B-permit holders always paid more than Swiss nationals?
The FSO study shows this is not the case.
If we consider jobs other than those in top management, the situation is reversed.
“At 6,765 francs, the (median) remuneration of Swiss nationals not holding managerial positions was found to be higher than the salaries paid to foreign workers, namely 5,421 francs for B permits, 6,034 francs for C permits and 5,950 francs for G permits,” the FSO reported.
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