Hourly Rate Calculator for Cleaners - What You Should Really Earn
You clean homes and want to know if you earn enough? This calculator tells you in 30 seconds what your fair hourly rate is - based on your canton, experience and skills. No more guessing.
In short
The statutory minimum wage (NAV for domestic work) sets three tiers. A fair market rate sits clearly above that, depending on your canton:
Legal minimum (NAV)
- CHF 20.35no training
- CHF 22.304+ years experience
- CHF 24.55with EFZ / certificate
Fair market value
CHF 25–31/h
depending on canton
+0.50 CHF / max +3.00 CHF
Trust bonus for long-term clients
You should charge
CHF 28.15
per hour
Range: CHF 25.90 - 32.37
How your rate is built
NAV min.
CHF 22.30
Canton avg
CHF 29.00
Your rate
CHF 28.15
You could earn +1.50 CHF/hour
Start free certificate (30 min) →By the way: what your wage really costs your employer is shown by the employer cost calculator.
What do cleaners in Switzerland really earn?
The truth: many cleaners earn far less than they should. The NAV Hauswirtschaft (legal minimum wage for private households) sets three clear categories:
Unqualified
CHF 20.35/h
Starting rate, no prior experience. This is the absolute minimum - never accept less.
Experienced (4+ years)
CHF 22.30/h
With 4 years of experience you are legally entitled to at least this rate. Many employers don't know - you do.
EFZ / Certified
CHF 24.55/h
With an official qualification (Fachfrau Hauswirtschaft EFZ, Fachausweis) you are a skilled professional. Your value is higher.
Five cantons have an even higher cantonal minimum wage: Geneva (CHF 24.59), Neuchatel (CHF 21.35), Jura (CHF 21.40), Basel-Stadt (CHF 22.20) and Ticino (CHF 20.00). Whichever is higher always applies.
On an hourly wage you also get holiday compensation on top — usually 8.33%.
How the Clino Certificate gets you +1.50 CHF per hour
A certificate is more than paper. It tells your client: this cleaner knows hygiene standards. She knows which product fits which surface. She is professionally trained.
That's why you can charge 1.50 CHF more per hour. At 10 hours a week that's 60 CHF more per month. 720 CHF more per year. For around 40 minutes of learning.
The Clino Certificate - free, in around 40 minutes
- 6 modules (your rights, safety, communication, cleaning, your future, conflict & help)
- Available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, English
- Downloadable PDF to show your client
Cleaning & Household
The classic: rights, safety and pro techniques for cleaners.
- ~40 min
- in your language
- PDF certificate with QR code
The 7 biggest mistakes when negotiating your rate
1. You name your price first
Always ask first what the client is willing to pay. Whoever names a number first loses the negotiation.
2. You accept 'I won't pay more'
That's a bluff. The client chose you - switching costs them time and risk. Stick to your price.
3. You work under-the-table because 'the net is more'
Wrong. Without registration you lose pension, accident insurance and sick pay. In 10 years you'll miss thousands of francs.
4. You don't ask for a written contract
Without a contract you can be fired overnight. With a contract you have notice protection, paid holidays and sick pay.
5. You don't count commute time
If you travel 30 minutes each way for 2 hours of work, you actually earn only 2/3 of your hourly rate.
6. You bring your own supplies - for free
Products, cloths and vacuum cleaners cost money. If you use your own, charge +0.50 CHF/h.
7. You never raise your rate
A yearly raise of 0.50-1.00 CHF is completely normal. Inflation and growing experience justify it.
What if the client says no? Exact scripts
Three real situations and exactly what you can say. Stay friendly, but firm.
More tips, templates and help are on Clino for cleaners.
Situation 1: New client asks your price
My hourly rate is CHF 28. It covers my work, my experience and the social insurance deduction. If I bring my own supplies, it's +0.50 CHF.
State a round number, justify it briefly, and leave space for yes or no.
Situation 2: Long-term client, you want a raise
Hi [Name], I want to let you know that from next month my rate will be CHF 29 instead of 27. It's my first increase in 2 years. I hope we can keep working together - I enjoy cleaning for you.
Advance notice (1 month), brief reason, warm tone. 80% of clients say yes.
Situation 3: Client says 'too expensive'
I understand. My prices match the official NAV rate for experienced household workers in our canton. I can't go lower, because then my pension and accident insurance wouldn't be covered.
You show: I'm informed. I know what's legal. I don't negotiate below the law.
Hourly rate by canton - market benchmarks
Prices vary a lot between cantons. Here are the top 12 cantons with the highest average rate for household help:
Hourly rate by canton
26 cantonsThe typical market average per canton — and where the legal minimum sits.
Average = real market prices (BFS SAKE). Minimum = the higher of the NAV minimum wage (experienced) and the cantonal minimum wage. Guideline values, not a wage guarantee.
Source: BFS SAKE data, SECO NAV 2025/2026, cantonal minimum wages. Average = real market prices, not legal minimum.
Registered vs. under-the-table - what you really earn
Black work looks like more in the short term. Long term, it's a disaster. Direct comparison:
| Under-the-table (CHF 28/h) | Registered (CHF 28/h) | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross hourly rate | 28.00 | 28.00 |
| Social deductions (6.4%) | 0 | -1.79 |
| Net hourly rate | 28.00 | 26.21 |
| Future AHV pension | Nothing | Yes, depending on years |
| Accident insurance | No | Yes (UVG) |
| Sick pay | No | Possible (KTG) |
| Penalty if caught | Up to CHF 10'000 + back-pay | 0 |
Undeclared vs. registered
At about 10 hrs/week, over 10 years. Undeclared you build nothing — registered, your protection grows year after year.
Undeclared
CHF 0
nothing built up, no protection
Registered
CHF 0
built up for your protection over 10 years
Illustrative, simplified: CHF 28/h × 10 hrs/week, 6.4% social deduction (as in the comparison above), over 10 years. Actual pension and insurance entitlements depend on your contribution years and wage.
Registered you actually earn only 1.80 CHF/h less - but gain pension, accident protection and legal rights. It's the best deal of your life.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the legal minimum wage for cleaners in Switzerland 2026?
The NAV Hauswirtschaft sets three minimums nationwide: CHF 20.35/h (unqualified), CHF 22.30/h (4+ years experience), CHF 24.55/h (with EFZ/certification). Five cantons have a higher cantonal minimum (GE, NE, JU, BS, TI). The higher of the two always applies.
Can I charge more than the minimum?
Yes, absolutely. The NAV rate is the floor - not the ceiling. Average market rates in most cantons are CHF 25-31/h. With experience, a certificate and extra services you can easily charge CHF 30+/h.
What does a certificate really do?
An official certificate (like the Clino certificate) shows you know hygiene, chemistry, safety and rights. Clients pay on average 1.50-3.00 CHF more per hour to certified cleaners. The Clino certificate is free and ready in around 40 minutes.
Does my client have to register me?
Yes. Once you clean for a private household, your client is your employer and must register you with AHV. Up to CHF 22'680/year per employer the simplified procedure applies (5% flat tax). Clino handles it automatically for CHF 19.90/month.
How do I raise my rate with existing clients?
Give 1 month notice. Short, friendly WhatsApp or SMS. Justification: 'first raise in X years' or 'inflation / new training'. Most clients accept +0.50 to +2.00 CHF without pushback.
What if a client wants to pay cash under the table?
Calmly explain: 'I only work registered, because I need pension, accident insurance and sick pay.' If they refuse, leave. Better clients exist. In five minutes you'll have 20 new inquiries on Clino or household-help sites.
Sources
- SECO - NAV Hauswirtschaft minimum wages 2025/2026: seco.admin.ch
- BFS - Swiss Labour Force Survey (SAKE): bfs.admin.ch
- Canton Geneva - Cantonal minimum wage: ge.ch
- Canton Neuchatel - Cantonal minimum wage: ne.ch
- Canton Jura - Cantonal minimum wage: jura.ch
- Canton Basel-Stadt - Cantonal minimum wage: bs.ch
- Canton Ticino - Cantonal minimum wage: ti.ch
- BSV - AHV contributions: bsv.admin.ch
Read more
Note: All figures are based on official SECO NAV rates 2025/2026 and BFS SAKE average data. Your actual wage depends on employer, market and negotiation. The calculator is a guideline, not a wage guarantee.
Last update: 18 April 2026
