How net pay is calculated in Switzerland
Swiss payroll deducts social insurance directly from your salary. Income tax is levied at three levels: the federal government, your canton and your commune. The same salary can therefore leave noticeably different net pay in Zurich, Zug or Geneva. The calculator covers 48 communes in 10 cantons with the 2026 tariffs and tax multipliers (Steuerfuss).
- AHV/IV/EO 5.3% and unemployment insurance (ALV) 1.1% up to CHF 148,200.
- Non-occupational accident insurance (NBU) about 1%, depending on the employer’s insurer.
- Pension fund (BVG) by age band on the coordinated salary (coordination deduction CHF 26,460). Many plans deduct more — you can enter your own rate.
Converting a Swiss hourly wage
Hourly employees in Switzerland are usually not paid during holidays. Instead, they receive a holiday supplement on every hour worked: 8.33% for 4 weeks, 10.64% for 5 weeks and 13.04% for 6 weeks of holidays. A public-holiday supplement of about 3.6% and a pro-rata 13th salary of 8.33% are often added on top. Job ads sometimes quote the rate with these supplements already included — switch the option accordingly and the calculator shows every step.
Permit B: foreign employees without a C permit pay withholding tax (Quellensteuer). This calculator approximates it with the ordinary tax of your commune; the official withholding tables can differ slightly.