Salaries of central-government employees in 2008

In 2008, French central-government employees earned an average monthly salary of €2,772 gross (before social contributions) and €2,328 net. Net wages rose 3.7% in constant euros between 2007 and 2008, slightly outpacing the 3.4% increase in gross wages. Allowing for 2.8% price growth in 2008, net wages rose 0.9% in constant euros. However, if we exclude from the 2007 total the 50,000 low-skilled workers whose management was transferred to local government in 2008, the net increase came to only 2.7% in current euros, i.e., a negative 0.1% change in constant euros. Average net earnings of workers on the payroll in both 2007 and 2008 rose 4.5% in current euros, i.e., 1.6% in constant euros versus 1.8% the previous year.