Self-employed male doctors earn on average 25% more than female self-employed doctors, according to the latest statistics from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Doctors who undertook surgery are also bigger earners, the pre-pandemic statistics showed.
“Despite taking into account key explanatory factors, such as the speciality or volume of work, a male physician’s income in 2019 was on average 25% higher than that of a female physician,” observed the FSO in a statement on FridayExternal link.
The wage gap between the sexes is above the Swiss-wide average of 19% across all professional sectors.
The Swiss Medical Association said on FridayExternal link that the “significant” difference meant that the annual median wage of a self-employed male doctor was CHF192,515 ($211,042) in 2019, but for a female doctor, it was CHF124,906.
Surgery
Overall, the FSO found that half of self-employed doctors earned more than CHF162,000 in 2019 (median annual net income).
Doctors performing surgery (including, for example ear, nose and throat specialists, and ophthalmologists) had the highest median income at CHF266,000, while psychiatrists had the lowest at CHF108,000. Primary health care professionals made CHF172,000 a year, the statistics found.
Whether a doctor worked additionally as an attending physician in a hospital or clinic or had a practice pharmacy were also factors in generating higher median annual net incomes, the FSO said.
Study: high pollen concentrations increase blood pressure
This content was published on
A high concentration of pollen can increase blood pressure in allergy sufferers, according to a Swiss study. The effect is much more pronounced in women and people who are overweight.
New asylum regulations come into effect in Switzerland
This content was published on
Several asylum-related changes come into effect in Switzerland on June 1 aimed at improving the employment and housing situations of refugees.
Swiss unions call for CHF5,000 monthly salary for qualified apprentices
This content was published on
All workers who have completed an apprenticeship should earn at least CHF5,000 per month, the Swiss Trade Union Federation said on Friday.
Flooding risks in parts of Switzerland and Germany after heavy rains
This content was published on
There is a significant risk of flooding on the River Rhine from Lake Constance to Basel and on the Thur River in canton Thurgau in eastern Switzerland.
Switzerland to intensify border checks during sporting events
This content was published on
In the context of events including the European Football Championships and the summer Olympics, border security will be increased.
Integration of Credit Suisse into UBS now complete
This content was published on
Credit Suisse AG was formally integrated into UBS AG on Friday, with the former being subsequently deleted from Canton Zurich's commercial register.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Gender pay gap gets worse in Switzerland
This content was published on
On average, women were paid 19% less than male counterparts in the same job in 2018 compared to an 18.1% discrepancy in 2014. The latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) cover a period of intense public and political debate about the issue, which culminated in a new law in December 2018. Companies with…
This content was published on
Two-thirds of doctors’ surgeries in Switzerland expect to end the year with financial losses as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
This content was published on
Almost three quarters of new doctors in Switzerland studied abroad, statistics reveal, showing the health system's reliance on foreign doctors.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.