Wage increase after completion of the "Computer Scientist HF / Computer Scientist HF" course

Studying at a university of applied sciences for technology enables you to take on your first management position as a computer scientist HF (formerly technician HF computer science), e.g. head of an IT department. This also increases the salary level. Many newly graduated computer scientists receive a salary increase of up to 30% of their previous salary. Some are able to move to a higher position before completing their studies or start a new job later.

Where do you and your salary prospects stand as a computer scientist HF (formerly technician HF computer science)? Calculate your personal situation with the help of the federal salary calculator below, as various criteria are decisive for the exact calculation. The sector, the region, the employer, what training you have completed and how many years of professional experience you have all have an influence on the salary calculation.

We would be happy to provide you with an example of the salary for a computer scientist HF. A 29-year-old in further education earns around CHF 7,737 per month in the information technology services sector in central Switzerland. After completing the HF degree in IT, he takes on specialist and management tasks and is promoted to a higher salary group. This increases his salary to CHF 9,362.

In individual cases, the development of the salary depends on other criteria such as sector, region, company or previous education, professional experience and age of the applicant. Calculate your individual chances with the help of a salary calculator:

This is how you proceed: Click on "Salarium - statistical salary calculator" below and then on the "Calculate salary" button

  • Step 1: Enter your region / place of work (e.g. Central Switzerland)
  • Step 2: Enter your industry (e.g. 62 information technology services)
  • Step 3: Enter "Computer scientist HF" for the occupational group
  • Step 4: Position in the company - Select "Without management function"
  • Step 5: Weekly hours 42
  • Step 6: Training: Completed vocational training
  • Step 7: Enter your age (e.g. 29 years)
  • Step 8: Enter further optional information (if available and desired)

Source:Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

Note: This sample calculation refers to the data of Salarium 2023, this service is temporarily interrupted. Information can be foundhere. A list of other payroll calculator tools is availablehere.

The example salary in our calculation is CHF 7,737.00.

To calculate the salary with the completed further training, go back to "Position in company" and "Training" and select "Lower management" and "Higher vocational training / higher technical college". The new average salary as a computer scientist HF is now CHF 9,362.00.

Please note: The calculation is intended as an example for computer science HF and is always a rounded figure. As mentioned above, the salary depends on various factors and can vary considerably.

Another example of an IT technician with a federal diploma (computer scientist HF): CHF 943,000 more salary until retirement

23-year-old Robert works as an electronics technician EFZ in a large energy technology company in St. Gallen. He plans, develops and produces electronic hardware and software for devices and systems in the energy technology sector. Robert enjoys working in a team and the other team members appreciate his technical understanding, precise way of working and ability to concentrate. After accepting an order, the team clarifies the task, works out ideas, develops solutions and finally checks the function of the self-developed circuits. Robert would like to deepen his knowledge of systems engineering, application development and technical IT. He is completing further training as an IT technician so that he can then take on a project management role. He is acquiring comprehensive specialist knowledge in computer technology, business administration, mathematics, electrical engineering, software engineering, transmission technology, digital technology and project management for his federally recognized diploma as a computer scientist HF (formerly Techniker HF Informatik). Following his IT training, he is able to manage IT projects using standardized methods and processes and to plan, control and monitor resources. Thanks to the higher technical college, Robert can manage and monitor projects for complex systems as a computer scientist HF. Thanks to the specialist and management skills he has acquired, he is able to receive and analyze customer requirements and look for optimal implementations. In his new role as a computer scientist HF (formerly technician HF IT), Robert manages employees and works with specialists from other departments. As an IT technician, he has numerous opportunities for further development, for example as a system or network supervisor, product manager and support engineer. This gives Robert better earning potential, corresponding career opportunities and access to Bachelor's degree courses at universities of applied sciences.

Financial benefits of further training as an IT technician / computer scientist HF (formerly HF IT technician)

As an IT technician, Robert will receive CHF 2,105 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 943,000 more at his disposal by the time he retires than if he had not completed this further training at the Higher Technical College to become an IT technician HF.

As this theoretical calculation does not take into account any further salary increases, promotions or interest on savings, the salary can still increase significantly.

Calculation in detail

Further training as HF IT technician (new: HF IT specialist):

  • 36 months, part-time
  • Tuition fees, documents: CHF 20,700
  • Exam fee: CHF 1'900
  • Loss of earnings due to 90% occupation: CHF 19,465.20 (CHF 5,407 x 12 x 3 = CHF 194,652 / 100 x 10 = CHF 19,465.2)
  • Total training costs: CHF 42,065.20

Wage difference and yield calculation:

  • Difference in salary between the position of electronics technician EFZ and the position of IT technician (computer scientist HF): CHF 7,512 - CHF 5,407 = CHF 2,105 per month and CHF 25,260 per year (12 x CHF 2,105 = CHF 25,260)
  • He recoups the total training costs of CHF 42,065.20 in just under 20 months with his higher salary as a computer scientist HF (CHF 42,065.20 / CHF 2,105 per month = 19.9 months)
  • In the remaining 39 years until his retirement (26 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 985,140 (39 x CHF 25,260 = CHF 985,140)
  • If the training costs are deducted from this additional income, an additional sum of around CHF 943,000 remains at its disposal(CHF 985'140 - CHF 42'065.20 = CHF 943'074.80)

Sources:

  • The training costs correspond to an average of the courses offered in German-speaking Switzerland.
  • Wages were calculated in the federal wage calculator www.salarium.ch with the following settings:
  • Calculations as an EFZ electronics technicianbefore the higher technical college:
    • Region: Eastern Switzerland
    • Sector: 35 Energy supply
    • Occupational group: 74 Electricians and electronics technicians
    • 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: 50 and more 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) ofCHF 5'407
  • Calculationsafter graduating as a computer scientist HF (formerly Techniker HF Informatik):
    • Region: Eastern Switzerland
    • Sector: 35 Energy supply
    • Occupational group: 35 Information and communication technicians
    • Position in the company: Level 3+4 Lower management
    • Hours per week: 42 hours
    • Education: Higher technical college
    • Age: 26 years
    • Years of service: not specified
    • Company size: 50 and more 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) ofCHF 7'512

(All figures as at October 2022)

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Salarium - Statistischer Lohnrechner

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Overview of schools "Computer Scientist HF / Computer Scientist HF"