There are thousands of foreigners who have moved permanently to Switzerland to work in construction, and there are also many who live in Italy or France and cross the border every day to work in Switzerland. Construction jobs in Switzerland are always in demand.
The construction sector in Switzerland was always on a growth path until 2019, when it unfortunately came to a halt due to the coronavirus. After a difficult year in 2020 and 2021, there was a significant recovery in 2022.
There are a number of professionals working on the construction: Bricklayers, laborers, carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, electricians, painters, tilers and other workers.
Construction jobs in Switzerland, duties
Preparation of equipment and tools to be used and put in place at the end of the work day (wash, clean, arrange in proper places).
Daily preparation of the workplace, preparation of materials, tools and equipment. You will need to make the worksite or work area walkable by setting up scaffolding and cleaning it of debris and waste.
Load and unload materials and equipment from company vehicles (vans, trucks, etc.). You will be required to move materials close to work stations to maximize work time. Manage equipment (concrete mixers, pumps, etc.) and materials (concrete, brick, paint, wood products) on the job site.
Prepare building materials such as concrete and lime. Set up scaffolding and prepare walls and other surfaces to be painted. Preparing the wooden or iron structures.
Laying bricks for building walls or partitions. You have to make arches and masonry. Build scaffolds and forms for reinforced concrete (formwork). Use putty or other suitable products and paint the surfaces with paints.
Assist or help in the construction of structures or demolition of existing buildings, depending on the job profile. Shall provide support and assistance to other workers as necessary for the progress of the work.
Perform all masonry work for the construction of walls, foundations, partitions, etc. They must mix paints and other products to achieve the proper color or texture.
Leave equipment and tools used during the work day clean, tidy and ready for the next day.
When using the equipment and working on the construction site, comply with the applicable Swiss laws on health and safety at work.
Construction jobs, skills and qualifications
Usually, to get construction jobs in Switzerland are required:
- Previous experience
- Good manual skills
- Knowledge of materials, tools and equipment used and how to use them
- Knowledge of workplace safety and construction site regulations
- Good interpersonal skills
- A professional qualification is usually an advantage
Construction jobs in Switzerland, wages
As mentioned above, the sector is expected to experience a strong upswing in 2022, which is why good employment opportunities are expected.
Many foreigners are attracted to the idea of working in the construction sector in Switzerland. Salaries vary depending on the type of job and the professionalism of the worker. In any case, on average we are at 5,000 – 8,000 € per month.
Construction worker wages will increase by an average of 1-2% in 2022 compared to the previous year. The average wage of construction workers will be above 6,000 francs in 2022. Depending on the position, they will be between CHF 5,000 and CHF 8,000. Wages are highest in German-speaking Switzerland and lowest in Italian and French-speaking Switzerland.
Websites for jobs in the construction industry:
- Every Job SA, job offers in construction
- Point Service SA, job offers in construction
- Ilka work SA, job offers in construction
If you are interested in learning more about how to find work in Switzerland, I recommend you read the article: How to work in Switzerland
