French managers’ purchasing power falls as inflation outpaces wages

Over nearly 20 years, managers have experienced an 11.6% loss in purchasing power.

The trend is widespread but more pronounced among middle-career managers (aged 30-49) and those working in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This conclusion is based on data from a survey of 19,000 private sector managers conducted monthly since 2007.

For the first time since 2010, the median salary for managers has slightly decreased, falling from €55,000 to €54,000.

This decline is attributed to the fact that fewer than half of managers received a salary increase this year.

While changing jobs remains the most effective way to increase earnings, professional mobility has diminished its impact on salaries.

This year, salaries for female managers increased at the same rate as those for male managers, although pay gaps persist. Overall, the difference remains at 15%, narrowing to 6.8% for managers with similar profiles. Among managers over 50, the gender pay gap reaches 9.5%.

In September, a survey conducted for the Ugict-CGT revealed that concerns about salary levels among managers have reached the same level as those regarding work-life balance – a first. “The balance of power is shifting slightly more in favor of companies,” Coury stated.