Upskilling as a Cleaner - Earn More with Certificates
You earn CHF 20.35 per hour and wonder how to get more out of it? The answer: further training. With a federal qualification you move up to a higher NAV wage level - and even a good certificate brings you more trust and a better hourly wage. We compared all the paths: what they cost, what they really get you and which one is worth it.
Key takeaways
- 1The NAV has 3 wage levels - but only an EBA/EFZ or 4+ years of experience raise your statutory minimum wage (CHF 20.35 - 22.30 - 24.55).
- 2Courses and certificates (Wetrok from CHF 995, online from CHF 85, Clino free) do not raise the level, but bring you trust and more pay with clients.
- 3The EFZ Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft brings you to the highest level (CHF 24.55/h) - over CHF 4'000 more per year.
- 4Financing is not an obstacle: federal, cantonal, and employer contributions cover costs.
Career Calculator
Find out how much more you earn with the next level.
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How to reach the next level:
- 1Demonstrate 4 years of professional experience in housekeeping (e.g. with employer references)
- 2Or: Complete the EBA in housekeeping (2-year apprenticeship)
- 3Good to know: courses (e.g. SRC, OdA) strengthen your profile but do not change the NAV level
More trust
Clients prefer to choose someone who works cleanly and professionally.
More pay
Better technique and a certificate justify a higher hourly wage.
Higher wage level
Only a federal qualification (EBA/EFZ) raises your statutory minimum wage.
Which path suits you?
Choose your goal - we'll show you the right path.
What best describes you?
Why upskilling pays off for you
Wages in housekeeping are regulated by the NAV (standard employment contract). The higher your qualification, the higher your minimum wage level. This is not a vague recommendation - it is the law.
Specifically: the jump from the lowest level (unskilled) to the middle level (with 4 years of professional experience or an EBA) brings you CHF 1.95 more per hour - from CHF 20.35 to CHF 22.30. At 20 hours per week, that is over CHF 2'000 more per year. And with the EFZ you move up to CHF 24.55/h - together over CHF 4'000 extra per year.
On top of that: Qualified workers get recommended more often, land more stable positions, and have more room to negotiate wages.
Qualified workers get recommended more often, land more stable positions, and have more room to negotiate wages.
The 3 NAV levels explained simply
The NAV Hauswirtschaft divides workers into three wage categories:
Level C - No qualification
Minimum wage CHF 20.35/h. Applies to everyone without training or experience in housekeeping.
Level B - With experience or EBA
Minimum wage CHF 22.30/h. You reach it with at least 4 years of professional experience in housekeeping or a Federal Vocational Certificate (EBA). A short course alone is not enough for that.
Level A - With EFZ
Minimum wage CHF 24.55/h. The requirement is the EFZ as Hospitality & Housekeeping Specialist (Fachfrau/Fachmann Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft) or an equivalent qualification.
Info
Important: Your employer must pay you at least the wage of your level. This is the law, not negotiable.
Without training
- •CHF 20.35/h minimum wage (Level C)
- •Less negotiating power
- •Limited job options
- •Few career advancement opportunities
With training
- •Up to CHF 24.55/h minimum wage (with EFZ)
- •Strong negotiating position
- •Access to care and management positions
- •Career path to Operations Manager HF
Courses and certificates: which one is worth it?
There are many courses and certificates. Most do not raise your NAV wage level - but they make you visibly more professional, and that is exactly what pays off in wage negotiations and with new clients:
Hands-on cleaning courses (Wetrok, putzkurs.com)
Providers like the Wetrok Academy (CHF 995, 3 days), putzkurs.com or Multimondo offer practical cleaning courses with a certificate. They do not raise your NAV level, but they improve your technique and your profile - ideal for more demanding clients and a higher hourly wage.
OdA Hauswirtschaft - Modular courses
The professional organization for housekeeping offers modular training. You can complete individual modules and build competencies step by step. Ideal if you want to learn alongside work.
First aid courses
No direct impact on the NAV level, but very valuable: First aid certificates make you more attractive for care jobs (elderly, children) and can lead to higher wages.
Tipp
Tip: Ask your municipality or cantonal employment office about current course offerings. Subsidized places are often available.
Recognised providers & sources
Wetrok Academy
OdA Hauswirtschaft
Allpura
ZPK Reinigung| Course | Cost | Recognition |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Cleaner Certificate (Clino Akademie) | Free | Free certificate |
| Online cleaning course | approx. CHF 85 | Provider certificate |
| Hands-on cleaning course | CHF 250-500 | Provider certificate |
| Fundamentals of maintenance cleaning | CHF 995 | Industry certificate |
| Practitioner Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EBA | Apprenticeship paid; adults often free | Federally recognised |
| Specialist Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EFZ | Adults ~CHF 3'780, often subsidised | Federally recognised |
| Reinigungstechnik EFZ / EBA (building cleaning) | Apprenticeship paid | Federally recognised |
| Allpura specialist cleaning courses | Cheaper for members | Industry certificate |
| Free online course (Alison) | Free | Provider certificate |
All paths compared
Here is the whole landscape at a glance - sorted from the free entry point to the federal qualification. We checked every provider and verified the prices at the official source.
Professional Cleaner Certificate (Clino Akademie)
Clino
For: Free entry & knowing your rights
Online cleaning course
e.g. Zertifizierte Reinigungskraft
For: Learn cheaply & flexibly
Hands-on cleaning course
putzkurs.com / Multimondo
For: Practise proper technique
Fundamentals of maintenance cleaning
Wetrok Academy
For: Professional technique (often for companies)
Practitioner Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EBA
Federal vocational training
For: First vocational qualification
Specialist Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EFZ
Federal vocational training (also catch-up route)
For: Highest pay & career
Reinigungstechnik EFZ / EBA (building cleaning)
Federal vocational training / Allpura
For: Professional cleaning in companies
Allpura specialist cleaning courses
Allpura
For: Professionals in cleaning companies
Free online course (Alison)
Alison
For: Basics in English, worldwide
The most important point, honestly: a short course or an online certificate does NOT raise your statutory minimum wage. Only a federal qualification (EBA/EFZ) or 4+ years of professional experience move you up to the next wage level in the NAV Hauswirtschaft (CHF 20.35 → 22.30 → 24.55). Courses and certificates are still worth it - they build trust, bring you more clients and are your best argument for a wage ABOVE the minimum.
Where does Clino Akademie fit in? Honestly placed
We belong in this comparison ourselves - so we place ourselves fairly. The Professional Cleaner Certificate from Clino Akademie is a free online course with a certificate. It is strong when it comes to:
- ✓showing quickly and at no cost that you work professionally,
- ✓refreshing the basics on safety, cleaning products and hygiene,
- ✓knowing your rights as an employee (minimum wage, insurance, contract).
But let's be honest: our certificate is not a federal qualification and does not raise your NAV wage level. See it as the perfect first step - free, fast, risk-free - which you then complement with a hands-on course or an apprenticeship if you want more.
Our recommendation
Start fast & free
Take the free Clino course and know your rights. It costs nothing and is an instant trust signal for new clients.
Earn more with clients
A hands-on course (putzkurs.com, Wetrok) improves your technique and justifies a higher hourly wage - even without the NAV level changing.
Real career & higher minimum wage
Only the federal apprenticeship (EBA/EFZ Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft) raises your statutory wage level - often subsidised or free for adults.
EFZ Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft: the path to the highest level
The Federal Vocational Certificate (EFZ) is the highest basic vocational qualification in this field (since the 2023 reform officially Fachfrau/Fachmann Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft EFZ). It is the only course-based path that brings you to the highest NAV wage level.
- ●Duration: 3 years (regular) or 2 years (shortened for adults)
- ●Content: Nutrition, cleaning, laundry, guest care, administration
- ●Cost: School materials approx. CHF 1,000-2,000 (school attendance is free)
For adults, there are special programs: If you already have 5+ years of experience, you can shorten the training or go directly to the final exam (Art. 32 BBV).
Start as a cleaner (Level C)
You start without qualification at the minimum wage of CHF 20.35/h.
4 years of experience or EBA
With 4 years of professional experience in housekeeping or a Federal Vocational Certificate (EBA) you reach Level B.
Move up to Level B (CHF 22.30/h)
Your employer must now pay you at least CHF 22.30/h - that is the law.
EFZ Hotellerie-Hauswirtschaft
In 2-3 years you earn the Federal Certificate of Proficiency - also possible alongside work.
Level A reached (CHF 24.55/h)
With the EFZ you reach the highest NAV level. After that, the Operations Manager HF path is open to you.
And after that? With the EFZ, you can further train as a Housekeeping Operations Manager HF. This qualifies you for management positions in care homes, hotels, or hospitals - with correspondingly higher wages.
Language skills = more money
German (or French/Italian, depending on the region) is the key to better-paid positions. Those who speak the local language well are preferred for hiring and can:
- ✓Communicate directly with clients
- ✓Take on care tasks (elderly, children)
- ✓Handle more complex tasks (shopping, organization)
- ✓Qualify for management positions
FIDE language courses
FIDE language courses are specifically designed for migrants. They teach everyday language skills - exactly what you need on the job. Many cantons offer these courses free or heavily subsidized.
Inquire at your municipality about the integration program. In most cantons, you are entitled to free or discounted language courses.
How to finance your training
Money should not be an obstacle. Switzerland offers numerous funding options:
Federal contributions (higher vocational training)
For preparatory courses for federal exams, the government covers up to 50% of course costs (max. CHF 9,500 for professional exams). This also applies to the housekeeping professional exam.
Cantonal scholarships
Each canton has its own scholarship system. Requirements and amounts vary, but it is always worth applying.
Education vouchers
Some cantons (e.g. Bern, Fribourg) offer education vouchers for basic competencies - including housekeeping and language courses.
Employer contribution
Talk to your employer. Many are willing to contribute to course costs - especially if the training directly improves the quality of their service.
First point of contact: Your canton's career guidance center (BIZ). The consultation is free.
Frequently asked questions
How much more do I earn with further training?▾
Does a cleaning course raise my minimum wage?▾
Can I do the EFZ training alongside work?▾
Who pays for my training?▾
Is a language course financially worth it?▾
Salvador Jovells
Founder of Clino
My honest opinion
Don't pay for expensive certificates that don't raise your wage level. Start for free with the Clino certificate, and if you want to earn more with clients, a hands-on course is worth it.
Only the federal apprenticeship (EBA/EFZ) really raises your statutory minimum wage - and as an adult it is often free. And always make sure you are employed correctly.
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