23-year-old Marita works as a Federal VET Diploma dental assistant in a dental practice in Herisau. She ensures that the day-to-day running of the practice runs smoothly. She enjoys the planning and administrative work involved in welcoming and looking after patients. Marita optimizes the treatment process by preparing, calling and seating patients. She also assists her dentist with his dental treatments by performing suction work, straightening and handing materials and taking x-rays. Marita observes strict hygiene regulations when tidying up and cleaning the treatment rooms after treatment. She sterilizes all instruments. Marita also answers the phone at reception, makes appointments and sees patients for regular dental check-ups. As a dental assistant, she shows empathy, service awareness, organizational skills and works reliably. However, Marita would like to be able to work more independently and carry out treatments herself. She has therefore decided to attend continuing education, further training to become a medical masseuse. This Federal Professional Examination enables Marita to treat people with various massage methods and techniques for prevention, therapy or rehabilitation. As a medical masseuse, she chooses the right treatment technique based on the problems and needs of her patients. Marita collects all relevant data before treatment and also interprets medical diagnoses and prescriptions in advance. She then draws up a suitable treatment plan and carries out the appropriate treatment to maintain and promote normal movement function. Marita pays attention to hygiene, privacy, occupational safety and data protection. As a former dental assistant, she is very knowledgeable when it comes to administrative tasks. Thanks to her federal certificate, Marita can start working as an employee in a therapy practice. However, with the recognized qualification as a medical masseuse, it is also possible to set up and run her own practice. Marita's continuing education, further training in massage also gave her higher earning potential and better future prospects on the job market.

Financial benefits of continuing education, further training as a medical masseuse

As a medical masseuse, Marita will receive CHF 1,630 more per month than before and will therefore have at least CHF 735,000 more at her disposal by the time she retires than if she had not done any continuing education, further training.

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 medical masseuse FPE:

• 36 months, part-time
• School fees, documents: CHF 34,000 minus CHF 9,500 federal contribution = CHF 24,500
• Examination fee: CHF 3,000
• Total training costs: CHF 27,500

Wage difference and yield calculation:

• Difference in salary between the position as a dental assistant Federal VET Diploma and the position as a medical masseuse: CHF 6,027 - CHF 4,397 = CHF 1,630 per month and CHF 19,560 per year (12 x CHF 1,630 = CHF 19,560)
• She recoups the total training costs of CHF 27,500 in just under 17 months with her higher salary as a medical masseuse (CHF 27,500 / CHF 1,630 per month = 16.9 months)
• In the remaining 39 years until their retirement (26 to 65), this additional income will add up to CHF 762,840 (39 x CHF 19,560 = CHF 762,840)
• If the training costs are deducted from this additional income, an additional sum of around CHF 735,000 remains at her disposal(CHF 762'840 - CHF 27'500 = CHF 735'340)

Sources:

• The training costs correspond to an average of the courses offered in German-speaking Switzerland.
• Wages were calculated in the federal wage calculator www.salarium.ch with the following settings:
• Calculations as a dental assistant Federal VET Diplomabefore the Federal Professional Examination:
  • Region: Eastern Switzerland
  • Industry: 86 Healthcare
  • Occupational group: 53 care professions
  • Position in the company: Level 5 without management function
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: Completed vocational training
  • Age: 23 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: Less than 20 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 4'397
• Calculationsafter the Federal Professional Examination:
  • Region: Eastern Switzerland
  • Industry: 86 Healthcare
  • Occupational group: 32 Healthcare assistants
  • Position in the company: Level 3+4 Lower management
  • Hours per week: 42 hours
  • Education: Higher vocational training, College of Higher Education
  • Age: 26 years
  • Years of service: not specified
  • Company size: Less than 20 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 6'027

(All figures as at November 2022)

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