[bob_roboto]

I've heard this magical number of 45k for software engineers a lot since I came to London. I'm on 60k, without being overly specialised and not working for the financial industry either. Most of the jobs that are being sent to me by recruiters say 60k-80k so I really don't know where these 45k jobs are? I'd really like to know. Having said that, being Swiss, the salaries in London still make me angry. At home I'll get 90k-100k (GBP) and taxes in Zurich are half of what they are in London. All things considered I made twice as much as here. On the plus side you get to live in a pretty cool city which is nice while you are still young and don't have any responsibilities.

[antouank]

Really? You think you can "easily" get 90-100k and also pay less taxes than in the UK? Sounds exciting. Can you point me to those jobs?

( I'm seriously asking, want to know where to go after I leave the UK )

Also, look at contracting in the UK. Tax is less than 20%, and day rates can go pretty high if you learn how and where to look.

[bob_roboto]

If you have a degree and 3+ years of experience, you'll find a lot of these. Just check on Glassdoor, it lists the average as 90k GBP. From the top of my head the following should pay above average

Finance: UBS, Credit Suisse, Swiss Re

Consulting/Services providers: Deloite, IPT, TI&M, Even Accenture pays decent if you have a few years of experience, Stemford Consultants (that's more contracting though, but pay is certainly more than 100k)

Tech: Google, Microsoft, Swisscom, Avaloq (the last two are arguably not tech :p)

My problem with contracting is that it's often not too interesting and I also really appreciate a good social work environment. If I can have both, I'm in.

[praulv]

Out of interest, what makes you think UBS is above average? I interviewed there recently and the emphasis was "our benefits are remote working and life work balance" - which is HR speak for low salary (though I do appreciate both).

[bob_roboto]

I really don't like UBS, but my friends there all make +/- 120k CHF (might be that my conception is wrong though and that is average). In addition to that they get to "buy" up to two weeks of vacation which means they can go away for 7 weeks a year (plus whatever overtime they can compensate).

[praulv]

To be clear, I meant UBS in London - I assume you're referring to UBS Zurich. It's quite common for Zurich offices to have a +20% cost of living adjustment vs London, so that figure equates about 80k GBP adjusted which is about in line with what most IB perm devs will make.

[antouank]

Sites like glassdoor are a bit misleading in my experience.

Is there any website to look for Swiss tech jobs specifically?

And what's the tax story there in a few words?

[bob_roboto]

To be honest I never had to actively look for a job so I don't know where to look. I grew up, studied and worked there until I moved to London so I was always approached for jobs.

If you have an income of 120k you can deduct something like 10k so you'll be taxed on 110k which would lead to 20k taxes (in Zurich... other places have lower/higher taxes) Mind you, health insurance is not included and will be another 3k-4k (for a young male). If you have kids taxes will be lower. (all in CHF)

[nikon]

Tax is only "less than 20%" if you pay yourself less than 40k. You can easily end up paying 40%+ with the dividend tax, unless you're less than honest with your expenses.

[wikibob]

Can you share your thoughts on where and how to look?

[bob_roboto]

I don't know where to look since I never had to. Personally I would stay away from the financial industry. Most jobs include politics, frequent restructuring, mediocre tech, etc... the ususal. (They have their perks too, see above answer).

There are some companies that came out of ETH/UZH like Scandid or Teralytics. Lately there have been quite a few fintech and blockchain startups but you never know how long they're around for. And then there is Google, of course. But generally I have to say that one of the reasons I came to London is because there is A LOT more tech here. The majority of the software engineering jobs in Zurich are in some way or another connected to the financial industry.

[Nursie]

Outside of London £45k is towards the higher end. I do see posts in Hampshire at the 60-70 level, but then I also see people trying to hire 'senior' staff for 30k.

I have no doubt that those posts get filled too, and that the company gets someone poorly skilled with low output. And then they think that's what development staff are and never raise their expectations or salaries...

[UK-AL]

45k is high end not in London.