How Much Do Housekeepers Earn in Switzerland? (Take-Home Pay)
A guide for housekeepers in Switzerland: hourly and monthly pay, deductions and net take-home, with a calculator.
Quick answer: In Switzerland a housekeeper usually earns CHF 28–32 per hour gross (the NAV minimum is lower). About 6.4% (AHV/IV/EO 5.3% + ALV 1.1%) is deducted from the gross wage; the calculator below shows your exact net.
Gross, deductions and net
What you agree with the family is usually the gross wage. Your contributions are deducted: AHV/IV/EO 5.3% and ALV 1.1%, together 6.4%. Without a C permit, a withholding tax (Quellensteuer, ~5%) may also apply. The employer pays its contributions on top — that doesn't reduce your wage.
Hourly and monthly pay
- Hourly: experienced housekeepers with good references usually get CHF 28–32 in the Zurich area.
- Plus an 8.33% holiday supplement on the hourly wage (4 weeks' holiday).
- With references and ID verification, the higher end is easier to command.
The minimum you must be paid
The standard contract (NAV) sets minimum wages: unskilled CHF 20.35, from 4 years' experience 22.30, skilled/EFZ 24.55 (2026). Some cantons (e.g. Geneva) are higher. The calculator flags any offer below the legal minimum.
The minimum wages of the federal standard employment contract for domestic work (NAV Hauswirtschaft) apply when someone works on average at least five hours a week for the same employer. Exclusions include people mainly employed for childcare, apprentices and interns, and spouses or partners. Below five hours a week this minimum wage does not apply, but AHV/AVS contributions are still due from the first franc. In Geneva the cantonal CTT-EDom applies instead.
Board and lodging (for live-in roles)
If you live in, free lodging and meals count as salary in kind (AHV reference value: about CHF 990/month for full board and lodging), added to your cash wage and subject to contributions.
What the deductions buy you
The 6.4% isn't lost: it counts towards your AHV pension and unemployment insurance. Working registered protects you for accident, illness and unemployment.
How to earn more
References, reliability and ID verification are decisive when a family pays above average. 👉 See families hiring near you and create your profile.
Conclusion
Your net is the gross minus about 6.4% (plus withholding tax where it applies). Knowing market rates, the NAV minimum and the holiday supplement, you can judge any offer confidently — the calculator above gives the exact net.
See also
- How much it costs (the family's view) — the other side of the same sum.
- Being hired legally — AHV, contract and insurance.
Official sources
Rules and amounts can change — check the official sources:
FAQ
What is a housekeeper's net pay in Switzerland?
Net is the gross minus about 6.4% (AHV/IV/EO + ALV), plus withholding tax (~5%) without a C permit. The calculator above shows the exact figure.
How much per hour do housekeepers earn?
Usually CHF 28–32 per hour in the Zurich area for experienced housekeepers, plus an 8.33% holiday supplement. The NAV minimum ranges from CHF 20.35 to 24.55.
Do board and lodging count as pay?
Yes. For live-in roles, free lodging and meals are salary in kind (AHV value about CHF 990/month), added to your cash wage.
Are the deductions worth it?
Yes. They count towards your AHV pension and unemployment insurance and protect you in case of accident, illness or unemployment.
Does the minimum wage apply for just a few hours a week?
The minimum wages of the federal standard employment contract for domestic work (NAV Hauswirtschaft) apply when someone works on average at least five hours a week for the same employer. Exclusions include people mainly employed for childcare, apprentices and interns, and spouses or partners. Below five hours a week this minimum wage does not apply, but AHV/AVS contributions are still due from the first franc. In Geneva the cantonal CTT-EDom applies instead.