The mason CFC and the assistant mason AFP
Basic training lasts three years and leads to the mason CFC (Federal VET Diploma), with inter-company courses at employer association centres. The two-year assistant mason AFP (Federal VET Certificate) suits more hands-on young people and allows entry into the second year of the CFC.
A National Agreement extended to all firms
The National Agreement binds the Swiss Contractors' Association to the Unia and Syna trade unions. Its extension by the Federal Council makes it compulsory for every structural works company, including those that post workers to Switzerland from abroad.
Wage classes CE, Q, A, B and C
The minimum wage depends on the class: CE for the team leader, Q for a skilled worker with a CFC or equivalent qualification, and A, B and C for labourers according to their knowledge and experience. Your class appears on the payslip.
Red, blue and green wage zones
Minimum wages also vary with the geographical zone of the company. Geneva, Vaud and expensive regions are ranked higher than rural areas. The exact 2026 amounts can be checked with Unia, Syna or the regional joint committee for the construction sector.
What the 2026-2031 agreement provides
The deal reached in December 2025 between the Swiss Contractors' Association, Unia and Syna runs until the end of 2031. It provides for wage increases over its term and, from 2027, partial counting of travel time to the site as overtime.
Early retirement from age 60
Thanks to the FAR Foundation, funded by contributions from employers and workers, a mason can stop working from age 60 and draw a bridging pension until reaching AVS (state pension) age. The conditions on years worked in the sector must be checked.
Bad weather, heat and seasonal work
When rain, frost or snow halt a site, the employer can claim bad weather compensation from unemployment insurance. In summer, Suva and the cantons issue reminders about heat protection measures. Activity on Swiss building sites stays strong from March to December.
Foreign mason qualifications
The trade is not regulated: a French CAP or a German Gesellenbrief allows you to work. To be placed in class Q, however, the employer must accept equivalence with the CFC; a SEFRI level certificate, at 350 francs, makes that discussion easier.
Temporary assignments on building sites
Many masons start through a recruitment agency, especially on the large sites in Geneva and the canton of Vaud. A specific collective agreement covers staff leasing; our page on temporary work agencies in Switzerland explains how they operate.
Workplace safety and Suva rules
Falls from scaffolding or roofs remain the leading cause of serious accidents in structural works. Suva, the national accident insurer, requires collective protection, harnesses and scaffold inspections, and can stop a dangerous site. Safety shoes and helmets are mandatory.
Moving up to team leader and foreman
After a few years, a mason with a CFC can train as a team leader, then as a foreman, notably at Campus Sursee or in French-speaking training centres. This path leads to the better-paid post of site manager in Switzerland.
Cross-border workers and site languages
Geneva and Basel companies employ many cross-border masons, and crews mix Portuguese, Italian and French. In Basel or Zurich, understanding instructions in German remains necessary for safety, even when the team leader speaks several languages on site.
How to get hired as a mason in Switzerland
- Gather your mason diploma and proof of experience, then request a SEFRI level certificate if useful.
- Prepare a Swiss CV with a photo listing your techniques: formwork, reinforced concrete, brickwork and plan reading.
- Contact structural works companies and licensed temporary agencies in your target canton, avoiding any offer that demands fees.
- Check the National Agreement wage class, the zone and the number of monthly salaries stated in your contract.
- Have the cantonal population office issue your L, B or G permit before your first day on site.
- Register with the cantonal ORP (regional employment office) if you lose your job, presenting your employment references.
Mason pay and expenses in Switzerland
| Item | Benchmark | What changes the amount |
|---|---|---|
| National Agreement minimum wage | Indicative, based on the 2026 scale | Class CE, Q, A, B or C and company zone |
| Geneva cantonal minimum wage | 24,59 CHF per hour in 2026 | Legal floor, the National Agreement is usually higher |
| SEFRI level certificate | 350 CHF | Optional, useful for class Q placement |
| FAR contributions | Deducted from salary | Rate set by the foundation, retirement from 60 |
| LAMal health insurance and housing | Variable | Canton of residence, deductible, urban rent |
Papers to bring for a mason job
- CV with photo and a list of completed sites
- Mason diploma, CAP or equivalent qualification
- SEFRI level certificate if available
- Employment references or letters from previous employers
- Certificates from safety and rigging courses
- Passport or identity card and residence permit
- Driving licence, appreciated for reaching building sites
Common traps for foreign masons
- Accepting placement in class C when your diploma and experience justify class Q under the National Agreement.
- Working without a permit for a subcontractor, which leaves you without Suva accident cover and risks removal from the site during joint inspections.
- Answering an advert that asks you to pay in advance for housing or a permit, a typical fake job scenario.
- Ignoring travel time and overtime, even though the agreement sets precise rules that should be confirmed in writing.
- Throwing away payslips, which are needed to prove your years in the sector and your rights to FAR early retirement.
Questions from masons about working in Switzerland
How much does a skilled mason earn in Switzerland?
The minimum depends on the class and zone set by the 2026-2031 National Agreement; actual pay is often higher in the Lake Geneva and Zurich regions. Check the scale published by Unia, Syna or the joint committee of your region before signing a contract.
Will my French CAP in masonry be paid like a Swiss CFC?
Not automatically. The employer decides your class based on your diploma and experience. A SEFRI level certificate and detailed employment references help you obtain class Q. If you disagree, you can consult the trade union or the joint committee.
What happens when a building site stops because of snow?
The employer can report the stoppage to obtain bad weather compensation paid by unemployment insurance, which covers part of the wage. A waiting period applies. Lost hours must not simply be deducted from your pay without a basis in the collective agreement.
Is a cross-border mason entitled to FAR early retirement?
The FAR Foundation covers workers subject to the agreement, wherever they live, provided they meet the conditions on years worked in the sector. Check your situation directly with the foundation, because coordination rules with France or Italy matter.