Average salaries in France: Understanding Your Worth

The average salary in France comes to €2,587 net per month. But what factors influence the salary in France?

Jale

8 minute read

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Updated on 15 Aug 2024

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Working

When you move to a country for a job, one of the most significant deciding factors is the salary you’ll receive. By knowing how much the average salary is in France, you can ensure you aren't underpaid and even negotiate for a better paycheck.

This article will help you negotiate for a better offer or a raise by understanding:

1. The minimum salary in France
2. The average salary in France in 2024
3. A good salary to live comfortably in France
4. Average salaries for different professions
5. Factors that will influence your salary

As of 2024,for a full-time employee who works 35 hours a week, the minimum salary in France is €1,766.92 gross per month or €21,203 gross per year.

France ranks the 6th highest for minimum wage (salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance or SMIC) out of 21 European countries.

Your minimum wage in France may also differ from the national minimum wage (SMIC) if you belong to specific industries, such as the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In some industries in France, the minimum wage is set by collective labor agreements. If this amount is lower than the national minimum (SMIC), then the employer must compensate to reach the amount of SMIC. If the amount is higher than the SMIC, the employer pays the amount set by the collective agreement.

How much does France pay per hour?

The current gross minimum wage in France in 2024 is €11.65 per hour.

Are you a minor? The minimum wage in France for 17-year-olds is €10.49 per hour and €9.32 per hour for those under 16 years old.

Who qualifies for the minimum salary in France?

All workers in France must earn at least the minimum wage corresponding to their age, with the exception of young apprentices (aged 18-25) and student interns.

If you’re doing an apprenticeship and are below 25 years old, your salary depends on your age and experience. That said, if you’re employed by the same company for more than 6 months, you must receive the minimum wage.

As a student intern, you’ll earn a minimum of €3.90 per hour if your internship is at least 2 months long. Below this threshold, the employer isn’t required to pay you. You can earn between €573.30 and €627.90, depending on the number of working days per month. This amount won’t be enough to cover all costs but is enough to cover food or some leisure activities like going to the cinema and night-out, or public transport expenses.

Calculate your approximate salary by inserting your working hours into an online salary calculator.

What qualifies for minimum wage?

Your base salary and any benefits in kind, such as contribution to your health insurance or a company car, contribute to the minimum wage in France. Bonuses, reimbursements, travel allowances, or overtime pay do not contribute to minimum wage.

According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), As of 2024, the average salary in France is €2,587 net per month or €39,800 net per year.

But the average salary in France changes depending on the location, career path, experience and many other factors. For instance, the average salary in Paris is higher than the national average.

In France, some of the highest-paying jobs are held by CEOs and CFOs of big companies, as well as professionals like bankers, surgeons, lawyers and other medical fields. These careers offer high salaries because they require a lot of skill and education, and they play important roles in their fields.

Overall, the average salary in France is higher than in most European countries. But compared to Western European countries like the Netherlands and Germany, the average salary in France is lower. One explanation for this is that France has lower minimum working hours (35h) compared to the Netherlands (38h) and Germany (40h).

Table: Average Net Salaries in European Countries

The average salary you’ll earn depends on the field you’re working in. Those who work in IT, legal and finance make more than others. Below you can find the average salaries per position as reported by people on Glassdoor.

But remember, this is just the average salary and the actual pay you might get or deserve depends on various factors.

Depending on the French city you’ll live in, your cost of living will vary, and so will how much salary you'll need to live comfortably (going on trips, having a gym membership, going out few times in a week, dining in restaurants, etc. ).

In general, a good salary for a comfortable life in France is €3,200 for a single person or €5,600 for someone supporting a family of 3.

Cities like Paris, Nice, and Lyon have higher living costs than the other French cities. For example, the cost of living in Paris is high, and you’ll need around €3,400 per month to live comfortably.

Because the top salaries increase the overall average, it’s important to look at median salaries as well. The median salary shows the exact middle by excluding the outliers (the highest and lowest salaries). The median salary in France is €1,940 net per month, which is approximately 18% lower than the average salary. This means that 50% of the population earns less than the average salary and more than the national minimum in France.

The average salary is just an indicator and your actual gross salary depends on these 6 factors:

1. Career field
2. Gender
3. Location in France
4. Experience level
5. Nationality
6. Level of education

1. Career field

Your career field is one of the most critical factors determining your salary. Occupations that require a lot of training, are in-demand, or where there is a lack of specialists pay much more than others. Some of the highest-paying jobs in France include:

Senior Management: If you’re aiming high, senior managers and executives at major companies are some of the top earners, with salaries ranging from around €59,100 to €165,000 a year. They play crucial roles in shaping company strategies and managing significant resources.

Finance Sector:

Finance jobs, like investment bankers, financial analysts, and managers, come with impressive paychecks, sometimes reaching up to €103,000 annually. These roles demand a deep understanding of financial markets and the ability to manage complex transactions.

Technology and IT: France’s booming tech industry offers great opportunities for programmers and IT pros. Depending on their role and experience, tech professionals can earn substantial salaries, with top positions like Chief Information Officers making up to €82,500 a year.

Legal Field Lawyers, especially those specializing in corporate law or litigation, also enjoy high earnings. Depending on their expertise and the complexity of their cases, they can earn between €63,500 and €208,000 annually.

Sales Managers Sales managers in the commercial sector typically earn between €50,000 and €60,000 per year. Entry-level positions might start around €35,000, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of €80,000.

Moving up the career ladder in these high-paying fields often means better salaries. Gaining experience, taking on more responsibilities, and staying current with industry trends are key to boosting your earnings.

2. Gender

Unfortunately, gender still plays a role in determining salaries in France. In 2020, while Europe's average gender pay gap was 13%, France recorded 15.8%.

Those who work in Science, Mathematics, Engineering, and IT sectors are affected most by the gender gap in France (31%). The last report by World Economic Forum on the Gender Pay Gap indicates that the salary difference between men and women in the lowest salary decile is 7%, while this number rises to 21% for the highest salary decile.

The pay gap also increases for women once they give birth. INSEE reports that a woman’s salary drops by 25% on average after giving birth.

Don’t let the gender pay gap discourage you from asking what you deserve. Instead, negotiate for a better salary.

3. Location in France

The average salary in France varies based on your location. The Île-de-France region, which includes the capital Paris, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Nice, Cannes, etc.) have higher average wages since they host headquarters of many international and national companies like the Rocher group, Ford and Coca-Cola. Lyon, another significant city, also has attractive salaries thanks to being home to Euronews and LCL bank.

4. Experience level

Experience level is one of the key determining factors for your salary. Typically, an employee with 2 - 5 years of experience earns an average of 32% more than an entry-level employee. After 5 years, you can expect a raise of 36%, and with 10+ years of experience, a 21% raise.

5. Nationality

Generally, non-EU expats earn a higher income compared to the average annual salary in France. This is because they need a work visa to work in France, and a work visa is granted only when the company can’t find a French employee to fill the position. So automatically, you’re in high demand, which translates to a higher salary.

Also, highly skilled or educated expats can apply for a highly skilled worker visa called passeport talent. One of the requirements for this visa is receiving a minimum of €53,836.50 gross per year, which is 1.5 times more than the average annual gross salary. So in order to have this visa, you must earn a high salary.

6. Level of Education

Most professions pay more for people with higher education levels, even if the experience level stays the same. Here’s how much you can expect to earn based on your education level:

Now that you know about the average salaries, make sure you’re also familiar with the banking system in France. After all, you’ll need a French bank account to receive your much-deserved salary.

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