The average salary in France for 2025 is €2,735 net per month, but significant disparities exist based on contract type, industry, location, and professional status. The median salary is €2,183 net monthly, revealing a clearer earnings distribution. While salaries have generally risen since 1996, growth is uneven, with public sector wages lagging behind private sector increases. Additionally, a persistent gender pay gap remains, with women earning 13.5% less than men on average.
Understanding the Average Salary Landscape in France for 2025
The average salary landscape in France for 2025 continues to transform, shaped by the dynamic nature of the labor market. While certain sectors enjoy substantial salary boosts, others find it challenging to keep pace with inflation. Beneath the surface of official statistics, pronounced disparities exist across professions, regions, and social classes. This analysis aims to shed light on your current salary standing.
Current Average Salary: The Figures Behind the Numbers
According to Insee, the average salary in France for 2025 stands at €2,735 net per month, translating to €3,613 gross monthly or €43,356 gross annually. However, this figure conceals a more intricate reality that is influenced by several factors:
- Contract Type: Permanent, fixed-term, or part-time positions can significantly affect earnings.
- Industry Sector: Compensation levels vary widely among different professions.
- Geographical Location: Salaries in Île-de-France are notably higher than in other regions.
- Professional Status: Executives, employees, and civil servants have different pay scales.
The average salary is computed based on full-time equivalent (EQTP), which excludes part-time workers who typically earn less. Therefore, the median salary—dividing the population into two equal halves (50% earn more, 50% earn less)—often provides a clearer picture of the earnings landscape.
Exploring the Median Salary and Disparities
For 2025, the median salary is estimated at €2,183 net per month, reflecting a 20.2% difference from the average salary. This figure presents a more accurate representation of the earnings of French workers, as it is less influenced by exceptionally high incomes that skew the average upwards.
Additional insights illustrate the salary landscape:
- 25% of employees earn less than €1,512 net per month.
- The top 10% of earners make over €4,302 net monthly.
- The top 1% earn above €10,222 net per month.
Trends in Salary Evolution Over the Years
From 1996 to 2022, the average net salary increased by 14.1% when adjusted for inflation, equating to an annual growth rate of 0.5%. However, this growth has not been uniform across all sectors.
Significant Salary Increases:
- Workers: +16.3%
- Employees: +11.2%
- Minimum Wage: The gross minimum wage has risen to €1,801.80 in 2025 (net €1,426.30).
Minimal Salary Increases:
- Executives: +3.4% over 26 years
- Intermediate Professions: +2.4%
These lower increases indicate a stagnation in pay, often dictated by varying bonuses and economic circumstances.
Public vs. Private Sector Salary Disparities
In the public sector, salaries are as follows:
- General Average: €2,530 net/month.
- Tenured Civil Servants: €2,600 net/month.
- Contractual Agents: €2,340 net/month.
During the period from 2008 to 2021, public sector salaries saw a modest increase of only 1.6%, compared to a more robust 5.8% in the private sector.
Salary Breakdown by Profession and Sector
The salary discrepancies among various occupations in 2025 are stark:
- Executives: €4,570 net/month.
- Intermediate Professions: €2,660 net/month.
- Employees: €1,960 net/month.
- Workers: €2,030 net/month.
When analyzing by sector, the salaries are as follows:
- Industry: €3,014 net/month.
- Financial Services: €4,173 net/month.
- Construction: €2,439 net/month.
- Catering: €1,980 net/month.
These differences can largely be attributed to the qualifications required for various positions, with sectors boasting a higher concentration of executives offering significantly better compensation.
Regional Salary Variations
Regional salary discrepancies are also notable:
- Île-de-France: €3,218 net/month (+29% compared to the national average).
- Hauts-de-Seine: €3,730 net/month (+58%).
- Brittany, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Corsica: Approximately €2,160 net/month.
Île-de-France benefits from a concentration of major corporations, financial services, and tech industries, while rural and tourist areas, particularly in agriculture and catering, continue to offer lower salaries.
Gender Pay Gap: Progress and Ongoing Challenges
Despite gradual improvements, the pay gap between men and women persists:
- In 2023, women earned an average of 13.5% less than men when considering full-time equivalents.
- Since 1995, this gap has narrowed by 9.2 percentage points.
- For equivalent roles and hours worked, the gap reduces to 4%.
Women are still underrepresented in high-paying roles and are disproportionately affected by part-time work, highlighting the need for continued efforts towards pay equity.