Due to the measurement method, the arithmetic mean (average) is used to calculate the wage gap instead of the median which is commonly used as the reference value in the FSO’s descriptive analyses. The analysis of the wage gap (explained and unexplained share) based on the Oaxaca model is a breakdown of the difference in average wages.
| Professional position | Total | Women | Men | Gap in % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 6 665 | 6 211 | 6 963 | 10,80 |
| 1+2 | 10 531 | 9 249 | 11 116 | 16,80 |
| 3 | 8 762 | 8 101 | 9 145 | 11,42 |
| 4 | 7 287 | 6 844 | 7 547 | 9,31 |
| 5 | 6 062 | 5 787 | 6 214 | 6,87 |
1+2 = Top, upper and middle management
3 = Lower management
4 = Lowest management level
5 = No management function
Analysis of the gender wage gap
A one-time analysis of the wages 2008 based on NOGA 2002 and NOGA 2008 was carried out (NOGA = General Classification of Economic Activities). The results vary. Explanation: The mathematical model to analyse the salaries of women and men takes account, among other factors, of the economic branch. The transition from the NOGA 2002 to the NOGA 2008 classification has a corresponding influence on the results.
| 2008 | 2010 | 2012 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of gap that can be explained: Due to explainable factors | 60.4% | 62.4% | 59.1% | 60.9% | 57.1% | 55.7% | 54.7% |
| Percentage of gap that can be explained: No explainable reasons for gap | 39.6% | 37.6% | 40.9% | 39.1% | 42.9% |
44.3% | 45.3% |
| 1998 | 2000 | 2002 | 2004 | 2006 | 2008 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of gap that can be explained: Due to explainable factors | 58,9% | 55,6% | 58,0% | 60,5% | 61,4% | 61,1% |
| Percentage of gap that cannot be explained: No explainable reasons for gap | 41,1% | 44,4% | 42,0% | 39,5% | 38,6% | 38,9% |
| Economic division (NOGA08) |
Economic branch | Gender pay gap (mean) | Unexplained share in gender pay gap | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in % | in CHF | in % | in CHF | ||
| Total private sector | 19.5 | 1 599 | 45.3 | 724 | |
| SECTOR 2 PRODUCTION | |||||
| 10-12 | Manufacture of food products and tobacco |
19.5 | 1 335 | 56.7 | 756 |
| 13-15 | Manufacture of textiles and apparel | 21.6 | 1 381 | 58.5 | 808 |
| 18 | Printing, reproduction of recorded media | 19.1 | 1 393 | 41.7 | 581 |
| 19-21 | Manufacture of chemicals and pharmaceutical products | 8.1 | 908 | 89.8 | 816 |
| 26-30/33 | Manuf. of machinery and equipment | 21.5 | 1 764 | 51.7 | 913 |
| 35 | Energy supply | 16.0 | 1 532 | 64.1 | 982 |
| SECTOR 3 SERVICES | |||||
| 47 | Retail trade | 17.3 | 1 093 | 57.5 | 628 |
| 49-53 | Transportation and storage | 10.6 | 703 | 84.4 | 593 |
| 55-56 | Accommodation and food service activities |
8.7 | 443 | 57.4 | 255 |
| 58-63 | Information and communication | 22.8 | 2 446 | 43.4 | 1 062 |
| 64-66 | Financial and insurance activities | 32.4 | 4 309 | 34.2 | 1 472 |
| 68 | Real estate activities | 22.5 | 2 010 | 33.2 | 667 |
| 69-75 | Professional, scientific and technical activities | 25.1 | 2 658 | 29.7 | 791 |
| 85 | Education | 12.5 | 1 046 | 56.0 | 586 |
| 86-88 | Human health and social work activities | 19.5 | 1 602 | 34.9 | 559 |
| 90-93 | Arts, entertainment and recreation | 15.2 | 1 113 | 36.0 | 401 |
| 94-96 | Other service activities | 20.2 | 1 624 | 30.4 | 494 |
| Gender pay gap (mean) | Unexplained share in gender pay gap | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in % | in CHF | in % | in CHF | |
| Total public sector | 15.1 | 1 373 | 46.7 |
642 |
| Gender pay gap (mean) | Unexplained share in gender pay gap | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in % | in CHF | in % | in CHF | |
| Total total economy | 18.0 | 1 500 | 47.8 |
717 |
Further information
On behalf of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office and the Federal Office for Gender Equality, regular, in-depth analyses of gender wage gaps were made.
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Wages and Working ConditionsEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland