Master builders increase wages even without collective agreement

The Swiss Association of Master Builders (SBC) has published the 2022 wage survey. This shows that construction workers in the main construction trade will receive an average of CHF 6,204 per month or CHF 80,652 per year in 2022. Accordingly, the wages of construction site personnel have increased by 1.5% compared to 2021. According to the SBC, this is the result of the individual, good performance of individual employees and not collective wage agreements. In 2021, inflation was 0.6%. Thus, the wage increase exceeded inflation, and purchasing power increased. Real wages had already grown in previous years.

The 2022 wage survey was conducted as of the end of February, while the previous year's survey was conducted as of the end of July. The main construction industry is seasonal, meaning that fewer people work in winter than in summer. From a statistical point of view, these different survey dates slightly increase wage growth, namely by 0.2 to 0.3 percentage points. However, this does not affect qualified personnel because there is a severe shortage of skilled workers in these occupations.

Different job profiles in construction

In the main construction trade, there are several professions that vary in terms of responsibility, but also performance and salary, the SBC further explains. Labourers in wage class C receive 4,959 francs a month, bricklayers with EFZ apprenticeship qualifications in wage class Q 6,148 francs and foremen 7,908 francs. Across Switzerland, the average wage for construction site personnel is 6,204 francs. As the cost of living varies from place to place, average wages also vary between cantons from 5,677 francs to 6,434 francs.

Continuing education as a central wage factor

The SBC goes on to say that, in addition to one's own performance, further training is the central factor for a wage increase. Further training remains the most important means of developing one's own salary, but also one's own skills and responsibilities. Through further training, one moves up to a higher wage class; such a leap pays off with an average of around 600 francs per month.

Master builders appeal to unions

Wage increases on an individual basis meet the needs of employees and employers. Wages should reward individual performance and motivate employees to undertake further training. In the eyes of master builders, this is the right way to recruit young talent and retain skilled workers. SBC therefore calls on the unions to take note of this wage increase in 2022 and to communicate it to employees in a transparent and fact-based manner. Businesses should continue to decide for themselves how they reward work performance and to what extent they compensate for inflation.

Source and further information: Swiss Association of Master Builders SBV