In this guide we will look at the overall average salary in Paris, by profession, income tax and the overall cost of living.
Introduction and context
Paris is the capital and most populous city of France, with an estimated population of 2,161,000 residents as of 2020. Paris is known for its high cost of living, but it is also a city that offers many opportunities for those who are willing to work hard.
Average salary in Paris
The average salary in France is €39,300 according to INSEE. However the average salary in Paris is €49,000. This figure can vary depending on factors such as experience, education, and industry. A software engineer in Paris can expect to earn an average salary of €45,712, while a project manager can expect to earn an average salary of €46,681.
These figures are averages, which can be skewed due to some very high earners and some very low earners. Instead it can be more helpful to look at median salaries.
Median salary in Paris
The median salary in Paris is the middle point of the salary distribution, which means that half of the population earns less than this amount while the other half earns more.
The median salary in Paris is €46,900. This is higher than the French median salary of €36,000, but also reflects the higher cost of living in Paris.
Cost of living
The cost of living in Paris can be high. According to Numbeo, in August 2023, excluding rent, the estimated monthly cost of living for a family of four is €3,712 and for a single person is €1,041. This includes expenses such as food, transportation, and utilities. Like many European countries, inflation in France is running high and according to INSEE inflation was confirmed at 4.5% in June 2023.
However, it is possible to live more frugally in Paris. By shopping in low cost supermarkets like Carrefour and Auchan and using low cost mobile phone networks like Free you can keep your costs low.
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Minimum wage
The minimum wage in France is known as the “salaire minimum interprofessionnel de croissance (SMIC)”. The current gross (before tax) minimum wage in France in 2022 is €10.57 per hour which works out to a net hourly (after tax) salary of €8.37. Per annum that is €19,787 gross, or €15,668 net.
Average salary in Paris by profession
According to data from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), the average annual net (after tax) salary in Paris in 2020 was €36,510. However, this figure varies depending on the profession. The table below shows some of the most popular occupations in Paris and their average annual net salaries in 2020.
| Profession | Average annual net salary (€) |
|---|---|
| Software engineer | 45,000 |
| Project manager | 44,000 |
| Data scientist | 42,000 |
| Data analyst | 40,000 |
| Senior software engineer | 55,000 |
| Marketing manager | 46,000 |
| Customer success manager | 38,000 |
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Taxes in France
In France, individuals who have their tax domicile in the country are subject to personal income tax (PIT) on their worldwide income unless excluded by a tax treaty (Double Taxation Treaty). For US citizens, you may be obliged to pay both US federal tax and French PIT.
The French tax system uses a progressive rate structure, which means that the more you earn, the higher your tax rate will be. The rates are progressive from 0% to 45%, plus a surtax of 3% on income that exceeds €250,000 for a single person and €500,000 for a married couple and of 4% for income that exceeds €500,000 for a single person and €1 million for a married couple.
Here is a table showing the French income tax bands and rates for 2023:
| Taxable income (€) | Tax Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Up to €10,777 | 0 |
| €10,778 to €27,478 | 11 |
| €10,778 to €27,478 | 30 |
| €78,571 to €168,994 | 41 |
| Over €168,994 | 45 |
When do I get paid?
In France, employees are typically paid on a monthly basis. It is typically the last days of the month or beginning of the month. The exact date that you will receive your salary can fluctuate from month to month depending on weekends and bank holidays.
