Wages in the private sector In 2017, the average net wage increased by 0.9% in constant euros
In 2017, the average net monthly wage per full-time equivalent in the private sector reached 2,314 net euros. It increased by 0.9% in real terms. This growth is stronger than both that of 2016 (+0.5%) and the average trend observed over the two last decades (+0.6% per year).
Half of the employees in the private sector earned less than 1,845 euros net monthly per full-time equivalent. At the tails of the distribution, the lowest paid 10% earned less than 1,274 monthly (1st decile), whereas the highest paid 10% received more than 3,654 euros (9th decile). Wage increases were slightly stronger at the top of the distribution in 2017. As a consequence, wage discrepancies rose slightly, in line with the trend beginning in 2010.
Women’s net wages per full-time equivalent were 16.8% lower on average than those of men. This gender wage gap decreased by 0.9 point since 2016, and by 3.7 points since 2008.
The wage of workers present in the same establishment from January 1st, 2016 to December 31st, 2017, who represented just over half of the private sector employees, increased by 3.0% in real terms. This increase largely reflects career advancements and seniority gains of this group.
