Governess jobs in Zurich typically pay CHF 43–CHF 78 an hour (about CHF 7,450–CHF 13,500 a month full time). Live-in positions are common, with a usual schedule of full-time, often travelling with the family. Employers ask for teaching degree or qualification and an identity check. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Zurich.
- Typical pay
- CHF 43–CHF 78
- per hour
- Full-time monthly
- CHF 7,450–CHF 13,500
- about 40 hours a week
- Live-in
- Common
- accommodation provided
- Schedule
- Full-time
- often travelling with the family
- Open now
- 0
- register to be matched
Open governess positions in Zurich
No open position is listed for Zurich today. New governess jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.
Register as a GovernessAbout governess jobs in Zurich
A governess combines childcare with structured education, often supporting a family that travels or home-schools. In Zurich, these roles are offered by private households across Zurich Metropolitan Area, from busy professional couples to large multi-generation homes.
Zurich is known for banking, insurance, software engineering, and robotics research, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as UBS, Zurich Insurance, Google Zurich, Swiss Re, and ETH Zurich. Zurich hosts Google's largest engineering centre outside the United States and consistently ranks among the world's highest-paying cities.
Main duties
- Teach and supervise lessons at home
- Support homework and exam preparation
- Develop languages, reading and study skills
- Plan cultural and educational outings
- Report progress to parents
Governess pay in Zurich
Household incomes in Zurich are shaped by an average local salary of around CHF 112,000, which is why governess pay here sits above the Switzerland average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.
Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
A day as a governess
- 7:30Breakfast & school run
- 9:30Play & learning
- 12:00Lunch & nap
- 15:00Pick-up & homework
- 18:00Dinner, bath & handover
Why work in Zurich?
The local job market is growing at 3.0% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Zurich.
Zurich is often described as “Europe's Highest-Paying Tech and Finance City”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.
Requirements
What families ask for
- Teaching degree or qualification
- Experience with private families
- Background check
- Additional languages are a plus
Working in Switzerland
- Right to work in Switzerland: Workers from outside the EU/EFTA face strict quotas, so most household staff hold existing permits or EU/EFTA citizenship.
- Checks: employers usually ask for an identity check, references, a residence and work permit check and, for childcare, a private criminal record extract (Strafregisterauszug).
- Minimum pay: wages must meet the minimum wage set in the standard employment contract for domestic workers.
- Contract: A written contract is strongly recommended and must respect the federal and cantonal standard employment contracts.
Live-in or live-out?
Live-in governess roles in Zurich normally include a private room and meals; the value of board is sometimes deducted from pay, so compare offers on the total package. Live-out roles pay the full hourly rate, and families often add travel costs for early starts.
How to get hired
- Register
Create your profile with your governess experience, availability and references.
- Verification
Complete Switzerland right-to-work and background checks.
- Interview & trial
Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.
- Contract & start
Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a governess earn in Zurich?
Governess jobs in Zurich typically pay CHF 43–CHF 78 an hour (about CHF 7,450–CHF 13,500 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.
Are there live-in governess jobs in Zurich?
Live-in positions are common. Live-in governess roles in Zurich normally include a private room and meals; the value of board is sometimes deducted from pay, so compare offers on the total package.
What do I need to work as a governess in Switzerland?
Employers ask for teaching degree or qualification, experience with private families and an identity check. You must also have the right to work in Switzerland.
What does a governess do day to day?
A governess combines childcare with structured education, often supporting a family that travels or home-schools. Typical duties include teach and supervise lessons at home, support homework and exam preparation, develop languages, reading and study skills.
How do I apply for governess jobs in Zurich on AvailJob?
Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Zurich hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.
What hours does a governess work?
A typical schedule is full-time, often travelling with the family. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.