Median income & average salary in France in 2026

How high are salaries in France really? To better understand income distribution, two key indicators are generally considered: the median salary and the average salary. They provide an overview of salary levels, while also highlighting differences between occupational groups, sectors and regions. Here are the key figures on income in France in 2026.

The median salary and the average salary offer two different perspectives. The median salary makes it easier to see the differences between low and very high incomes.

By definition, half of employees earn less than the median salary, while the other half earn more. It therefore represents the exact midpoint.

According to Insee, the median salary in France is €2,190 net per month in full-time equivalent terms. The median salary is therefore 19.9% lower than the average salary. Very high incomes push the average salary upwards:

• One in ten employees earns less than €1,492 net per month.
• At the same time, one in ten employees earns more than €4,334 net per month.

☝ Good to know: For more detailed analyses of wage differences, Insee also classifies incomes by quartiles (1/4), deciles (1/10) and even percentiles (1/100).

The figures presented here are based on the latest official data from Insee available in 2026:

• Monthly median income: €2,190 net
• Annual median income: €28,470 net

Median salary in France in 2026 by status

💡 Reminder: According to figures from Drees, around €1,760 per month is needed to maintain a decent standard of living in France.

According to the latest data from Insee, in 2026 the average salary in France is €2,730 in the private sector compared with €2,530 in the public service (net per month).

These amounts correspond to full-time employment (full-time equivalent) and therefore provide an overview of the distribution of salaries on the French labour market. They also highlight the structural difference between the two sectors, with the private sector offering slightly higher average salaries, while the public sector, with its fixed salary scales, has a more uniform level of pay.

Average salary in the private sector

In 2026, the average salary in France for a full-time position is €2,730 net per month in the private sector:

• Average monthly net income: €2,730
• Average monthly gross income: €3,602
• Average annual gross income: €43,356

However, it should be noted that this figure conceals significant differences between the various socio-professional categories:

Average salary in the public service

In the public service, salary development differs significantly from the private sector, both in terms of organisation and progression. The pay system is based on strict salary scales, which ensure a relative degree of uniformity within each career group or category of civil servant.

In 2026, the average full-time salary in the public sector is €2,530 net per month. However, this figure conceals significant differences depending on status and role, particularly:

• Public hospital service (Fonction publique hospitalière): approx. €2,734 net per month
• Territorial public service (Fonction publique territoriale): approx. €2,145 net per month
• Central government public service (Fonction publique d'État): approx. €2,743 net per month

📌 Note: These differences reflect the specific characteristics of each sector, with salaries in the hospital and central government public services generally higher than those in the territorial public service.

Average income in the French regions

The gross salaries shown below were estimated based on average net salaries by region, using a flat rate of 25% for employee social contributions. This rate corresponds to an employee in the private sector who does not hold a management position.

Find out more:

• Minimum wage in France (SMIC): Rates & regulations
• Average salary in Europe: Country ranking
• Minimum wage in Europe: Country ranking

Olivier Geslin