Hello All

I have recently been approached and offered a position to work in a back office function for a bank in Zurich, they have offered me a basic salary which I'm not sure to accept as i can earn the same in London, can someone offer me some advise on the average salary on a similar role elsewhere in Zurich.

Please note that I'm currently in a senior position working for a bank in London doing a similar role, a relocation package has not been offered and I'm trying to find out as much information as I can before I make any commitments.

Your help will be greatly appreciated

If you could quote your offered basic salary, may be we could help !

well if the salary is the same as what you are earning in London, I would take quality of life & tax into account.

having spent 10 years in London & taken a (small) drop in salary, I can assure you that I have more cash to splash & the quality of life is way better. Wild horses could not drag me back.

Thanks for the speedy replies, the basic salary they have offered is 88000 CHF.

Again your advise is greatly appreciated

Hi,

You haven't mentioned how many years experience you have or what kind of role it is - i.e. technical or financial.

I work as a for a Swiss bank as a techie, have no management responsibility and get a much better rate than that; though I have about 18 years IT experience.

Cheers,
Nick

It would be useful if you could post more details. A senior position can mean many things.

Also, back-office can mean many things.

The institutions will also vary, as european banks pay more fixed and less variable, whereas with anglo-saxons the variable part is more important.

I have a Swiss rates survey by Michael Page which is rather neatly done, I recommend it to anyone wishing to figure out his/her going market rate.

88K + Relocation Package + Free Temporary Accomodation (1 to 3 months) + Language Course => Good deal for your case.


But without knowing your experience, type of your employer (MNC ??), it is hard to guess !!

I have 7yrs junior management, supervisor/team leader experience within the private banking function, Dealing with UT OEICS, Hedge funds, Bonds & Equity settlements, client relationships roles etc..... it is Schroders, who are quite small in Switzerland, that have offered me the opportunity but they haven't offered relocation package, temporary accommodation and i have a redundancy package affected by the move.

I've been also offered a job in the UK for a front office role for approximately the same amount but i am really considering the role in Zurich as i don't think I'll have another opportunity like this but i have girlfriend/family and friends in the UK plus i have limited German !!!!!

I am will to go back to them and discuss potential salaries but i need as much info as possible....

The swiss survey from Michael Page could provide me some useful information if I can have some access to it..

My little blue book here says an associate (senior specialist) will earn 80k max, whereas an AVP will be around 90k. It looks like you're not too far from where you should be.