Wage increase after completion of the "SME business economist" course

The Federal Diploma in Business Administration for SMEs enables many graduates to take over the complete management of a small or medium-sized SME. This can lead to a further significant increase in salary. Other graduates already have a management role and use this continuing education, further training to expand their knowledge base and theoretical skills. For them, the SME business management qualification does not have a direct impact on their salary, but often only when they are later promoted or change jobs. And quite a few course participants run their own company and do not have the primary goal of increasing their salary, but want to further increase their professional competence.

In individual cases, the development of the salary depends on other criteria such as sector, region, company or previous education, professional experience and age of the applicant. Calculate your individual chances "Betriebswirtschafterin KMU / Betriebswirtschafter KMU" salary with the help of the federal government's salary calculator:

This is how you proceed: Click on "Salarium - statistical salary calculator" below and then on the "Calculate salary" button

  • Step 1: Enter your region / place of work (e.g. Zurich)
  • Step 2: Enter your industry (e.g. 47 retail trade)
  • Step 3: Enter the following under occupational group: 24 Business economists and comparable specialists
  • Step 4: Position in the company - Select "Lower management"
  • Step 5: Weekly hours 42
  • Step 6: Training: Higher vocational training
  • Step 7: Enter your age (e.g. 32 years)
  • Step 8: Enter further optional information (if available and desired)

Source:"Federal Statistical Office, FSO"

Note: This sample calculation is based on data from Salarium (end of 2024). Information can be foundhere. A list of other payroll calculator tools is availablehere.

The example salary in our calculation for SME business economists is CHF 9,139. Now go back to "Position in the company" and select "Upper and middle management", resulting in a new average salary of CHF 10,080. This means that the salary has increased by 941 per month as a result of the Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE).

Please note:The calculation is intended as an example for business economists in SMEs. As mentioned above, the salary depends on various factors and can vary considerably.

Another example of an SME business economist with a federal diploma: CHF 852,000 more salary until retirement

Rino works as an SME management specialist at a large sawmill in Münsingen. The 25-year-old analyzes the course of business in timber production and identifies problems. Together with members of the management team, he develops proposals for adjustments. He discusses these with the management and passes any improvement measures adopted back to the managers for implementation. He monitors and reports on the implementation of the measures. Rino also keeps an eye on global economic developments and how they relate to the sawmill. He identifies any resulting necessary adjustments to the internal organizational structure or organizational processes. If necessary, Rino recruits specialist staff for the sawmill. He enjoys working independently to optimize business processes. Rino is valued at the sawmill for his good business management skills, high sense of responsibility and analytical and conceptual abilities. The management would like to develop him further and assign him the specialist areas of finance, personnel administration, market research and process management. Rino would like to prepare for his new role in management by taking an Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Business Administration for SMEs. On the SME business economist course, he will acquire specialist knowledge in general business management, HR management, organization, accounting, marketing and law. With the federal diploma, he is able to manage the sawmill's financial accounting and controlling, secure financing, conduct marketing, optimize organizational processes, take legal aspects into account and ensure personnel management. Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) has opened up more interesting roles, better earnings and new development opportunities for Rino.

Financial benefits of continuing education, further training in business administration for SMEs

As a business economist, Rino will receive CHF 1,839 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 852,000 more at his disposal by the time he retires than if he had not taken this continuing education, further training and Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE).

As this theoretical calculation does not take into account any further salary increases, promotions or interest on savings, the salary can still increase significantly.

Calculation in detail

Continuing education, further training SME business economist AFPE:

  • 12 months, part-time
  • Tuition fees, documents and module qualifications: CHF 12,900 minus CHF 6,450 federal contribution = CHF 6,450
  • Exam fee: CHF 2'540
  • Total training costs: CHF 8'990

Wage difference and return on investment calculation Business economist for SMEs:

  • Difference in salary between the position of SME management specialist and the position of SME business economist: CHF 7,636 - CHF 5,797 = CHF 1,839 per month and CHF 22,068 per year (12 x CHF 1,839 = CHF 22,068)
  • He recoups the total training costs of CHF 8,990 in just under 5 months with his higher salary as an SME business economist (CHF 8,990/ CHF 1,839 per month = 4.9 months)
  • Over the remaining 39 years until his retirement (26 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 860,652 (39 x CHF 22,068 = CHF 860,652)
  • If the training costs are deducted from this additional income, an additional sum of around CHF 852,000 remains at her disposal(CHF 860'652 - CHF 8'990 = CHF 851'662)

Sources:

  • The training costs correspond to an average value of the courses offered in business administration for SMEs in German-speaking Switzerland.
  • Wages were calculated in the federal wage calculator www.salarium.ch with the following settings:
  • Calculations Specialist in SME managementwith Federal Professional Examination before Advanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE):
    • Region: Espace Mittelland
    • Industry sector: 16 Manufacture of articles of wood, plaiting materials and cork (except furniture)
    • Occupational group: 24 Business economists and comparable academic professions
    • Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
    • Hours per week: 42 hours
    • Education: Higher vocational training
    • Age: 25 years
    • Years of service: not specified
    • Company size: 20 - 49 employees
    • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
    • Special payments: no
    • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
    • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 5'797
  • Calculations according to theAdvanced Federal Professional Examination (AFPE) in Business Administration for SMEs:
    • Region: Espace Mittelland
    • Industry sector: 16 Manufacture of articles of wood, plaiting materials and cork (except furniture)
    • Occupational group: 24 Business economists and comparable academic professions
    • Position in the company: Level 1+2 Upper and middle management
    • Hours per week: 42 hours
    • Education: Higher vocational training
    • Age: 26 years
    • Years of service: not specified
    • Company size: 20 - 49 employees
    • 12/13 monthly salary: 13 monthly salary (converted pro rata to 12 salaries)
    • Special payments: no
    • Monthly / hourly wage: Monthly wage
    • Result:Central value (median) ofCHF 7'636

(All figures as at November 2022)

Click on the button below to access the salary calculator:

Salarium - Statistischer Lohnrechner

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Overview of schools "Business economist for SMEs"