As the job market grows more competitive, performance-based bonuses are emerging as a key factor in salary negotiations. In Switzerland, two out of three professionals rank performance-based bonuses among the most critical benefits when evaluating job offers, according to the latest Robert Walters salary survey. 

“With employees placing such high value on rewards tied to their achievements, employers must adapt or risk losing top talent,” says Özlem Simsek, managing director at Swiss recruitment specialist Robert Walters.

The numbers tell the story

The survey highlights the growing importance of performance-based bonuses in employer strategies for 2025:

• 29% of employers plan to give bonuses between 1-10 % of annual salary
• 6% of employers aim for 11-20%, while only 3% will provide bonuses exceeding 20%. 

Meanwhile, 38% of employers remain undecided whether they will offer a performance bonus and one in four employers don’t plan to offer bonuses at all - potentially putting them at a disadvantage in a market where bonuses are becoming a critical part of compensation.

A retention game changer

With the average job tenure in Switzerland at just 2.2 years in 2024, retaining employees is becoming more challenging: 36% of employers reported losing key staff to competitors offering better salaries and benefits in 2024. 

“Professionals are no longer satisfied with static salaries. They want to see their efforts rewarded tangibly,” Özlem highlights. “44% of employers already recognize the importance of rewarding employee achievements and include bonuses and financial incentives in their compensation plans. Another 14% of employers are enhancing their bonus schemes in 2025, signaling a shift toward performance-driven rewards.”

A recruitment game changer

One in three employers have had job offers declined in the past year due to insufficient salary and benefits packages. Özlem: “The competition for talent is fierce, especially in sectors facing critical shortages. Offering performance-based bonuses as part of an attractive package, can make all the difference in securing top candidates.”

Adapt or be left behind

“Performance-based bonuses are no longer just a nice-to-have - they’re a necessity. Swiss professionals are prioritizing benefits that reward their contributions and companies that fail to offer competitive bonus structures risk losing out. Enhancing bonus schemes isn't just an investment in employees; it's an investment in the future success of the organization”, Özlem concludes.

Find out more?

Request free access to the 2025 digital Salary Survey tool today and explore the salary and hiring trends in your industry.