After discussing the average salary of executives in France, it was time to examine our average French salary by sector. Discover all the details about one of the highest average salaries in Europe!
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The average salary in France in 2021
The latest OECD survey on average salaries dates back to 2019. According to their figures, the average salary in France is $46,481 gross per year, which is €39,346.
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The average salary in France in 2021 has thus increased because INSEE indicated that an employee earned on average €2,988 gross per month, or €2,238 net monthly in 2016, according to their study published at the end of April 2019, which represents a total gross annual of €35,856.
However, it is important to note that the average salary in France varies depending on several factors such as the size of the company you work for. In fact, the average gross salary reached €2,439 per month in 2015 for companies with fewer than ten employees compared to €3,376 for companies with 500 employees.
Note:
- The gross hourly minimum wage (SMIC) in 2021 is €10.25 compared to €10.15 in 2020, which corresponds to a gross monthly minimum wage of €1,554.58 in 2021 based on the legal working hours of 35 hours per week. As every year, the SMIC has been improved and 2021 is no exception.
- France is one of the countries that offers the highest minimum wages in Europe along with Spain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Luxembourg.
Discover the ranking of average salaries worldwide
The median salary in France in 2021
Of course, we must differentiate between average salaries and median salaries. Indeed, according to INSEE, the average salary corresponds to “the average of all salaries of the considered population” while the median salary corresponds to the one for which 50% of the French earn more and 50% earn less.
In 2020, INSEE published its survey based on 2016 data. The net median salary in France was €1,789. It is important to note that this median salary differs by gender. INSEEC notes a difference of 13.7% between men and women. The median salary for women is €1,639 while that for men is €1,899. According to the Statistical Directorate of the Ministry of Solidarity (Drees), it would take €1,760 to live decently in France.
The average salary of executives in France in 2021
According to an Apec study, the average salary of an executive in France in 2021 is €56,000 gross per year compared to a median salary of €49,000.
Of course, the median salary in France increases with age. Indeed, senior executives aged over 55 had a median gross salary of €55,000 in France in 2021. While the median salary of executives under 30 is €37,000.
The sectors where senior executives receive the highest remuneration are IT (Information Technology). Indeed, in 2019, salaries vary greatly and generally range between $47,000 and $132,000 gross annually.
The banking sector is also one of the most rewarding sectors for executives. Bank executives have an average salary of €70,549 gross annually. More than 53% earn between €40,000 and €70,000 gross per year. For only 3.7% of them, the salary exceeds €200,000 gross per year.
The average salary in France in 2021 by sector
The socio-professional category inevitably influences your salary. Indeed, about a dozen sectors have an average net salary of over €2,500, even €3,000, according to Dares (Directorate of Research, Studies, and Statistical Management).
- The average salary of employees in the pharmaceutical sector in 2021 is €3,749 excluding tax.
- The average salary of employees in the banking sector in 2021 is €3,280.
- The average salary of employees in the insurance sector in 2021 is €3,280 net per month.
- The average salary of employees in the chemical sector in 2021 is €3,161.
- The average salary of employees in technical engineering offices in 2021 is €3,041.
- The average salary of employees in the metallurgy sector in 2021 is €2,778.
- The average salary of employees in the culture and communication sector in 2021 is €2,656.
- The average salary of people working in legal and accounting professions in 2021 is €2,571.
- The average salary of employees in the real estate sector in 2021 is €2,481.
- The average salary of employees in the commercial sector in 2021 is €2,421.
In the private sector, generally speaking, the median gross salary of executives was €45,793 and the average salary was €48,903. However, it is the business leaders who receive the highest average salary in the private sector with €64,875.
In 2019, the salaries of senior executives in all sectors increased by 2.4% after a 2.4% increase in 2018.
To learn more about your future salary once graduated, check out our article on salaries outside by sector!
Average salary in France in 2021: persistent gender inequalities
It should be noted that France is considered a poor performer in terms of pay equality between women and men in equal positions, according to the Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum. Indeed, France ranks only 133rd out of 153.
The Inequalities Observatory notes that for the lowest 10% (first decile), the pay difference between women and men is only 7% (€1,171 compared to €1,262). While among the top 10% earners, a woman will earn on average 21% less than a man. That’s €3,149 less.
| Net salary gaps for women and men in France in 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CSP file | Men (€) | Women (€) | In % |
| Executives | €4,351.00 | €3,506.00 | -19 |
| Intermediate | €2,406.00 | €2,096.00 | -13 |
| Employees | €1,713.00 | €1,599.00 | -7 |
| Workers | €1,761.00 | €1,498.00 | -15 |
| Set | €2,451.00 | €2,016.00 | -18 |
On the other hand, INSEE notes that wage inequalities are widening over time, even though the unemployment rate for young female graduates (14%) is lower than that of young men by 4 percentage points.
The birth of a child strongly affects a woman’s professional career. Indeed, women’s salaries decrease on average by 25%, according to INSEE, five years after the birth of the first child. This figure can reach 38% after the arrival of a child for the lowest-paid women, compared to a decrease of 5% for women with the highest salaries.
This phenomenon is explained both by parental leave and by the fact that women switch to part-time work.
Note:
- The average net salary of women in France in 2021, across all socio-professional groups combined, has significantly increased compared to that of men.
- Only the construction sector pays women almost as much as men (a difference of 0.1%).
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