Wage increase after completion of the naturopathic practitioner course (AFPE)
Naturopaths (AFPE) usually earn a higher salary after completing the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE). This can beup to 30 % higherbe. For manyhowever, the salary already increases during the training,which also includes a high practical component up to the diploma examination.
Important criteria for determining wages
Calculate your personal salary prospects for a new role as a naturopath (AFPE). Please note: In individual cases, the development of the salary depends on the specific point in time and other criteria such as industry, region, company or previous training, professional experience and age of the applicant.
We have calculated a concrete example for you using the federal government's salary calculator. It shows a 23-year-old with a high school diploma in the canton of Uri who is studying to become a naturopath with a federal diploma in TCM.
Click on "Salarium - statistical wage calculator" under Source and then on the "Calculate wages" button:
- Step 1: Enter your region / place of work (e.g. Central Switzerland)
- Step 2: Enter your sector (for naturopaths 86 Healthcare)
- Step 3: Enter "Naturopath" in the occupational group field and the following will appear: 22. specialists in health professions
- Step 4: Position in the company - select "Without management function"
- Step 5: Weekly hours 42
- Step 6: Education: Enter your previous education here (in the example "Matura")
- Step 7: Enter your age (e.g. 23)
- Step 8: Enter the company size of your prospective employer (in the example 50 and more employees)
- Step 9: Enter the other optional details (in the example: 0 years of service, 13th monthly salary (converted proportionally to 12 salaries), no special payments and monthly salary)
Source: "Federal Statistical Office, FSO"
Note: This sample calculation refers to the data from Salarium (beginning of 2026). You can find informationhere. A list of other payroll calculator tools is availablehere.
The example salary in our calculation is CHF 5,891 per month.
Now go back to "Training" and select "Higher vocational training", resulting in a new average salary of CHF 6,370. If a new appointment is made in lower management (change "Position in company" to "Level 3+4: Lower management"), the salary increases to CHF 6,890.
Note: The figures you get here are statistical averages. This means that your actual future salary may differ slightly - but you can get an idea of where it will be.
Example of a naturopath with a federal diploma: CHF 1.18 million more salary until retirement
Alexandra works as an optician Federal VET Diploma in an eyewear store in Emmen. The 23-year-old really enjoys her work advising customers on eyewear. Alexandra sells glasses, lenses and optical devices in the specialist store. Based on the glasses prescription issued by the ophthalmologist, qualified optician or optometrist UAS and the customer's wishes, she shows them different options for visual aids. Alexandra looks for suitable models if the customer wants glasses. During the consultation, she lists the advantages and disadvantages of possible variants and materials. Once the right model has been found, Alexandra measures the interpupillary distance and records the necessary data for the strength of the lenses. She also advises customers on the type of lenses to choose. Once the ordered semi-finished lenses have been delivered, Alexandra centers and processes them using the computer-controlled grinding machine. She then fits the lenses into the frame. When the glasses are handed over, Alexandra makes the final adjustment to the customer's fit so that the glasses sit pressure-free. Through her work, she has taken a liking to the healthcare sector and would like to become a naturopath. With a three-year full-time course in Traditional European Naturopathy (TEN), Alexandra is developing into a specialist in the healthcare sector. As a naturopath, she treats and supports sick people or prevents illness at an early stage through her work. With her federal diploma, she helps patients to overcome crises and stressful situations and to recover. Alexandra takes a medical history to determine physical complaints and symptoms, as well as lifestyle habits and mental state. Through therapy in traditional European naturopathy, she stimulates the patient's self-healing powers and helps them to improve their health behavior. If necessary, Alexandra also refers patients to other doctors or health professionals. In addition to her Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE), her studies have greatly increased her salary and job opportunities. Alexandra now has numerous new development opportunities for the future.
Financial benefits of continuing education, further training as a naturopath
As a naturopath, Alexandra will receive CHF 3,113 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 1.18 million more at her disposal by the time she retires than if she had not taken this continuing education, further training and Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE).
As this theoretical calculation does not take into account any further salary increases, promotions or interest on savings, the salary can still increase significantly.
Continuing education, further training as a naturopath TEN AFPE: CHF 164,709
- 3 years, full-time study
- School fees, documents: CHF 51,191 minus CHF 10,500 federal contribution = CHF 40,691
- Examination fees: CHF 10'950
- Loss of earnings during the three years of full-time study: CHF 112,068 (3,113 x 12 x 3)
- Total training costs: CHF 164,709
Salary difference and return on investment calculation "Naturopath (AFPE)": CHF 1,180,000
- Difference in salary between the position as an optician Federal VET Diploma and the position as a naturopath TEN: CHF 7,342 - CHF 4,229 = CHF 3,113 per month and CHF 37,356 per year (12 x CHF 3,113 = CHF 37,356)
- She recoups the total training costs of CHF 201,596 in just over 4 years with her higher salary as a naturopath TEN (CHF 164,709 / CHF 37,356 per year = 4.4 years)
- In the remaining 36 years until their retirement (29 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 1,344,816 (36 x CHF 37,356 = CHF 1,344,816)
- If the training costs are deducted from this additional income, an additional sum of around CHF 1,180,000 remains at its disposal(CHF 1'344'816 - CHF 164'709 = CHF 1'180'107)
The training costs correspond to an average of the "Naturopath (AFPE)" courses offered in German-speaking Switzerland.
The wages were calculated in the federal wage calculatorwww.salarium.chwith the following settings:
Calculations as an optician Federal VET Diploma before the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE): CHF 4,229
- Region: Central Switzerland
- Sector: 47 Retail trade
- Occupational group: 32 Healthcare assistants
- Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
- Hours per week: 42 hours
- Education: completed vocational training
- Age: 23 years
- Years of service: not specified
- Company size: Less than 20 employees
- 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
- Special payments: no
- Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
- Result: Central value (median) of CHF 4,229
Calculations according to the Advanced Federal Professional Examination "Naturopath (AFPE)": CHF 7,342
- Region: Central Switzerland
- Industry: 86 Healthcare
- Occupational group: 32 Healthcare assistants
- Position in the company: Level 1+2 Upper and middle management
- Hours per week: 42 hours
- Education: Higher vocational training
- Age: 26 years
- Years of service: not specified
- Company size: Less than 20 employees
- 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
- Special payments: no
- Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
- Result: Central value (median) of CHF 7,342
(All figures as at November 2022)
Find an educational institute that offers the "Naturopath (AFPE)" course here:
