What is the average salary in France
Are you looking for a new career opportunity and want to know your value in the job market? Do you want to negotiate your compensation and get closer to the average salary in your industry or role? Are you recruiting and would like to reevaluate your salary scales to align with market prices and thus more easily attract new employees to your company?
Average salary and median salary what’s the difference?
What is the average salary?
In France, the average wage is calculated by the INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies) to determine the average remuneration earned by private sector workers in France. The average wage is based on the total income of each French person, divided by the total number of employees in the country. The INSEE includes differences in working hours in its calculations to account for full-time and part-time workers, hence the precision of the full-time equivalent (FTEE).
What is the average salary in France?
According to the latest INSEE studies (2023 data), the average salary in France is €2,730 per month (EQTP), net of social security contributions. The average salary varies according to socio-professional category and amounts to €4,570 net per month on average for managers, €1,960 net for employees, and €2,030 net for workers. The average salary for civil servants is €2,600 net and €2,340 for public sector employees (excluding medical personnel).
What is the median salary?
Unlike the average salary, which is calculated, as its name suggests, from an average, the median salary is calculated by dividing the population in two. This means that one-half will earn more than the median salary and the other half will earn less. This method, often more appreciated than the average salary, allows for a more representative and fair view of individual incomes because the average salary amplifies high incomes, which can be misleading.
What is the median salary in France?
According to the INSEE, the median salary is 2,091 euros net before tax for the private sector in full-time equivalent (FTEE) and 2,180 euros net in the public sector. In our 2025 salary study, we provide you with information on average gross annual salaries in France, sector by sector and job by job.
What are the average salary increases expected in 2025?
Should we expect a widespread increase in wages? The year 2024 is marked by global economic instability, compounded by an unprecedented French political context, which is also a factor of uncertainty for growth. French employees, wishing to maintain their purchasing power in a period where inflation is falling a little faster than expected, will see consumer prices fall back to 1.9% in August, according to INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies).
Average salary revaluation of the minimum wage
Since January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in France has been 1,801.80 euros gross per month , or 1,426.30 euros net per month. The gross hourly minimum wage therefore increases to 11.88 euros, a 2% increase. The most significant salary increases will mainly concern the IT, accounting and finance, CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) sectors as well as the vast majority of Engineer and Technician profiles:
- Cloud Engineer
- Cybersecurity / GRC Engineer
- Data scientist/data engineer
- Management controller
- Climate Manager
- CSRD Project Manager
- Maintenance Technician
- QHSE Engineer
- Technician / Production Operator
In our 2025 salary study, we provide you with information on average gross annual salaries in France, sector by sector and job by job.
How are average salaries calculated in our study?
Each year, we publish the most comprehensive compensation study possible, combining job and salary data from assignments completed for our client companies over the past 12 months. This annual guide analyzes the average salary for more than 850 management, employee, and technical positions across 25 sectors in France. The compensation indicated in our salary scales is calculated based on a fixed gross annual income in thousands of euros and reassessed annually by our teams of recruitment experts. This data should be weighted according to your level of experience, your location in France, the dynamics of your sector, the structure of your company, and the current economic climate.
