Minimum wage for cleaners 2026 - all 26 cantons at a glance
CHF 20.35 per hour is the legal minimum for domestic workers, but the going rate is CHF 25-33. Check below in seconds what's fair in your canton, and what you risk if you pay less.
The going rate in 2026 is CHF 25-33 gross per hour - that is what the market costs. The statutory floor sits lower: the NAV Hauswirtschaft binds from CHF 20.35/h and CHF 24.59/h in Geneva. The city of Zurich has decided on CHF 23.90/h, but it is not yet in force. At an agreed CHF 28/h, each hour worked costs you around CHF 32.73 once the holiday supplement and your employer contributions are in, and about CHF 26.87 reaches your cleaner net.
- The NAV domestic work sets binding minimum wages: CHF 20.35/hr (unskilled), CHF 22.30 (experienced), CHF 24.55 (with an EFZ).
- In 4 cantons (GE, BS, JU, NE) the cantonal minimum wage is above the NAV. Ticino has one too, but lower, there the NAV applies.
- In addition to the gross wage, a holiday supplement of 8.33% to 13.04% is owed.
- Underpayment risks retroactive wage claims, fines, and penalties up to CHF 10,000.
This applies when
For private employers who hire a cleaner directly in their own home (not a cleaning company). The NAV minimum applies Switzerland-wide; cantonal minimum wages take precedence where they are higher.
Official sources
Clino is not a job agency
We don't post jobs, hire anyone or arrange visas. This guide shows you the right path, pick your situation:
Wage check: minimum & market
Am I paying enough? Compare your hourly wage against the legal minimum and the typical market wage.
What households in the canton typically pay.
Certificate = more pay
With a federal certificate: +CHF 2.25/h legal minimum - plus a higher market value. Certified workers cost a little more - but bring quality, trust and less turnover.
Explore the certificateThe city of Lucerne has had a municipal minimum wage of CHF 22.75 since 1.1.2026. The city of Zurich (CHF 23.90) and Winterthur (CHF 23.00) have decided theirs, and the Federal Supreme Court confirmed on 12 May 2026 that it is valid - but it is not yet in force there, and the city of Zurich has said it will give at least six months' notice before it starts. What counts is where the work is done, so the household's address. For the skill level selected, CHF 22.30 per hour applies here today.
On top of the hourly wage, a holiday supplement of 8.33-13.04% is owed.
?NAV Hauswirtschaft vs. GAV Reinigung - which applies to you?
| Question | NAV (private household) | GAV Reinigung (cleaning firm) |
|---|---|---|
| Who is the employer? | Private household (you) | Cleaning company |
| Typical case | private cleaner, own contract | employed cleaning staff |
| Minimum wage 2026 | from CHF 20.35/h | from CHF 21.40/h (maintenance), CHF 23.40/h (special) |
| Holiday supplement | yes, 8.33% (4 weeks) | yes, per the GAV |
| 13th month | not mandatory | usually regulated |
This article covers the NAV Hauswirtschaft - the most common case, when you are the employer yourself. GAV Reinigung rates: Unia 2026, excl. holiday and 13th-month components.
Minimum wage by canton 2026: CHF 20.35-24.59/h
Map: which minimum wage binds where?
Colour = binding hourly floor without training. Dots = the only three cities with their own minimum wage.
Binding wage floor CHF/h (unskilled)
Geneva
- Binding
- CHF 24.59/h
- NAV domestic work
- CHF 20.35
(cantonal minimum wage)
Rates for employees without formal training. With 4+ years' experience or an EFZ the NAV rates are higher, see the table above.
The following table shows the applicable minimum wage and FAK contribution rate for each canton. Cantons with their own minimum wage are highlighted.
| Canton | Min. wage/hr | FAK rate | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basel-Stadt (BS) | CHF 22.20 | 1.65% | Since 2021, strict controls |
| Genf (GE) | CHF 24.59 | 2.37% | Highest minimum wage in Switzerland, annually indexed |
| Jura (JU) | CHF 21.40 | 2.85% | Since 2018, moderate enforcement |
| Neuenburg (NE) | CHF 21.35 | 2.49% | Since 2017, regularly adjusted |
| Tessin (TI) | CHF 20.35 | 1.90% | Industry-specific, strictest controls |
| All other 21 cantons | CHF 20.35 | 1.02-2.78% | NAV Domestic Work |
Show all 26 cantons with FAK rate
| Canton | Min. wage/hr | FAK rate | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aargau (AG) | CHF 20.35 | 1.45% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) | CHF 20.35 | 1.60% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) | CHF 20.35 | 1.60% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Basel-Landschaft (BL) | CHF 20.35 | 1.30% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Basel-Stadt (BS) | CHF 22.20 | 1.65% | Since 2021, strict controls |
| Bern (BE) | CHF 20.35 | 1.50% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Freiburg (FR) | CHF 20.35 | 2.35% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Genf (GE) | CHF 24.59 | 2.37% | Highest minimum wage in Switzerland, annually indexed |
| Glarus (GL) | CHF 20.35 | 1.40% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Graubünden (GR) | CHF 20.35 | 1.50% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Jura (JU) | CHF 21.40 | 2.85% | Since 2018, moderate enforcement |
| Luzern (LU) | CHF 20.35 | 1.35% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Neuenburg (NE) | CHF 21.35 | 2.49% | Since 2017, regularly adjusted |
| Nidwalden (NW) | CHF 20.35 | 1.50% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Obwalden (OW) | CHF 20.35 | 1.40% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Schaffhausen (SH) | CHF 20.35 | 1.30% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Schwyz (SZ) | CHF 20.35 | 1.30% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Solothurn (SO) | CHF 20.35 | 1.25% | NAV Domestic Work |
| St. Gallen (SG) | CHF 20.35 | 1.80% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Tessin (TI) | CHF 20.35 | 1.90% | Industry-specific, strictest controls |
| Thurgau (TG) | CHF 20.35 | 1.40% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Uri (UR) | CHF 20.35 | 1.70% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Waadt (VD) | CHF 20.35 | 2.62% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Wallis (VS) | CHF 20.35 | 2.78% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Zug (ZG) | CHF 20.35 | 1.35% | NAV Domestic Work |
| Zürich (ZH) | CHF 20.35 | 1.02% | NAV Domestic Work |
Source: SECO (NAV Domestic Work), cantonal legislation. As of: January 2026. The NAV rates apply to unskilled workers. Experienced and trained workers are entitled to higher wages (CHF 22.30 / CHF 24.55).
Minimum-wage map: your canton
5 cantons have their own minimum-wage act - in 4 of them the cantonal rate is above the NAV Hauswirtschaft. Everywhere else the NAV applies. Click your canton.
Genf
applies to all qualifications
Official sourceSee registration in GenfMore details in the article Cleaner costs by canton.
This article covers the legal minimum. To see what hourly wage is fair and customary, read the guide Fair hourly wage for cleaners: recommendation by canton.
Market wage: what do households actually pay?
Honest answer: the minimum wage is the floor, not the going rate. In most cantons households pay CHF 25 to 31 per hour. Offer only the minimum and finding someone gets hard, and good people leave quickly. Budget with the market wage, not the minimum. For the full picture across all of Switzerland, see the guide What a cleaner really earns in Switzerland.
Minimum vs. market wage in all 26 cantons
| Canton | Minimum/h | Typical market wage/h |
|---|---|---|
| Aargau (AG) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 27.– |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 25.– |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 25.– |
| Basel-Landschaft (BL) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 28.– |
| Basel-Stadt (BS) | CHF 22.20 | CHF 30.– |
| Bern (BE) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 27.– |
| Freiburg (FR) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Genf (GE) | CHF 24.59 | CHF 31.– |
| Glarus (GL) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 25.– |
| Graubünden (GR) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Jura (JU) | CHF 21.40 | CHF 25.– |
| Luzern (LU) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Neuenburg (NE) | CHF 21.35 | CHF 27.– |
| Nidwalden (NW) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Obwalden (OW) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 25.– |
| Schaffhausen (SH) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Schwyz (SZ) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 27.– |
| Solothurn (SO) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| St. Gallen (SG) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Tessin (TI) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 25.– |
| Thurgau (TG) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Uri (UR) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 25.– |
| Waadt (VD) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 28.– |
| Wallis (VS) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 26.– |
| Zug (ZG) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 30.– |
| Zürich (ZH) | CHF 20.35 | CHF 29.– |
Market wage: estimate based on FSO/SAKE data, rounded to whole francs. Minimum: cantonal statute (GE, NE, BS, TI, JU) or the NAV guideline for unskilled domestic workers.
What is right for your specific situation? Open the hourly-wage calculator.
How to agree on the wage
Above the minimum, fair and properly registered - here's what a good wage chat sounds like:
Agreeing the wage by WhatsApp
Maria
online
Hello! What would you pay per hour?
09:12Hi Maria! I was thinking CHF 28/h gross - holiday pay included. 😊
09:20That's fair, thank you!
09:21My pleasure! I'll register you properly - so you're insured too.
09:23Tip: with hourly pay, add the holiday supplement (usually 8.33%) on top - otherwise you effectively pay too little.
Not sure what's fair per hour? The hourly wage calculator for cleaners gives you a figure above the minimum in under a minute.
More on Cleaner Wages in Switzerland
Is there a minimum wage for cleaners in Switzerland? Yes: CHF 20.35/h
Switzerland does not have a general national minimum wage. However, for domestic workers the Standard Employment Contract for Domestic Work (NAV)applies, which was enacted by the Federal Council and prescribes binding minimum wages.
The NAV distinguishes these qualification levels, depending on the experience and training of your domestic worker (EBA graduates: same rate as experienced):
Qualification pays off - each tier lifts the legal minimum wage:
A recognised certificate raises the NAV tier - lifting the cleaner's pay and market value.
Explore the certificate →Important
How to calculate this supplement correctly and show it on the payslip is covered in the guide to holiday pay in the hourly wage.
Cantons with their own minimum wage: Geneva up to CHF 24.59/h
Five cantons have introduced a cantonal minimum wage in addition to the NAV, which applies to all industries, including domestic workers. If the cantonal minimum wage is higher than the NAV, the higher rate applies.
Highest minimum wage in Switzerland, adjusted annually for inflation
Since 2021, popular initiative accepted
Since 2018, applies to all industries
Since 2017, regularly adjusted
Industry-specific, strictest controls in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the minimum wage for domestic workers varies by up to CHF 4.24 per hour depending on the canton. Geneva pays the most, while the NAV rate applies in 21 of 26 cantons.
Good to know: In all other 21 cantons, the NAV minimum wage of CHF 20.35/hr (unskilled) applies. However, market wages are almost everywhere significantly higher, between CHF 25 and 33/hr depending on the region. Calculate your costs with the Clino cost calculator.
Minimum wage by canton 2026: the full table
There is no national minimum wage, but three layers: the federal NAV Hauswirtschaft, five cantons with their own law and three cities. The highest floor at the place of work is the one that binds.
| Canton | Binding from | Legal basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva (GE) | CHF 24.59 | Cantonal minimum-wage law | Source |
| Stadt Luzern (LU) | CHF 22.75 | Municipal minimum wage (Stadt Luzern) | Stadt Luzern: erster kommunaler Mindestlohn der Deutschschweiz, in Kraft seit 1.1.2026 |
| Basel-Stadt (BS) | CHF 22.20 | Cantonal minimum-wage law | Source |
| Jura (JU) | CHF 21.40 | Cantonal minimum-wage law | Source |
| Neuchâtel (NE) | CHF 21.35 | Cantonal minimum-wage law | Source |
| Aargau (AG) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden (AI) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Basel-Landschaft (BL) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Bern (BE) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Fribourg (FR) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Glarus (GL) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Graubünden (GR) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Lucerne (LU) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Nidwalden (NW) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Obwalden (OW) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Schaffhausen (SH) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Schwyz (SZ) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Solothurn (SO) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| St. Gallen (SG) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Thurgau (TG) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Ticino (TI) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | Source |
| Uri (UR) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Valais (VS) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Vaud (VD) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Zug (ZG) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Zurich (ZH) | CHF 20.35 | NAV Hauswirtschaft (federal) | NAV Hauswirtschaft, SR 221.215.329.4 |
| Stadt Zürich (ZH) | CHF 23.90 | Municipal minimum wage (Stadt Zürich), decided, not yet in force | Bundesgericht 12.5.2026, 2C_28/2025: Mindestlohnverordnung zulässig. Inkraftsetzung durch den Stadtrat (Art. 13 der Verordnung) noch offen — stadt-zuerich.ch, Stand 25.8.2026 |
| Winterthur (ZH) | CHF 23.00 | Municipal minimum wage (Winterthur), decided, not yet in force | Bundesgericht 12.5.2026, 2C_30/2025: Mindestlohnverordnung zulässig. Inkraftsetzung durch die Stadt noch offen — Stand 25.8.2026 |
- The NAV binds from 5 hours a week with the same employer. Below that it is a reference figure. Cantonal and municipal minimum wages, by contrast, bind from the first hour.
- What counts is the place of work, i.e. the employer's address, not where the employee lives.
- NAV tiers: unskilled CHF 20.35, unskilled with 4+ years of experience or EBA CHF 22.30, EFZ CHF 24.55.
- The figures come straight out of Clino's payroll engine and apply to 2026 (NAV ordinance of 5.12.2025, in force since 1.1.2026).
Paying the bare minimum is risky
- •High churn: good cleaners switch to competitors who pay CHF 3-5 more.
- •If the qualification level is misjudged (e.g. "unskilled" instead of "experienced"), you automatically underpay.
- •On the next inflation/indexation adjustment you fall below the minimum overnight, without noticing.
- •A clear signal to your cleaner: "I take this seriously." Better retention, less search.
- •Buffer for cantonal adjustments: you stay compliant even after the next indexation.
- •Clino checks the wage automatically on every payslip and warns about underpayment.
Market wages for cleaners across Switzerland range CHF 25-33 gross. Sticking to the bare minimum costs you the worker.
Gross vs. net: CHF 25.00 leaves CHF 23.03
The minimum wage is a gross wage. The following deductions are made on the employee side:
AHV / IV / EO
Old age, disability and income replacement insurance
ALV
Unemployment insurance
UVG (NOA)
Non-occupational accident insurance (from 8 hrs/week)
Gross wage (before deductions)
- •Agreed hourly rate incl. holiday supplement
- •Basis for social insurance contributions
- •Must at least match the NAV minimum wage
Net wage (after deductions)
- •Amount paid out to the domestic worker
- •After deduction of AHV, ALV, UVG (approx. 7.8%)
- •At CHF 25.00 gross, approx. CHF 23.03 net
Calculation example: CHF 25.00 gross wage
As an employer, you additionally pay your contributions (AHV 5.3%, ALV 1.1%, UVG OA, FAK). Use our gross-net calculator or the payslip generator for an exact calculation.
How much does a cleaner earn per month?
Most households think in hours, but many searchers think in monthly wages. The table shows what a typical CHF 28 per hour means per month depending on the workload: gross for registration, net for the cleaner and the total cost for you as the employer.
| Workload | Gross/month | Net/month | Employer cost/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 h/week | CHF 263 | CHF 233 | CHF 304 |
| 4 h/week | CHF 526 | CHF 466 | CHF 587 |
| 6 h/week | CHF 789 | CHF 699 | CHF 871 |
| 8 h/week | CHF 1'052 | CHF 917 | CHF 1'155 |
Assumptions: CHF 28/h gross, 8.33% holiday supplement (4 weeks) included, canton of Zurich, simplified procedure with 5% withholding tax, UVG-NBU only from 8 hours/week. Employer cost includes the Clino flat fee of CHF 19.90/month.
For exact figures for your canton and hourly rate, use the wage calculator.
Wage agreed? The next step is the employment contract
Hourly wage, working hours and holidays belong in writing. Create an employment contract for your cleaner - free, in 3 minutes, with correct AHV deductions.
What happens if the minimum wage is undercut?
The NAV for domestic work is not a guideline. It is binding. Underpaying risks back payments up to 5 years retroactively, fines, and personal liability for accidents.
Warning: Minimum wage is not a guideline
Retroactive wage claim
Your domestic worker can claim the difference to the minimum wage retroactively for up to 5 years, including holiday supplement and interest.
Fines and back payments
The compensation fund can levy back payments on social insurance contributions, calculated on the correct minimum wage.
Undeclared work risk
If social insurances are also not accounted for, this is considered undeclared work, with penalties up to CHF 10,000.
Insurance gaps
If your cleaner has an accident without UVG cover, the UVG substitute fund pays the statutory benefits and then claims substitute premiums from you for the whole period you were in breach, up to 5 years, doubled if you evaded the duty inexcusably (art. 95 UVG). A UVG policy cannot be taken out retroactively.
Tip: Register your domestic worker correctly and pay at least the NAV minimum wage. Clino automatically checks whether the entered wage meets the minimum requirements. Learn more in our step-by-step registration guide.
Currently paying through an agency? Learn how to hire your cleaner directly and insure them correctly.
When exactly must I register? - Thresholds, exceptions and deadlines.
Who works in your home?
Registration differs slightly by profile. Pick your guide:
Or go straight to your canton: Register household help - all 26 cantons
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Frequently asked questions about minimum wage for cleaners
What is the minimum wage for a cleaner in Switzerland?
The NAV domestic work sets these minimum wages (EBA graduates: same rate as experienced): CHF 20.35/hr (unskilled), CHF 22.30/hr (4+ years experience) and CHF 24.55/hr (with certificate). The highest applicable floor always wins: in 4 cantons (GE, BS, JU, NE) the cantonal minimum wage is above the NAV and governs there. Ticino also has a minimum of its own, but it is below the NAV. There the NAV keeps governing.
Which canton has the highest minimum wage?
Geneva (GE) has the highest minimum wage in Switzerland at CHF 24.59/hr. It is adjusted annually for inflation and applies to all industries. The actual market wages in Geneva are CHF 30-38/hr.
What happens if I pay less than the minimum wage?
The employee can claim the wage difference retroactively for up to 5 years. Additionally, fines and back payments from the compensation fund are possible. For undeclared work , penalties up to CHF 10,000 are possible.
Does the NAV minimum wage also apply to part-time work?
Yes, provided the job averages at least 5 hours a week in the same household (art. 2 NAV). If it does, the rate applies per hour regardless of the work percentage, so at least CHF 20.35/h is due. Below 5 hours a week the NAV does not bind. There, only a cantonal or municipal minimum wage applies, where one exists. The holiday supplement (8.33% to 13.04%) and the AHV/IV/EO and ALV contributions are due from the first hour regardless.
How do I calculate my cleaner's net wage?
From the gross wage, AHV/IV/EO (5.3%), ALV (1.1%) and if applicable NOA (1.432%) are deducted. At CHF 25/hr, this results in approx. CHF 23.03 net. Use the Clino calculator for an exact calculation incl. all cantonal specifics.
What is the typical hourly wage for a cleaner in Switzerland?
Market wages range from CHF 25 to 33 gross per hour depending on the canton, well above the legal minimum. Experience, qualifications and urban location push wages higher. See our fair wage guide and our interactive wage map for a detailed cantonal comparison.
What exactly happens if I pay below the minimum wage?
Three consequences hit you at once: (1) your cleaner can claim the wage difference including the holiday supplement and 5% default interest up to 5 years back, even after the contract has ended. (2) The compensation office recalculates the social-security contributions on the correct wage, and you owe it the full contribution, the employee's share included. (3) If the registration is missing on top of that, it counts as undeclared work (BGSA, AHVG art. 88) and is punished with a fine, capped at CHF 10,000 (StGB art. 106). The further BGSA sanctions such as exclusion from public contracts apply to companies, not private households. For you the back-payment plus interest is the expensive part.
Does the minimum wage also apply for cleaning under 8 hours per week?
The NAV minimum wage applies if the cleaner works an average of at least 5 hours per week for the same employer (Art. 2 NAV). Below that, pay is negotiable, though the NAV rates remain the fair benchmark. Regardless of hours, the following always apply: the holiday supplement (8.33-13.04%) and AHV/IV/EO/ALV contributions, even at just 2 hours per week. Non-occupational accident insurance (NBU/UVG) only kicks in from 8 hrs/week with the same employer.
What is the hourly wage for a cleaner in Zurich?
In the city of Zurich the going rate is CHF 28-33/h gross. The legal minimum depends on exactly where you live, and that is where most people get it wrong. The city of Zurich decided on a municipal minimum wage of CHF 23.90/h in 2026, and Winterthur CHF 23.00/h; the Federal Supreme Court confirmed on 12 May 2026 that both are valid. Neither is in force yet: bringing them into force is the cities' own step and no date has been published. Until then the NAV Hauswirtschaft applies across the whole canton of Zurich: CHF 20.35/h (unskilled), CHF 22.30/h (4+ years of experience or EBA) or CHF 24.55/h (with an EFZ). What counts is the place of work, i.e. your address as the employer, not where your employee lives.
Does the NAV or the GAV Cleaning Industry apply to me?
If you employ the cleaner directly in your own home, the NAV Hauswirtschaft applies (from CHF 20.35/h). If you book a cleaning company whose staff come to you, their GAV Reinigung applies (from CHF 21.40/h maintenance, CHF 23.40/h special). What matters is who the employer is, not the activity itself. What you call the job (cleaner, cleaning lady, domestic helper) makes no difference to this.
Do I have to register my cleaner with the AHV (OASI)?
Yes. As soon as you pay wages for domestic work you are an employer and must register the person with the cantonal compensation fund. There is no minimum threshold for domestic work, contributions are due from the first franc. For low wages there is the simplified accounting procedure. Without registration, the work counts as undeclared.
How much does a cleaner in Switzerland earn per month?
It depends on the workload. At the typical CHF 28 per hour and 4 hours per week, that is about CHF 526 gross per month (holiday supplement included), net about CHF 466. A full-time position (42 hours/week) at the NAV minimum comes to about CHF 3'704 gross per month; at market wages of CHF 25 to 33 per hour correspondingly more.
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Sources & further information
- 1NAV Hauswirtschaft (SR 221.215.329.4) - Minimum wages - fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2010/724/de
- 2SECO - Employment law and standard employment contracts - seco.admin.ch/seco/de/home/Arbeit/Personenfreizugigkeit_Arbeitsbeziehungen/Arbeitsrecht.html
- 3FSIO - AHV contribution rates - bsv.admin.ch/bsv/de/home/sozialversicherungen/ahv/grundlagen-gesetze/ahv-beitragssaetze.html
- 4CO - Code of Obligations (employment) - fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/27/317_321_377/de
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