Engineers Cautious with AI - Slight Dip in Salaries
08.10.2025 | from Swiss Engineering STV UTS ATS
Reading time: 2 minutes
08.10.2025, The Swiss Engineering Salary Survey 2025/26 reveals: Swiss engineers are increasingly using AI, but don't feel their jobs are threatened by it. Salaries for engineers and architects are slightly declining. New graduates still find employment quickly.
Swiss engineers show restraint in their approach to artificial intelligence (AI). While many of them are already using AI tools in their daily work, enthusiasm for the technology is not yet widely apparent. This is demonstrated by the 2025/26 Salary Survey from Swiss Engineering, in which 2,291 engineers and architects from all over Switzerland participated. This year, the focus of the survey was the impact of artificial intelligence on the work of engineers and architects. Only about half of the respondents see positive effects on their productivity. Swiss engineers and architects hardly fear that AI could take over their jobs in the near future. Only 3 percent sense a tangible threat, while 87 percent see no danger, and 10 percent are undecided.
Salaries are slightly lower than the previous year. For the first time in several years, salaries have shown a small dip: The median salary of respondents in 2025 is 122,000 Swiss Francs. This is slightly less than the previous year but more than in 2023 and 2022. Earnings vary significantly depending on industry and region: Top earners include the public administration (143,074 Swiss Francs) and the financial sector (139,000 Swiss Francs). Well-paid positions are also found in the chemical/pharmaceutical industry and medical technology. Less lucrative sectors are the machinery/metallurgical industry (117,250 Swiss Francs) and heating/ventilation/air conditioning or water supply (113,478 Swiss Francs). Regionally, North Western Switzerland tops the list with a median of 133,900 Swiss Francs, followed by Ticino (129,000 Swiss Francs), the Mittelland region (126,100 Swiss Francs), and Zurich (120,000 Swiss Francs). The lowest salaries are paid in the Lake Geneva region (114,000 Swiss Francs). Despite the slight decline, 69 percent of respondents perceive their salary as adequate.
For new graduates, things are still going smoothly. They usually find their first job quickly. The median starting salary of around 90,000 Swiss Francs meets expectations and is largely considered fair.
Swiss Engineering aims to create salary transparency with the annual salary survey. The 2025/26 salary survey conducted by market research institute Demoscope is commissioned by Swiss Engineering and supported by forwarding it to their members from associations like ETH Alumni, SIA, SVIAL, SVIN, and Swiss Leaders. Members of Swiss Engineering receive the complete study for free. Non-members can order it for 150 Swiss Francs via info@swissengineering.ch.
Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher.
Conclusion of this article: « Engineers Cautious with AI - Slight Dip in Salaries »
Swiss Engineering STV UTS ATS
Since 1905, the professional association Swiss Engineering has successfully advocated for the interests of engineers and architects. The association is involved in projects, networks, and political processes. It gives engineers and architects a strong voice and promotes understanding of technology in society.
Regardless of your field of study or current profession, Swiss Engineering is your professional association working for you. We represent the interests of all engineers and architects in Switzerland.
Swiss Engineering is committed to the concerns of engineers and architects. The association is involved in projects, networks, political processes, and also in society to gain more understanding of technology.
Note: The "About Us" text is taken from public sources or from the company profile on HELP.ch.
Source: Swiss Engineering STV UTS ATS, Press release
Original article published on: Ingenieur:innen bei KI zurückhaltend - Löhne mit leichter Delle