Salary & offers
How to compare twelve and thirteen salary payments
A thirteenth salary is a pay arrangement that must be understood through the applicable contract or collective rules. Assess the package through its guaranteed annual gross amount and the dates on which each instalment becomes available.
Editorial review: 16 October 2026
Compare annual totals
An illustrative CHF 6,000 monthly salary paid thirteen times gives CHF 78,000 gross per year. CHF 6,500 paid twelve times gives the same total. The ordinary monthly cash flow differs. Ask whether the annual figure quoted by the recruiter already includes the thirteenth salary and whether it is stated for your actual employment percentage. Record fixed allowances separately to avoid counting them twice.
Read the entitlement wording
A guaranteed thirteenth salary and a performance-dependent bonus have different conditions. Look for the basis of calculation, payment month, treatment of joining or leaving during the year and any applicable collective agreement. Ask payroll how unpaid leave or changes in employment percentage affect the amount. If the document uses “bonus” or “gratification”, clarify the specific obligation, entitlement conditions and any discretion reserved to the employer.
Plan around the calendar
Use ordinary monthly receipts to cover recurring rent, premiums and other essentials. Allocate a later instalment to annual bills, savings or an explicit reserve. If you start in October, request the first-year payment schedule and budget for the entitlement attributable to that period. Compare offers over a complete year and over the actual first twelve months after joining; the two cash-flow pictures can differ.