Hourly wage calculator Switzerland 2026
Convert a monthly salary into an hourly wage — or the other way round. With vacation compensation, 13th month salary and your weekly working hours, per Swiss payroll practice.
| Hourly wage (base) | CHF 35.71 |
| + Vacation compensation 8.33% (4 weeks) | CHF 2.98 |
| Monthly salary equivalent (182.0 h/month) | CHF 6'500.00 |
| Annual salary (base) | CHF 78'000.00 |
Gross values before social contributions. Vacation and 13th-month supplements per Swiss payroll practice (CO Art. 329a/d).
Why hourly and monthly pay are not directly comparable
An hourly wage and a monthly salary cannot simply be set against each other: in a monthly salary, vacation and often a 13th month salary are already included; on an hourly wage they must come on top, as a supplement. Anyone comparing an hourly-wage offer with a permanent position, evaluating a temporary or part-time role, or setting a fair rate as an employer needs a clean conversion — otherwise you compare apples and oranges. That is exactly what the hourly wage calculator does for you, in both directions.
How it is calculated
The starting point is the standard Swiss payroll formula: a monthly salary covers on average 52 ÷ 12 = 4.33 weeks. The base hourly rate is therefore monthly salary × 12 ÷ (52 × weekly hours). In a monthly salary, vacation is already paid; on an hourly contract it is compensated with a supplement instead:
- 8.33% for 4 weeks of vacation (4 ÷ 48 working weeks)
- 10.64% for 5 weeks of vacation (5 ÷ 47)
- 13.04% for 6 weeks of vacation (6 ÷ 46)
A contractual 13th month salary adds a further 8.33% (1/12), calculated on the vacation-inclusive pay.
Worked example step by step
Monthly salary CHF 6'500, 42 weekly hours, 4 weeks of vacation:
- Base hourly rate: CHF 6'500 × 12 ÷ (52 × 42) = CHF 35.71
- + Vacation compensation 8.33%: CHF 2.98
- Hourly wage incl. vacation: CHF 38.69 (at 182 h/month)
Anyone offering an hourly wage of CHF 38.69 without a vacation supplement effectively pays less than CHF 6'500 a month — this is exactly where a close look pays off.
Deciding smartly: what to watch for
- Vacation compensation must be shown: it belongs on the payslip separately — if it is missing, the hourly wage is effectively lower than it appears.
- The 13th month is not automatic: on an hourly wage it only exists if the contract or collective agreement provides for it (then +8.33%) — see 13th month salary.
- Public holidays separate: public-holiday compensation varies by canton and collective agreement and is not included here.
- All gross: the values are before social contributions — the net is shown by thesalary calculator. Taxes across cantons:cantonal tax comparison. Taxed at source?withholding tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a monthly salary into an hourly wage?
The standard formula: hourly wage = monthly salary × 12 ÷ (52 × weekly hours). For CHF 6,500 and a 42-hour week that gives CHF 35.71. On an hourly contract, vacation compensation is added on top — plus the 13th-month supplement where the contract provides one.
How high is the vacation compensation in an hourly wage?
With 4 weeks of vacation 8.33%, with 5 weeks 10.64%, with 6 weeks 13.04% of the base rate. The percentages follow directly from the statutory vacation entitlement (Code of Obligations Art. 329a): 4 vacation weeks spread over 48 working weeks = 4/48 = 8.33%. The compensation must be shown separately on the payslip.
Am I entitled to a 13th month salary on hourly pay?
Only if your employment contract or collective agreement provides for it — there is no statutory entitlement. Where it is paid, it corresponds to a supplement of 8.33% (1/12), calculated on the vacation-inclusive pay.
How many hours does a working month have?
A year has 52 weeks, so a month averages 52 ÷ 12 = 4.33 weeks. At 42 weekly hours that is 182 hours per month. The usual full-time week in Switzerland is 40 to 42.5 hours depending on the industry and collective agreement.
Is the calculated wage gross or net?
All values are gross, before social contributions (AHV/IV/EO, ALV, NBU, BVG pension fund). Calculate your net salary with our salary calculator.
Other calculators
- Swiss salary calculator
From gross to net salary, deductions itemised.
- Withholding tax calculator
All 26 cantons, by tariff code and family situation.
Sources: vacation entitlement and vacation pay: Code of Obligations Art. 329a/329d (ch.ch). The 8.33/10.64/13.04% supplements follow arithmetically. Method:methodology · sources.
Last updated: 15.07.2026 · valid for 2026