Engineer Salaries 2025: Complete Grids by Sector and Region

Engineer Salaries in France: 2025 Overview

The engineering job market is tight. And tight market means rising salaries.

In 2025, the median salary for an engineer in France stands at €48,500 gross annual. But this average hides enormous disparities based on sector, region, experience, and specialization.

This guide gives you complete, updated grids to benchmark your offers (recruiters) or negotiate your salary (candidates).

What This Article Contains

• Salaries by experience level (entry to expert)
• Grids by industry sector (IT, construction, energy, manufacturing...)
• Differences by region (Paris vs provinces)
• Focus on the highest-paying roles
• Evolution and 2025-2026 trends
• Negotiation advice

---

Salaries by Experience Level

General Grid Across All Sectors

France-wide data, all sectors. Source: APEC, IESF, Glassdoor 2024-2025 compilation

What Influences Salary

---

Salaries by Industry Sector

1. IT / Digital

The highest-paying sector on average, driven by shortage.

IT bonuses and perks:

• Variable: 5-15% of base
• Stock options/BSPCE (startups): significant potential
• Remote: often 100% possible

2. Construction

Construction benefits:

• Company car (almost systematic)
• Site bonuses: €3-10K/year
• Profit sharing: 1-3 months

3. Energy / Renewables / Nuclear

Energy specifics:

• On-call bonuses (nuclear)
• Travel reimbursed
• Sector with strong salary growth (+8-12%/year)

4. Manufacturing

Manufacturing benefits:

• Often high profit sharing (large corporations)
• More stable hours than construction
• Funded continuous training

5. Aerospace / Defense

Aerospace/defense specifics:

• Security clearance required: +5-10% premium
• Large corporations = significant social benefits
• Toulouse/Paris = main hubs

6. Consulting / Staffing Companies

Consulting/staffing specifics:

• Significant variable (10-30% of base)
• Fast career progression possible
• Lower base but perks (training, network)

---

Salaries by Region

Paris vs Provinces Gap

Detailed Paris vs Lyon vs Provinces Comparison

The Real Calculation: Salary vs Cost of Living

In real purchasing power, provincial cities are often more advantageous.

---

Highest-Paying Roles in 2025

Top 15 Engineer Salaries

Skills That Boost Salary

---

Salary Evolution: 2025-2026 Trends

Observed Increases

Drivers of Increase

1. Structural shortage: 60,000 missing engineers/year
2. Energy transition: massive renewable needs
3. Digital sovereignty: repatriating skills
4. International competition: alignment with Swiss/US salaries
5. Inflation: purchasing power catch-up

---

How to Negotiate Your Engineer Salary

For Candidates

Before the interview:

• Benchmark your profile (use this guide!)
• Identify your differentiating skills
• Prepare a range (acceptable min → target → hoped max)

During negotiation: Negotiation levers:

• Remote work (valued at €3-5K/year)
• Training / certifications
• Variable / bonus
• Additional days off
• Company car

For Recruiters

Recommended positioning: In 2025, in a shortage market, targeting the median is no longer enough.

---

Total Package: Beyond Base Salary

Typical Engineer Package Composition

Complete Package Example

Mid-level IT Engineer in Paris: A €58K base can represent a real package of nearly €80K.

---

Conclusion: The Market Favors Engineers

In 2025, the balance of power is clearly in favor of engineer candidates.

Key takeaways:

1. 📈 Salaries have increased 15-25% in 3 years
2. 🔥 Energy, cyber, and AI sectors are driving salaries up
3. 🏠 Remote work has become a valued standard
4. 📍 The Paris/provinces gap is narrowing (and provincial purchasing power is rising)
5. 💰 Total package matters as much as base salary

For recruiters: position above market to attract. For candidates: you have the power. Negotiate.