Is there a minimum wage for my domestic help that I must consider?

Yes! While Switzerland has no nationwide minimum wage, there are provisions under the standard employment contract (NAV) for employees in domestic services that must be observed. The following employment relationships are excluded in particular: au pairs, training and internship arrangements, as well as persons providing childcare outside the family (day-care mothers, lunch-table supervision). Activities limited to childcare (without housework) are therefore excluded from the NAV for domestic services.

In Switzerland (except for the canton of Geneva), the following gross minimum wages per hour (without holiday supplement) apply accordingly:

• Unskilled employees without professional experience: CHF 20.35
• Unskilled employees with four years of professional experience in housekeeping: CHF 22.30
• Trained domestic helpers with three years of basic vocational training and a Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ): CHF 24.55
• Trained domestic helpers with a two-year basic vocational training and a professional certificate (EBA): CHF 22.30

For the canton of Geneva, the following gross monthly wages have applied since 2025:

• CHF 24.48 as hourly wage
• CHF 4’243.20 per month for a 40-hour working week
• CHF 4’451.36 per month for a 42-hour working week
• CHF 4’775.60 per month for a 45-hour week

The hourly wage can be reduced proportionally if the wage is paid 13 times per year. More information on the solution in the canton of Geneva in French under:
https://www.ge.ch/employer-du-personnel-maison/salaires

Please note that quitt ads for hourly contracts, depending on the number of vacations chosen, 8.33%, 10.64% or 13.04% to the minimum wage, as vacation compensation is included in the hourly wage.