How much do teachers earn in Liechtenstein? Teacher salaries in Liechtenstein are determined through a public-sector salary system that is different from the salary-step system used in many Swiss cantons.
For teachers in the public education system, the position is assigned to a Lohnklasse (salary class). The teacher's actual remuneration can then depend on the applicable entry salary, recognized previous experience, the experience component and performance-related salary components.
The latest official general salary table published by the Liechtenstein government and effective from 1 January 2025 shows the following fixed annual salary ranges:
The same official table lists a maximum ordinary annual salary, including the maximum performance bonus, of CHF 153,120 for class 11, CHF 166,960 for class 12 and CHF 180,820 for class 13.
These are official salary-band figures from the published Liechtenstein salary table effective 1 January 2025. They are not a guarantee that every teacher receives the minimum or maximum amount. Actual teacher pay depends on classification, qualification, experience and applicable salary components.
Liechtenstein's public-sector remuneration system is based on salary classes and salary bands rather than a simple automatic annual salary step.
The Besoldungsverordnung (salary ordinance) contains separate provisions for teachers and school principals. The position itself is classified according to the requirements and responsibilities of the job.
For teachers, the starting salary is determined using the applicable entry-salary rules. Previous professional activity can then be taken into account when the starting salary is established.
The official regulations state that previous activity as a teacher is taken into account in full, activity in related fields is taken into account by at least half, and unrelated professional activity can be taken into account by up to half, subject to the applicable individual assessment.
The following table uses the latest general salary table published by the Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung, which is effective from 1 January 2025.
| Lohnklasse | Typical Teaching Area | Fixed Annual Salary Minimum | Fixed Annual Salary Maximum | Maximum Ordinary Annual Salary* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Kindergarten & Primary School | CHF 102,080 | CHF 144,950 | CHF 153,120 |
| 12 | Secondary Level I / selected special education | CHF 111,310 | CHF 158,060 | CHF 166,960 |
| 13 | Gymnasium & Berufsmittelschule | CHF 120,550 | CHF 171,180 | CHF 180,820 |
*The maximum ordinary annual salary shown by the official table includes the maximum performance bonus. It should therefore not be interpreted as the normal salary received automatically by every teacher.
Lohnklasse 11 is particularly important for teachers working in the Kindergarten and Primary School stages.
The official entry-salary rules identify the position Stufenlehrer/in (LK 11) for Kindergarten and Primary School. For a qualification with a bachelor's degree, the published entry salary is 87.5% of the relevant basic salary.
The official framework also provides a different entry percentage for certain teachers with previous qualifications.
A salary-class maximum is not the same thing as an entry salary. A newly appointed teacher does not automatically receive the maximum of the relevant salary class.
Kindergarten teachers are integrated into the same salary class as primary-school teachers in the current Liechtenstein framework.
This is an important difference from older Liechtenstein salary systems. The government previously implemented measures to bring kindergarten teacher remuneration into line with primary teaching positions.
The current salary ordinance places the Kindergarten and Primary School position Stufenlehrer/in in Lohnklasse 11.
The published 2025 salary band for Lohnklasse 11 is:
The actual starting salary depends on qualification and the individual salary classification.
Primary-school teachers are generally classified in Lohnklasse 11.
For teachers with a bachelor's qualification, the official entry-salary table specifies an entry salary of 87.5% of the basic salary. A teacher with another recognized qualification can be subject to a different entry percentage.
The latest published general salary table gives Lohnklasse 11 a fixed annual salary range of:
CHF 102,080 to CHF 144,950 per year before considering the separate maximum ordinary salary including the performance bonus.
Teachers at Secondary Level I are generally assigned to Lohnklasse 12.
The official entry-salary provisions specify an 87.5% entry salary for teachers with a master's degree or a Swiss secondary-school teaching diploma. Certain other qualifications can have a different entry percentage.
The published salary table for Lohnklasse 12 shows:
Teachers at the Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium are assigned to Lohnklasse 13 when working in the corresponding teaching position.
The official entry-salary table specifies an entry salary of 87.5% of the basic salary for teachers with the relevant higher-teaching qualification.
The published Lohnklasse 13 salary band is:
Vocational and professional education is an important part of the Liechtenstein education system.
The exact salary classification for a vocational teacher depends on the specific teaching position and qualification. Lohnklasse 13 is used for the relevant Stufenlehrer/in position at Gymnasium and Berufsmittelschule level.
Therefore, a person applying for a vocational teaching position should check the salary classification specified in the actual vacancy rather than assuming that every vocational teaching role has exactly the same salary.
Special education positions can have different classifications depending on the school level and qualification.
The official salary ordinance identifies Schulische/r Heilpädagoge/in as a teaching position in Lohnklasse 12 for relevant roles.
For Kindergarten and Primary School, the entry salary for a school-based special education teacher is listed at 83.5% of the basic salary. For Secondary Level I, the published entry percentage is 87.5%.
This means that special education teachers should not simply use the ordinary primary-school entry percentage when calculating their expected starting salary.
Qualification is an important factor in Liechtenstein's teacher salary system.
| Teaching Area | Qualification Mentioned in Official Entry Rules | Entry Salary Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten / Primary | Bachelor's degree | 87.5% |
| Kindergarten / Primary | Previous qualification | 77.5% |
| Secondary Level I | Master's degree or Swiss secondary teaching diploma | 87.5% |
| Secondary Level I | Other previous qualification | 77.5% |
| Gymnasium / Berufsmittelschule | Higher teaching qualification | 87.5% |
| School-based special education | Kindergarten / Primary | 83.5% |
| School-based special education | Secondary Level I | 87.5% |
Liechtenstein does not use a simple system in which every additional year of teaching automatically produces a predetermined salary-step increase.
Instead, the teacher salary system contains an experience component and performance-related components. The official salary framework states that experience-related increases are connected to age milestones, while other salary development depends on the available salary-adjustment budget and performance assessment.
The official School Office report describes the experience component as up to 12% of the basic salary, with the following milestones:
| Age Milestone | Experience Component |
|---|---|
| 25th birthday | 3% of basic salary |
| 30th birthday | 6% of basic salary |
| 35th birthday | 9% of basic salary |
| 45th birthday | 12% of basic salary |
This is one reason why it is difficult to produce a single "teacher salary by years of experience" table for Liechtenstein.
Teachers moving to Liechtenstein from another country should pay particular attention to recognition of previous professional experience.
Under the applicable salary rules, documented previous work can be considered when determining starting remuneration.
The final salary classification is an individual administrative decision. Therefore, ten years of teaching experience abroad should not automatically be interpreted as ten years of identical salary progression in Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein's teacher remuneration system includes performance-related salary components in addition to the basic salary and experience component.
The fixed performance component can reach up to 30% of the basic salary under the applicable system, subject to the relevant rules and available funding.
There is also a variable performance component. The salary ordinance allows a performance bonus of up to 8% of the monthly salary for exceptional performance, subject to the applicable conditions.
Consequently, the maximum ordinary salary shown in the general salary table should not be confused with the guaranteed salary of every teacher.
For 2026, the Liechtenstein government approved an overall 1.0% allocation of the total salary sum for salary adjustments for administrative employees and teachers.
The 1.0% figure is an overall salary-adjustment allocation. It does not mean that every teacher automatically received a 1.0% increase in their individual salary.
The official government salary page currently publishes the detailed general salary table effective from 1 January 2025. Because individual teacher remuneration is affected by salary class, entry salary, experience and performance components, it would be misleading to simply add 1% to every figure in the 2025 table.
The Liechtenstein public-sector remuneration system includes a Gratifikation as part of the annual remuneration structure.
The official general salary table describes its fixed annual remuneration as including the gratification.
Therefore, when comparing teacher salaries, do not automatically add a separate 13th salary to the annual figures shown in the official table.
The official salary table is expressed as an annual salary, which is the best way to compare positions.
For example, a fixed annual salary of CHF 120,000 corresponds to an annual gross amount of CHF 120,000. Dividing it by 12 gives an average equivalent of CHF 10,000 per month, but the actual payroll structure should be checked with the employer because the annual remuneration includes the applicable gratification.
Taxes, social insurance, pension contributions and other deductions affect the amount a teacher actually receives. Housing, health insurance, transportation and other living expenses also need to be considered when comparing job offers.
Teachers in Liechtenstein can work at different employment percentages, depending on the position and school.
A teacher working at 80% will normally receive remuneration based on the applicable employment percentage rather than the full-time annual amount.
Part-time work can therefore be an important factor when comparing teaching jobs, particularly for teachers who are combining employment with family responsibilities or other professional activities.
School leadership positions use their own classifications and can be placed in higher salary classes than ordinary teaching positions.
The official salary ordinance identifies school principals in several salary classes depending on the school and responsibility.
| School Leadership Position | Salary Class | Published Entry Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| School principal, selected Kindergarten / Primary school | LK 12 | 136.5% in the specified Planken position |
| School principal, selected Kindergarten / Primary schools | LK 13 | 130.5%–136.5% depending on school |
| Secondary school principal | LK 13 | 133.5% or 136.5% depending on school |
| Prorector, Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium | LK 14 | 130.5% |
| Principal, Berufsmittelschule | LK 14 | 133.5% |
| Principal, Liechtensteinisches Gymnasium | LK 15 | 130.5% |
The percentages in this table are the official entry-remuneration percentages specified for the listed leadership positions and should not be interpreted as a percentage of an ordinary teacher's salary.
The Liechtenstein School Office reports that its finance and accounting unit administers salaries and allowances for approximately 600 teachers in the public education system.
This illustrates the relatively small scale of the country's education system compared with large Swiss cantons.
Yes. Foreign teachers can apply for teaching positions in Liechtenstein, but they must satisfy the qualification and employment requirements for the particular position.
The Liechtenstein School Office states that the legally required qualifications for teachers are defined by the applicable Lehrerdienstverordnung.
For public-school employment, the required teacher education must satisfy either the requirements established by the Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education (EDK) or the applicable Austrian training requirements.
Teachers educated outside Liechtenstein should determine the recognition requirements before accepting a position.
The School Office is responsible for legal and qualification-related coordination in the education system, including cooperation concerning recognition of professional qualifications.
A foreign teaching degree should therefore not automatically be assumed to have exactly the same employment status as a Liechtenstein teaching qualification.
Check the qualification requirements for the specific vacancy before calculating your expected salary. The salary class alone does not determine the final starting salary.
German is the principal language of education and everyday communication in Liechtenstein's public-school system.
Teachers working in public schools therefore need the language skills necessary for teaching pupils and communicating with parents, colleagues and school management.
The exact language and qualification requirements depend on the position. Teachers applying to international, private or specialized educational institutions should check the requirements of the individual employer.
Teaching opportunities exist across several areas of the Liechtenstein education system.
Public-school vacancies are published through official recruitment channels. The Liechtenstein School Office states that vacancies are published through the career platform, the electronic official gazette and LinkedIn.
The School Office also states that unsolicited applications are not accepted for these public-school vacancies.
The Liechtenstein School Office provides a specific recruitment process for school and teaching personnel.
Applicants who meet the requirements and find a suitable vacancy can apply online through the designated recruitment platform.
This is particularly important for foreign teachers because the requirements listed in the vacancy can be more useful than relying on a generic "teacher salary in Liechtenstein" estimate.
The official Liechtenstein Statistics Office reported a median gross monthly wage of CHF 7,401 for employees in Liechtenstein in 2024.
This statistic covers the overall employed population and is not a teacher-specific salary.
It is therefore useful only as a broad reference point. Teacher salaries must be interpreted using the specific education salary framework.
Salary should not be evaluated separately from living costs. Liechtenstein has a high-wage economy, but housing and everyday expenses can also be significant.
Teachers moving to Liechtenstein should calculate the relationship between gross salary, deductions, rent, health insurance, transportation and household expenses.
Useful guides on LiechtensteinInfo include:
| Career / Position | Official Salary Classification | Important Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teacher | Lohnklasse 11 | Qualification and entry-salary classification |
| Primary Teacher | Lohnklasse 11 | Qualification and recognized experience |
| Secondary Level I Teacher | Lohnklasse 12 | Master-level or equivalent qualification |
| Special Education Teacher | Relevant position may be LK 12 | School level and special education qualification |
| Gymnasium Teacher | Lohnklasse 13 | Higher teaching qualification |
| Vocational / Professional Teacher | Depends on position | Qualification and teaching role |
| School Principal | Several classes, including LK 12–15 | School size, role and leadership qualification |
Several factors can affect the salary of a teacher.
Salary negotiation works differently for public-school teachers than it does in many private-sector jobs.
The official salary framework determines the relevant salary class and entry-salary rules. Recognized experience, qualifications and internal salary comparisons can influence the starting remuneration.
For private schools or other education providers, the individual employment contract may provide more variation.
When comparing offers, look at:
Official salary data shows that teaching positions are placed in relatively substantial public-sector salary bands. However, the actual salary of an individual teacher depends on the position, qualification, experience and salary components.
A teacher should therefore compare the complete employment package rather than relying only on the maximum of a salary class.
Liechtenstein is closely integrated with the surrounding Swiss and Austrian labour markets, and teachers can compare employment opportunities across the border.
However, direct salary comparisons can be misleading because Switzerland uses cantonal salary systems while Liechtenstein uses its own national public-sector framework.
The Liechtenstein School Office itself has examined teacher remuneration against neighbouring Swiss cantons and notes that differences cannot be understood through salary alone; teaching workload, lesson duration and other employment conditions also matter.
| Teaching Career | Salary Class / Information | Latest Published Fixed Annual Range |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teacher | LK 11 | CHF 102,080–144,950 |
| Primary Teacher | LK 11 | CHF 102,080–144,950 |
| Secondary Level I Teacher | LK 12 | CHF 111,310–158,060 |
| Special Education | Relevant positions including LK 12 | Depends on position |
| Gymnasium Teacher | LK 13 | CHF 120,550–171,180 |
| Berufsmittelschule | Relevant teaching classification | Depends on position |
| School Principal | LK 12–15 depending on school and position | Separate leadership remuneration |
The salary ranges in this table are the latest detailed general salary table published by the Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung, effective 1 January 2025. The table should not be treated as a complete 2026 individual salary calculator.
There is no single teacher salary. The latest published official salary table gives a fixed annual range of CHF 102,080–144,950 for Lohnklasse 11, CHF 111,310–158,060 for Lohnklasse 12 and CHF 120,550–171,180 for Lohnklasse 13.
Primary-school teaching positions are generally assigned to Lohnklasse 11. The published fixed annual salary range for this class is CHF 102,080 to CHF 144,950.
Kindergarten teachers are integrated with the primary-school teaching classification and the relevant position is Lohnklasse 11. The published fixed annual range is CHF 102,080 to CHF 144,950.
Secondary Level I teachers are generally assigned to Lohnklasse 12. The published fixed annual salary range is CHF 111,310 to CHF 158,060.
The relevant Gymnasium teaching position is Lohnklasse 13. The published fixed annual salary range is CHF 120,550 to CHF 171,180.
The official salary table includes a gratification in the fixed annual salary figures. Therefore, a separate 13th salary should not simply be added to the published annual amounts.
Yes. Foreign teachers can apply for positions if they meet the qualification and other requirements for the specific teaching post. The School Office specifies that teacher training must satisfy the applicable Liechtenstein requirements, including recognized Swiss EDK or Austrian qualification requirements where applicable.
German is important for teaching in Liechtenstein's public-school system. The exact requirements depend on the teaching position and employer.
Previous teaching activity can be taken into account when determining starting remuneration. The official salary rules provide for full consideration of teaching activity, while related and unrelated professional experience can be treated differently.
Lohnklasse 11 is the salary class used for the Stufenlehrer/in position covering Kindergarten and Primary School in the official teacher classification.
Lohnklasse 12 is used for the Stufenlehrer/in position at Secondary Level I and for certain special education positions.
Lohnklasse 13 is used for the Stufenlehrer/in position at Gymnasium and Berufsmittelschule level and for certain school leadership positions.
For the 2026 budget, the government obtained approval for a 1.0% allocation of the total salary sum for salary adjustments covering administrative employees and teachers. This is an overall adjustment budget and does not mean that every teacher automatically received exactly 1%.
There is no single official national average teacher salary published in the same way as the general median wage. The most useful official reference is the teacher salary-class system and the individual salary determination rules.
Among the three principal teaching salary classes shown in the published general table, Lohnklasse 13 reaches CHF 171,180 in fixed annual salary. The maximum ordinary annual remuneration shown for Lohnklasse 13, including the maximum performance bonus, is CHF 180,820.
LiechtensteinInfo has additional guides for people comparing salaries, jobs and career opportunities in Liechtenstein.