France · EUR · 2026
Salaries in France
What 32 careers pay in France, highest first. The middle of the table sits around €51,000 a year; surgeons lead at €140,000.
| # | Career | Industry | Entry | Median | Senior | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surgeon | Healthcare | €100k | €140,000 | €260k | €77 |
| 2 | Investment Banker | Finance | €72k | €115,000 | €390k | €63 |
| 3 | Air Traffic Controller | Aviation | €52k | €97,000 | €145k | €53.50 |
| 4 | Commercial Pilot | Aviation | €39k | €97,000 | €290k | €53.50 |
| 5 | Quantitative Analyst | Finance | €56k | €87,000 | €255k | €48 |
| 6 | Machine Learning Engineer | Technology | €54k | €79,000 | €160k | €43.50 |
| 7 | Actuary | Finance | €41k | €75,000 | €145k | €41 |
| 8 | Dentist | Healthcare | €52k | €75,000 | €135k | €41 |
| 9 | Lawyer | Legal | €34k | €70,000 | €205k | €38.50 |
| 10 | Aerospace Engineer | Aviation | €39k | €63,000 | €97k | €34.50 |
| 11 | Data Scientist | Technology | €38k | €63,000 | €105k | €34.50 |
| 12 | Product Manager | Technology | €44k | €63,000 | €120k | €34.50 |
| 13 | DevOps Engineer | Technology | €41k | €62,000 | €105k | €34 |
| 14 | Software Engineer | Technology | €35k | €62,000 | €115k | €34 |
| 15 | Cybersecurity Analyst | Technology | €35k | €60,000 | €100k | €33 |
| 16 | Project Manager | Technology | €38k | €60,000 | €92k | €33 |
| 17 | Elevator Technician | Skilled Trades | €28k | €51,000 | €76k | €28 |
| 18 | Pharmacist | Healthcare | €41k | €51,000 | €64k | €28 |
| 19 | Physician Assistant | Healthcare | €39k | €48,000 | €65k | €26.50 |
| 20 | UX Designer | Technology | €33k | €48,000 | €85k | €26.50 |
| 21 | Compliance Officer | Legal | €35k | €45,000 | €87k | €24.50 |
| 22 | Registered Nurse | Healthcare | €32k | €45,000 | €65k | €24.50 |
| 23 | Data Analyst | Technology | €29k | €42,000 | €70k | €23 |
| 24 | Electrician | Skilled Trades | €29k | €42,000 | €75k | €23 |
| 25 | Financial Analyst | Finance | €30k | €41,000 | €71k | €22.50 |
| 26 | Accountant | Finance | €29k | €40,000 | €67k | €22 |
| 27 | Plumber | Skilled Trades | €26k | €40,000 | €66k | €22 |
| 28 | Aircraft Mechanic | Aviation | €23k | €39,000 | €62k | €21.50 |
| 29 | Flight Attendant | Aviation | €23k | €32,000 | €50k | €17.50 |
| 30 | HVAC Technician | Skilled Trades | €23k | €30,000 | €46k | €16.50 |
| 31 | Paralegal | Legal | €23k | €29,000 | €50k | €16 |
| 32 | Welder | Skilled Trades | €23k | €27,000 | €57k | €15 |
Gross annual pay before tax. Hourly rates assume a standard 35-hour week. How we estimate these figures.
Working in France
French salaries trail Germany and the Netherlands, but Paris is a genuine tech and finance hub that pays well above the rest of the country. The 35-hour framework, five-plus weeks of holiday and strong protections change the total value of an offer.
Tax
Income tax up to 45%. Employee social contributions come off gross pay before tax, and employers pay heavy social charges on top of the salary.
Monaco, surrounded by France, has its own minimum wage, work permits and tax rules, and many of its employees live in France. See Working in Monaco.
Tools and guides for France
- Hourly to salary calculator: an hourly wage to yearly pay, with take-home pay in France
Questions about pay in France
What is the highest-paying job in France?
Of the 32 careers Paygrade tracks, surgeons earn the most in France, with a median of about €140,000 a year in 2026. Investment bankers (€115,000) and air traffic controllers (€97,000) follow.
What is the best-paid job in France without a degree?
Air traffic controllers earn a median of about €97,000 a year in France, and the usual route in is certification rather than a university degree.
How much tax will I pay on a salary in France?
Income tax up to 45%. Employee social contributions come off gross pay before tax, and employers pay heavy social charges on top of the salary.