Switzerland · Salary
Net salary in Zurich: Swiss tax and social insurance explained
Switzerland has three levels of income tax: federal, cantonal and municipal. Each canton sets its own rates, so where you live matters a lot. A single person on CHF 100,000 in the city of Zurich keeps about CHF 6,321 a month after tax and social insurance. Health insurance still has to come out of that.
What comes off a Zurich salary
| CHF 80,000 | CHF 100,000 | CHF 150,000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AHV/IV/EO (old-age, disability, income loss), 5.3% | CHF 4,240 | CHF 5,300 | CHF 7,950 |
| Unemployment insurance (ALV), 1.1% | CHF 880 | CHF 1,100 | CHF 1,630 |
| Occupational pension (BVG), typical 6.5% | CHF 5,200 | CHF 6,500 | CHF 9,750 |
| Accident insurance (NBU), typical 1% | CHF 800 | CHF 1,000 | CHF 1,500 |
| Cantonal and city tax | CHF 6,052 | CHF 8,954 | CHF 17,202 |
| Federal tax | CHF 725 | CHF 1,292 | CHF 4,272 |
| Net per year | CHF 62,103 | CHF 75,854 | CHF 107,696 |
| Net per month (12) | CHF 5,175 | CHF 6,321 | CHF 8,975 |
Single, no children, living in the city of Zurich, no church tax, standard deductions for work costs, meals and insurance premiums, 2026 rules. Pension and accident rates depend on your employer’s plan and your age.
How Zurich tax is calculated
The canton has a progressive scale, from 0% to 13%, which gives a "simple tax". The canton and your municipality then each multiply it by their own tax multiplier (Steuerfuss). In 2026 the canton of Zurich uses 95% and the city of Zurich 119%, so you pay 2.14 times the simple tax. Members of the Reformed or Catholic church add another 10%. Other towns in the canton charge less: some lakeside municipalities are below 80%.
Federal tax has its own scale and is the same everywhere in Switzerland, rising to 11.5% at very high incomes.
Tax at source for foreign workers
If you hold a B permit, your employer deducts tax at source (Quellensteuer) from every payslip instead of you paying after a tax return. If you earn more than CHF 120,000 a year, you must file a tax return afterwards. Below that you can still request one, which is worth it if you pay into pillar 3a, have high commuting costs or support children.
What else to budget for
- Health insurance is compulsory and paid by you, not your employer. Basic cover in Zurich typically costs CHF 300 to 500 a month for an adult, depending on the insurer, model and deductible.
- Pillar 3a. Paying up to CHF 7,258 a year into a pillar 3a account cuts your tax. See our guide to pillar 3a.
- Salary paid 13 times. Many Swiss employers pay a 13th salary in December. Check whether your offer is per year or per month times 13.
Calculate your Zurich net salary →
Sources
This guide is general information based on the tax rules we could verify for 2026, not tax or financial advice. Rules change and personal situations differ, so check with the tax authority or a qualified adviser before you act. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].