Pay by Role
Switzerland · Salary comparison

Registered Nurse vs Surgeon salary

In Switzerland, a surgeon earns about 239% more than a registered nurse $506,617 vs $149,514 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default; source data is CHF). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Healthcare
Registered Nurse
$149,514/yr
Monthly
$12,480
Hourly
$72
Range
$109,108$198,816
10-yr outlook
+6%
Pays more
Healthcare
Surgeon
$506,617/yr
Monthly
$42,259
Hourly
$243
Range
$324,235$729,528
10-yr outlook
+3%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileRegistered NurseSurgeon
Entry (10th)$109,108$324,235
25th$129,373$415,426
Median$149,514$506,617
75th$174,227$618,073
Senior (90th)$198,816$729,528

National Switzerland figures in CHF. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Healthcare comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a registered nurse or surgeon earn more in Switzerland?
A surgeon earns more, at about CHF 410'000 per year vs CHF 121'000 for a registered nurse — roughly 239% (CHF 289'000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in Switzerland?
A registered nurse typically earns CHF 88'300–CHF 160'900, while a surgeon earns CHF 262'400–CHF 590'400 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in Switzerland?
On a monthly basis before tax, a registered nurse averages about CHF 10'100 and a surgeon about CHF 34'200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in Switzerland, a registered nurse earns about CHF 88'300 while a surgeon earns about CHF 262'400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in Switzerland, a registered nurse earns about CHF 160'900 while a surgeon earns about CHF 590'400 per year.
Are registered nurse and surgeon similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Healthcare category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.