Switzerland is looking for 20,000 builders: what salaries are being offered

Switzerland is facing an acute shortage of workers in the construction sector. The country has opened more than 20,000 vacancies, with stonemasons and foremen among the most in-demand specialists. This is reported by UNIAN citing El Español.

One of the main reasons for the staffing shortage is demographic changes. A significant portion of construction workers is approaching retirement age, while younger individuals more often choose technology, finance, engineering, and pharmaceuticals.

How much builders earn in Switzerland

The shortage of specialists forces employers to offer high salaries. A qualified stonemason, depending on experience, region, and level of training, can earn from 5,328 to 6,927 euros per month, or approximately 277,000 to 360,000 hryvnias.

With overtime work, additional payments, or greater responsibility, income can be even higher. For certain positions, it can reach around 8,900 euros, which is about 462,000 hryvnias per month.

At the same time, high salaries do not fully resolve the staffing problem. The level of unemployment in Switzerland remains very low and is estimated to be around 2.2-2.3% in 2026. Therefore, it is difficult for employers to find the necessary number of workers within the country.

If you are interested in working in Switzerland, we suggest checking out 6,400 vacancies on the Layboard portal.

Swiss companies attract foreign workers

Due to the shortage of local personnel, construction companies are increasingly looking for workers abroad. In particular, specialists from Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Germany are working on Swiss construction sites.

For foreigners, the high salary makes the Swiss labor market attractive. At the same time, the mere existence of a vacancy does not automatically grant the right to employment: the possibility of legal work depends on citizenship, residence permits, and access rules to the Swiss labor market.

It should be noted that Switzerland has tightened rules for obtaining S status for Ukrainians effective from August 20, 2026, granting it only to those who do not violate military obligations to Ukraine.