The minimum wage and average salary in France in 2025

If you’re hoping to find a job in France or perhaps negotiate your salary then it’s a good idea to learn more about how wages work in the country. You might also want to look into what collective agreements exist within your industry and ensure that your pay reflects the standard for your position and responsibilities.

For expats working in France, managing your salary often extends beyond local banking – many workers need to send money to family abroad, maintain financial commitments in their home country, or manage expenses across multiple currencies. Understanding both your employment rights and your options for international money management can help you make the most of your French salary.

This article outlines the following information:

What is the minimum wage in France in 2025?

The minimum wage in France is known as the le salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance (Smic), and those who earn this salary are often referred to as “smicards”. Around 17% of workers in France make the minimum wage.

The French government revalues the minimum wage each year and sets a new one, typically in January. It is indexed to inflation for the 20% of households with the lowest incomes.

On November 1, 2024, France’s gross minimum wage increased by 2%, setting the hourly rate at €11.88. For a standard 35-hour workweek, this equates to a gross monthly salary of €1,801.80.

This adjustment places France among European countries with a national monthly gross minimum wage exceeding €1,500, alongside Luxembourg, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.

The Smic can include the basic employee salary, as well as benefits in kind and productivity bonuses. However, other factors such as the reimbursement of expenses, overtime, and other bonuses do not contribute towards it.

Exceptions to the minimum wage in France

Young people

The Smic applies to workers who are over the age of 18. However, apprentices and young employees below this age can legally receive anywhere from 27–100% of the Smic, depending on the position. That said, young workers who are employed for more than six months in the same company must receive full minimum wage.

Apprentices

The minimum wage does not apply to apprentices, who instead receive a salary determined as a percentage of the Smic. The amount they will get varies depending on their age and their level within the training program that the apprenticeship covers.

Interns

As an intern in France, you do not receive a salary but rather financial compensation which is known as gratification minimale or a minimum bonus. The legal minimum for this bonus is set at €4.35 per hour in 2025. Notably, public organizations cannot offer more than this sum to interns.

Private organizations, on the other hand, may have a collective agreement that sets a higher sum. An online simulator allows employers to calculate the minimum amount due based on the intern’s actual hours of attendance.

Variations by sector

Depending on the sector of activity, collective agreements (conventions collectives), which are negotiated by trade unions, generally define an agreed minimum wage. These negotiated wages often reflect the position of the job within the company’s hierarchy. If the wage is higher than the state-defined Smic, then this is the sum that the employee must receive.

The labor law website DicoTravail provides a summary of collective agreements by sector, along with free downloadable PDFs. You can use these resources to check what rules apply to your own profession in France.

The average salary in France in 2025

According to the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the average gross annual salary in France in 2024 was €39,800, which translates to approximately €3,316 per month.

What are the highest paying jobs in France?

Naturally, the average wage in France varies depending on the sector. For instance, public-sector jobs are not as well paid as private-sector jobs, even if they do provide greater job security. Indeed, management-level employees in the private sector can expect to earn average annual salaries of €48,903. Meanwhile, CEOs are the highest earners in the sector with average salaries of €64,875.

The average monthly net salaries in some of the best-paid sectors are as follows:

• Banking: €3,797
• Information Technology (IT): €4,308
• Law: €3,956
• Pharmaceuticals: €3,656
• Software development: €4,419
• Telecommunications: €4,001

French salary checker

You can use the Salary Data & Career Research Center for France to find out roughly what salary to expect to be paid according to your industry, position, degree, location, and years of experience.

The gender pay gap in France

In France, women employees earn, on average, about 20% less than their male counterparts. This percentage is slightly above the EU average.

In Paris, the difference is even more pronounced, with the pay gap reaching over 50% in some districts.

Salaries and wages for expats in France

According to the Interior Ministry, more than one in ten people working in France are immigrants or expats (2021). Out of the 3,173,900 active foreigners in the country, the majority (2,416,000) come from outside the EU, and 758,000 are from the EU. Furthermore, non-EU residents (58.6%) are more likely to be professionally active compared to EU residents (48.4%).

Managing finances across borders

For many expats earning a French salary, managing money internationally is a regular necessity. Whether you’re sending part of your salary to support your family abroad, paying off a mortgage in your home country, or simply maintaining financial flexibility across borders, the costs of international transfers can add up quickly.

Traditional methods of sending money internationally often include hidden costs in the exchange rate markup. Some providers include a markup in the exchange rate rather than an upfront fee. Check the total cost (exchange rate plus any fees) with your provider. 

Payment services like Wise offer an alternative approach for expats managing multi-currency finances. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate with transparent fees, allowing you to hold multiple currencies in one account – including EUR from your French salary alongside other currencies you might need. This can be particularly useful for expats who need to regularly convert portions of their French income to their home currency or send money internationally.

Wise is not a bank. Wise Europe SA is regulated in Belgium as a payment institution. Compare the total cost of your transfer across providers to find the option that suits you. You can check the fees for your specific transfer needs on the Wise website before making any decisions.

However, low income and poverty disproportionately affect those born in Africa. A 2015 study by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) highlights the difference between income depending on country of birth. And compared to Europeans, African households in France earn 25% to 30% less.

What to do if you’re not being paid the minimum wage

In France, employers can be fined €1,500 if they pay an employee less than the minimum wage. The employer may also have to pay damages: a sum intended to compensate the employee for the harm suffered. Furthermore, employees can receive back-pay for up to three years if they were underpaid. This period can cover up to five years if there is proof of discrimination.

If you believe that you should be getting paid more, you can reach out to your trade syndicate. However, if this is not possible, it is best to consult a labor lawyer (avocat en droit du travail) to find the best way to proceed. In France, the Conseil de prud’hommes (CPH) is the court responsible for settling workplace disputes.

Managing your French salary internationally

How can I send part of my French salary to my family abroad?

There are several ways to send money internationally from France. Many people use their banks. Some providers do not show the mid‑market exchange rate and include a markup in the rate they offer. Compare the total cost before you transfer.

Alternative payment services can offer better value. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for conversions and shows the fee upfront, so you know exactly how much will arrive. You simply enter the amount, choose your currencies, and the money typically arrives within 1-2 business days depending on the currency route. This can help more of your money arrive, depending on the currencies and route.

How can I avoid high fees when converting my French salary to my home currency?

The first step is understanding the true cost of currency conversion.

To compare providers fairly, always look at:

• The exchange rate being offered vs. the mid-market exchange rate
• Any fixed or percentage-based transfer fees
• How much money will actually arrive in the destination account

Services like Wise show you the mid-market exchange rate and charge a transparent fee that varies by currency and amount (usually between 0.35-2% depending on the currency). This means you can calculate the exact total cost before confirming any transfer. Compare the total cost across providers to choose the option that works best for you, especially on larger transfers or frequently-sent amounts.

Conclusion

Understanding your rights regarding minimum wage and average salaries in France is essential for any expat working in the country. Whether you’re earning the Smic or negotiating a higher salary based on collective agreements in your sector, knowing the legal framework protects you from underpayment and helps you plan your finances effectively.

For expats, financial planning often extends beyond French borders. Managing international transfers, supporting family abroad, or maintaining commitments in your home country are all part of expat life. Taking time to understand the true costs of international money management – including hidden exchange rate markups – can help you keep more of your hard-earned French salary.

If you’re looking for ways to manage money across borders more efficiently, Wise offers transparent international transfers and multi-currency accounts designed for people living and working internationally.

Useful resources

• Service-Public.fr – the official website of the French government administration, with a developed section on working in France
• Interior Ministry – offers information for immigrants and expats in France
• Ministry of Labor – provides information on French labor law
• Welcome to France – a French government website for expats (in English) with information about employment and work permits
• Payscale – allows you to check average salaries in France by profession, industry, experience level, and location
• DicoTravail – provides information about French labor law and collective agreements