Press Release
Lucerne, 13.11.2025 – The largest Purchasing Salary Report 2025 for the DACH region, by purchasing and supply chain consultancy Kloepfel by EPSA, sheds light on developments in the Swiss purchasing world and what factors pay off financially. In close cooperation with procure.ch, the Swiss professional association for purchasing and supply management, extensive data from Switzerland was collected for the first time. 718 specialists from purchasing and supply chain fully answered the questionnaire, offering detailed insights into remuneration, positions, satisfaction, qualifications, and success metrics. The following salary figures have been rounded up for clarity.
Position determines income – from entry-level to CPO
Höhere Hierarchieebenen gehen mit höheren Gehältern einher: Das mittlere Jahresgehalt beträgt 127.000 CHF. Operative Einkäufer erhalten durchschnittlich 88.000 CHF, strategische 114.000 CHF und Einkaufsleiter 141.000 CHF – ein Karrieresprung mit bis zu 60 % Gehaltssteigerung. CPOs toppen die Liste mit 193.000 CHF im Schnitt.
Industry dominates – public sector pays best
53 % der Befragten sind in der Industrie tätig, wo die Gehälter nahe am Gesamtdurchschnitt liegen. Am besten zahlen öffentlichen Verwaltung und staatsnahe Unternehmen.
Mechanical engineering prominently represented – Medical technology leads salaries
A third of industry representatives come from mechanical engineering. The top salaries are in medical technology, as well as in chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Strategic buyers there sometimes receive 25 % more than the average of all respondents.
IT/Telecoms leading – Healthcare trailing
In the service sector, IT/telecommunications lead the ranking with +16 %. Hospitals and clinics, on the other hand, fall by about 13 % below the average of all participants.
Commodity trading at the top - specialised trade at the bottom
Trading shows significant differences: technical trading is below average, while commodity traders achieve top salaries.
Increased turnover – higher salary
In high-revenue companies, buyers naturally earn significantly more – up to 41% more for the same position. For purchasing managers, the range varies from CHF 118,000 to 170,000 depending on turnover. Larger purchasing volumes mean more responsibility – and better pay.
Experience increases salary – with limits
Salaries increase with professional experience. Operational buyers earn over 50 %, strategists around 34 %, and purchasing managers 42 %. After 30 years of experience, there is a slight decrease.
Full-time is the norm – part-time with a pay gap
88 % work full-time. Part-time employees receive an average of 18 % less, mainly due to their employment level.
Performance monitoring leads to higher earnings
Without measuring success, buyers earn 12% less. Strategic areas such as ESG, digitalisation, or risks are particularly rewarded and are typical for better-paid positions.
Better education – better pay
Höhere Qualifikationen lohnen: Mit einer höheren Berufsbildung wie dem eidg. Fachausweis verdienen Einkäufer im Schnitt um 8 % mehr als mit einer reinen Berufsausbildung, mit HFP und eidg. Diplom liegt das Plus sogar bei rund 30 %. Auch Exekutivkurse und Uni-Abschlüsse übertreffen klar den Durchschnitt.
Further training is common – and lucrative
79 %have furthered their education. Frequently: HFP with federal diploma (25 %), federal certificate (18 %), and CAS (14 %). This has a direct impact on income.
Specialisation pays off – especially in indirect procurement
Managers in indirect procurement earn 20 % more than in direct procurement. Specialised strategists and lead buyers benefit greatly from their focus.
Direct purchasing predominant – Capital goods top
62 % buy direct materials. Investment goods bring above-average salaries, project procurement slightly more, and trade goods a little less.
Gender Pay Gap persists – dependent on position
Women earn on average 19 % less, particularly in vaguely defined, highly paid roles. The gap is smaller, but still present, in operational and strategic positions.
Satisfaction with opportunities boosts salary
Those who see good development opportunities at work (e.g. promotion, further training) earn on average 19 % more than those who see no prospects. This connection is particularly evident in operational purchasing: those who perceive prospects there are more likely to move into a better-paid job.
More responsibility, overtime – higher salary
More overtime comes with higher earnings: 90 % of CPOs work over 3 hours extra weekly. With intensive overtime, salaries rise from CHF 112,000 to CHF 165,000.
Overtime often uncompensated – or taken as time off in lieu
32 % receive no compensation, 57 % receive time off in lieu. Without compensation, the average salary is around CHF 148,000, while with time off in lieu it is approximately CHF 114,000.
AI use creates advantage – and increased earnings
76 % use or plan to use AI. Active AI users earn CHF 139,000 on average – 9 % more than the average. Service providers are advanced with 92 % AI adoption.
Conclusion
Dr Stephan Hofstetter, Partner and Managing Director Switzerland at Kloepfel by EPSA, emphasises: „The report makes it clear: experience, position, further training, and context are decisive. Many benefit from a check of their own position and a cross-comparison.“
The full report is available free of charge.
Link to the free Kloepfel Buyer Salary Report 2025 (download in exchange for contact details):
https://kloepfel-consulting.com/the-makers-place/gehalts-coach/
Press contact
KLOEPFEL by EPSA
Christian Fischer, Head of PR
c.fischer@kloepfel-services.com
Mobile: +49-152-227-227-50