France remains one of Europe’s most dynamic and diversified economies, offering world-class career opportunities across sectors like finance, healthcare, engineering, and technology. With a strong emphasis on education, innovation, and global competitiveness, high salaries in France often reflect both specialization and seniority. Pay is strongly influenced by experience, company size (CAC 40 vs. SME), and academic pedigree—particularly for graduates from Grandes Écoles. This guide explores the top 100 highest-paying jobs in France, providing insight into where expertise and leadership are most financially rewarded.

Highest-paying Jobs in France – Follow The Money

1. Président-Directeur Général (PDG) / Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Salary: €150,000 – €500,000+
The PDG is the highest-ranking executive, responsible for strategic direction, profitability, and long-term growth. CEOs oversee all departments, report to the board, and make high-impact decisions that define company success. In France, CEOs of large corporations or multinationals often receive massive compensation packages, including bonuses, stock options, and performance-based pay. Their role demands leadership vision, business acumen, and the ability to navigate complex European markets and regulations while driving sustainable competitiveness.

2. Directeur Général Délégué (DGD) / Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Salary: €130,000 – €300,000+
The COO manages daily operations, ensuring smooth coordination between departments and execution of the CEO’s strategic goals. In France’s large corporations, this role covers production, logistics, HR, and quality control. COOs translate vision into measurable outcomes, streamline workflows, and optimize operational efficiency. Their value lies in balancing leadership and technical insight—especially in manufacturing, energy, and tech sectors. They’re also often next in line for CEO positions, explaining their high remuneration and influence.

3. Directeur Financier (DF) / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Salary: €120,000 – €250,000+
CFOs manage all financial aspects—accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and investor relations. They play a central role in corporate strategy, ensuring profitability and compliance with French and EU financial regulations. Their expertise drives mergers, acquisitions, and risk management. A strong CFO is indispensable for maintaining liquidity and financial health, especially in large, publicly traded companies. High responsibility and the impact on corporate stability justify the CFO’s significant salary and performance-linked bonuses.

4. Directeur des Systèmes d’Information (DSI) / Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Salary: €100,000 – €220,000+
The CIO oversees a company’s information systems, cybersecurity, and digital transformation strategy. In France’s modern economy, the DSI ensures technological innovation aligns with business goals, managing infrastructure, software, and data architecture. As firms undergo AI and cloud integration, this role’s importance has soared. CIOs bridge technical leadership with executive vision, shaping how organizations adapt to automation and connectivity—earning them a place among the highest-paid corporate leaders in France.

5. Directeur Technique / Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Salary: €100,000 – €200,000+
CTOs lead innovation and oversee technological development, particularly in startups and high-tech industries. They guide R&D teams, implement emerging technologies, and maintain competitive edge through product advancement. In France’s vibrant tech hubs like Paris and Lyon, CTOs are essential in scaling operations and maintaining cybersecurity. Their blend of engineering expertise and strategic foresight drives company value creation, making them among the most sought-after—and well-compensated—executives in the tech ecosystem.

6. Directeur Commercial / Chief Revenue Officer (CRO)

Salary: €100,000 – €220,000+
The Directeur Commercial or CRO leads national and international sales strategies to drive revenue and market expansion. They manage teams, partnerships, and performance metrics while aligning sales with marketing and product goals. In France, their success directly influences company turnover, especially in luxury, industrial, and tech sectors. High bonuses tied to revenue growth make this one of the most rewarding and pressure-driven executive positions.

7. Directeur Marketing / Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Salary: €95,000 – €190,000+
The CMO develops brand strategy, customer engagement, and product positioning. In France’s consumer-driven economy, particularly within luxury goods and automotive industries, the CMO’s role combines creativity with data analytics. They oversee advertising, market research, and digital campaigns. With the rise of e-commerce and AI-driven marketing, CMOs command high pay for their ability to strengthen brand loyalty and boost global visibility in competitive markets.

8. Directeur des Ressources Humaines (DRH) / Chief HR Officer

Salary: €90,000 – €180,000+
The DRH manages recruitment, labor relations, and workforce development. In France, where labor laws and unions play significant roles, HR leadership requires deep legal and interpersonal expertise. The Chief HR Officer designs compensation strategies, ensures compliance with social policies, and promotes workplace culture. As talent retention and diversity become corporate priorities, HR executives earn strong salaries for balancing legal compliance with people-centered strategies that sustain organizational health.

9. Directeur Juridique / General Counsel

Salary: €100,000 – €200,000+
The Directeur Juridique serves as the company’s top legal advisor, handling contracts, compliance, litigation, and corporate governance. In France’s regulated environment, legal oversight is crucial, especially in banking, energy, and pharmaceuticals. The role demands expert knowledge of French and EU law, negotiation skills, and strategic risk management. Their work protects corporate interests and prevents costly disputes—earning them high pay and prestige within the executive team.

10. Directeur de la Stratégie / Head of Strategy

Salary: €110,000 – €230,000+
The Head of Strategy defines long-term goals, monitors market trends, and identifies new growth opportunities. Working closely with the CEO, they lead mergers, acquisitions, and competitive analysis. In France’s globalized industries, this role blends analytical precision with business foresight. Strategic directors drive innovation, efficiency, and profitability across divisions, justifying their high compensation. Their insights shape the company’s evolution in fast-changing European and international markets.

11. Directeur en Banque d’Investissement / Investment Banking Managing Director

Salary: €150,000 – €400,000+
Managing Directors in investment banking lead high-value deals, from IPOs to mergers and acquisitions. In Paris’s financial sector, they work with top corporations and institutional investors. Their work demands deep financial modeling skills, negotiation expertise, and global client networks. The pressure and long hours are intense, but the payoff includes exceptional bonuses tied to deal size and profitability, placing this among France’s highest-paying finance roles.

12. Trader (Senior)

Salary: €120,000 – €350,000+
Senior Traders in France’s financial centers manage portfolios, buying and selling financial instruments like equities, derivatives, or foreign exchange. Their success directly impacts profit margins. High-pressure decision-making, market timing, and risk management define their day. Bonuses often exceed base salaries, especially at large investment banks. Despite automation in finance, skilled human traders remain vital—earning premium compensation for consistent profitability in volatile markets.

13. Gérant de Portefeuille / Fund Manager

Salary: €110,000 – €300,000+
Fund Managers oversee investment portfolios for clients, institutions, or mutual funds. They analyze markets, assess risk, and optimize returns. In France, where the asset management industry is highly competitive, fund managers’ performance determines client satisfaction and firm reputation. Exceptional results can lead to multimillion-euro bonuses. The role combines analytical skill, market knowledge, and strong communication—making it one of the finance sector’s most lucrative and respected professions.

14. Analyste en Finance Quantitative / Quantitative Analyst

Salary: €80,000 – €180,000+
Quant Analysts develop mathematical models to forecast market movements, price securities, and manage financial risks. Their work underpins algorithmic trading and risk assessment. In Paris’s growing fintech sector, quants with expertise in Python, statistics, and data science are in high demand. The blend of mathematical complexity and financial acumen justifies their high pay, particularly in investment banks, hedge funds, and insurance firms.

15. Responsable du Contrôle de Gestion / Head of Management Control

Salary: €85,000 – €160,000+
This role monitors company budgets, forecasts, and cost efficiency. In France’s large industrial and service firms, management controllers ensure financial resources align with strategy. They support executives with decision-making tools, KPI analysis, and performance optimization. Their insight helps prevent waste and improve profitability. The role’s strategic influence and financial oversight explain its high remuneration and growing importance in the French corporate ecosystem.

16. Directeur de la Trésorerie / Head of Treasury

Salary: €90,000 – €170,000+
The Head of Treasury oversees liquidity, funding, and financial risk management. In France, they handle banking relationships, cash flow forecasts, and currency exposure for multinationals. This position demands precision, market understanding, and strong negotiation skills. Because treasury operations sustain financial stability, especially in volatile economies, these professionals command high salaries—often supplemented with bonuses linked to performance and interest management efficiency.

17. Actuaire (Senior/Chief Actuary)

Salary: €80,000 – €150,000+
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to assess risk for insurance, pensions, and investment sectors. Their analyses influence pricing, reserves, and capital requirements. In France, actuaries are among the most mathematically skilled professionals, combining analytics with regulatory insight. As financial products grow more complex, their expertise becomes indispensable, making actuarial science a highly paid and secure career.

18. Auditeur Interne / Head of Internal Audit

Salary: €80,000 – €150,000+
The Head of Internal Audit ensures compliance, detects inefficiencies, and prevents fraud. In France’s corporate landscape, transparency and regulatory adherence are crucial. Internal auditors evaluate processes across finance, IT, and operations to safeguard assets and reputation. Their role supports both risk management and strategic decision-making, justifying high pay—especially in large or publicly listed firms where accuracy and integrity are essential.

19. Expert-Comptable / Certified Accountant

Salary: €70,000 – €140,000+
Certified Accountants handle audits, tax filings, and financial reporting for corporations and individuals. In France, becoming an Expert-Comptable requires years of study and professional certification. They ensure compliance with tax laws and optimize financial efficiency. Independent accountants and firm partners can earn exceptional income, especially with corporate clients. Their credibility and technical mastery make them key figures in France’s financial infrastructure.

20. Directeur Private Equity / Venture Capital Director

Salary: €130,000 – €300,000+
Private Equity Directors manage investment portfolios, acquiring and restructuring companies for profit. They perform due diligence, oversee management teams, and plan profitable exits. In France, private equity is expanding rapidly, especially in Paris and Lyon. Their earnings stem from high base pay and lucrative performance fees. The role demands strategic insight, negotiation mastery, and financial expertise—placing it among the most prestigious in the investment world.

Top 100 Highest-Paying Jobs in France (Salaires Annuels Bruts)

No.	Job Title (FR / EN)	Sector	Salary Range (€ / year)
1	Président-Directeur Général (PDG) / Chief Executive Officer (CEO)	Executive & Management	€150,000 – €500,000+
2	Directeur Général Délégué (DGD) / Chief Operating Officer (COO)	Executive & Management	€130,000 – €300,000+
3	Directeur Financier (DF) / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	Finance & Management	€120,000 – €250,000+
4	Directeur des Systèmes d’Information (DSI) / Chief Information Officer (CIO)	IT & Executive	€100,000 – €220,000+
5	Directeur Technique / Chief Technology Officer (CTO)	Tech & Innovation	€100,000 – €200,000+
6	Directeur Commercial / Chief Revenue Officer	Sales & Executive	€100,000 – €220,000+
7	Directeur Marketing / Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)	Marketing	€95,000 – €190,000+
8	Directeur des Ressources Humaines (DRH) / Chief HR Officer	Human Resources	€90,000 – €180,000+
9	Directeur Juridique / General Counsel	Legal & Corporate	€100,000 – €200,000+
10	Directeur de la Stratégie / Head of Strategy	Corporate Strategy	€110,000 – €230,000+
11	Directeur en Banque d’Investissement / Investment Banking MD	Banking & Finance	€150,000 – €400,000+
12	Trader (Senior)	Finance & Markets	€120,000 – €350,000+
13	Gérant de Portefeuille / Fund Manager	Asset Management	€110,000 – €300,000+
14	Analyste en Finance Quantitative / Quant Analyst	Finance	€80,000 – €180,000+
15	Responsable du Contrôle de Gestion / Head of Management Control	Finance	€85,000 – €160,000+
16	Directeur de la Trésorerie / Head of Treasury	Finance	€90,000 – €170,000+
17	Actuaire (Senior/Chief Actuary)	Insurance & Risk	€80,000 – €150,000+
18	Auditeur Interne / Head of Internal Audit	Finance & Audit	€80,000 – €150,000+
19	Expert-Comptable / Certified Accountant	Accounting	€70,000 – €140,000+
20	Directeur Private Equity / Venture Capital	Investment	€130,000 – €300,000+
21	Avocat d’Affaires / Corporate Lawyer (Partner)	Legal	€120,000 – €400,000+
22	Juriste d’Entreprise / In-house Counsel	Legal	€90,000 – €180,000+
23	Juge / Magistrat	Law & Public Sector	€50,000 – €120,000+
24	Notaire / Notary	Legal	€70,000 – €200,000+
25	Chirurgien / Surgeon	Medicine	€120,000 – €300,000+
26	Médecin Spécialiste / Specialist Doctor	Healthcare	€100,000 – €250,000+
27	Médecin Généraliste / General Practitioner	Healthcare	€70,000 – €150,000+
28	Pharmacien (Titulaire) / Pharmacy Owner	Healthcare	€80,000 – €200,000+
29	Directeur d’Hôpital / Hospital Director	Healthcare	€90,000 – €150,000+
30	Dentiste / Dental Surgeon	Healthcare	€80,000 – €180,000+
31	Directeur Cybersécurité / Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)	IT & Cybersecurity	€90,000 – €180,000+
32	Architecte Cloud / Cloud Architect	IT	€70,000 – €120,000+
33	Data Scientist (Senior/Head of)	Data Science	€65,000 – €110,000+
34	Ingénieur IA / AI Engineer (Lead)	Artificial Intelligence	€70,000 – €130,000+
35	DevOps Manager / Lead	IT	€65,000 – €115,000+
36	Architecte Logiciel / Software Architect	Software	€65,000 – €110,000+
37	Directeur de Projet SI / IT Program Director	IT	€80,000 – €140,000+
38	Ingénieur Blockchain / Blockchain Engineer	IT	€65,000 – €120,000+
39	Product Manager (Tech)	Technology	€65,000 – €110,000+
40	Responsable Transformation Numérique / Digital Transformation Lead	Digital Strategy	€75,000 – €135,000+
41	Ingénieur Aérospatiale / Aerospace Engineer (Senior)	Engineering	€60,000 – €100,000+
42	Ingénieur Énergie / Energy Engineer	Energy	€65,000 – €110,000+
43	Directeur d’Usine / Plant Director	Manufacturing	€85,000 – €150,000+
44	Ingénieur Automobile / Automotive Engineer (R&D)	Engineering	€60,000 – €100,000+
45	Chief Engineer (Maritime)	Marine & Industry	€70,000 – €130,000+
46	Ingénieur Procédés / Process Engineer	Chemical & Industrial	€65,000 – €105,000+
47	Responsable HSE / Health, Safety & Environment Manager	Engineering	€60,000 – €95,000+
48	Ingénieur BTP / Civil Engineer (Project Manager)	Construction	€70,000 – €120,000+
49	Ingénieur Robotique / Robotics Engineer	Technology	€60,000 – €105,000+
50	Directeur de Production / Production Director	Manufacturing	€75,000 – €130,000+
51	Directeur Commercial / Sales Director	Sales	€90,000 – €180,000+
52	Key Account Manager / Grands Comptes	Sales	€65,000 – €120,000+
53	Directeur Marketing Digital / Head of Digital Marketing	Marketing	€75,000 – €140,000+
54	Responsable Ventes Internationales / Head of International Sales	Sales	€70,000 – €130,000+
55	Head of Product Management (FMCG/Luxury)	Marketing	€80,000 – €150,000+
56	Directeur Communication / Communications Director	Marketing	€70,000 – €120,000+
57	Commandant de Bord (Long-Courrier) / Airline Captain	Aviation	€100,000 – €200,000+
58	Commandant de Bord (Moyen-Courrier) / Airline Pilot	Aviation	€80,000 – €150,000+
59	Ingénieur Aéronautique / Aeronautical Engineer	Engineering	€65,000 – €110,000+
60	Associé / Partner (Top Consulting Firm)	Consulting	€150,000 – €400,000+
61	Directeur Conseil / Senior Consulting Director	Consulting	€100,000 – €200,000+
62	Consultant Stratégie / Strategy Consultant (Senior)	Consulting	€80,000 – €130,000+
63	Consultant Transformation Digitale / Digital Transformation Consultant	Consulting	€70,000 – €110,000+
64	Auditeur Interne (Senior) / Senior Internal Auditor	Audit	€65,000 – €100,000+
65	Architecte (Grand Projet) / Architect	Design & Construction	€70,000 – €130,000+
66	Pilote de Ligne Maritime / Ship Captain	Maritime	€70,000 – €120,000+
67	Chercheur (Pharma/Biotech) / Senior Researcher	Science	€60,000 – €100,000+
68	Enseignant-Chercheur / Professor	Education	€60,000 – €100,000+
69	Directeur Supply Chain / Head of Logistics	Logistics	€75,000 – €135,000+
70	Responsable Achats / Head of Procurement	Procurement	€70,000 – €125,000+
71	Expert Géopolitique / Country Risk Analyst	Strategy & Policy	€65,000 – €110,000+
72	Bio-informaticien / Bioinformatics Expert	Biotechnology	€60,000 – €95,000+
73	Directeur Immobilier / Head of Real Estate	Property & Corporate	€75,000 – €140,000+
74	Responsable RSE / Head of CSR	Corporate Responsibility	€65,000 – €110,000+
75	Interprète de Conférence / Conference Interpreter	Language & Diplomacy	€50,000 – €90,000+
76	Ingénieur Acoustique / Acoustic Engineer	Engineering	€55,000 – €90,000+
77	Ergonome / Ergonomist	Design & Tech	€55,000 – €85,000+
78	Responsable de Cluster IT / IT Cluster Manager	IT	€70,000 – €115,000+
79	Spécialiste Intelligence Économique / Competitive Intelligence Expert	Strategy	€65,000 – €105,000+
80	Designer Industriel / Industrial Designer	Design	€55,000 – €85,000+
81	Météorologiste / Meteorologist	Science	€50,000 – €80,000+
82	Expert Sûreté Nucléaire / Nuclear Safety Expert	Energy	€70,000 – €110,000+
83	Analyste Criminalistique Financière / Forensic Financial Analyst	Finance & Compliance	€60,000 – €95,000+
84	Gestionnaire de Patrimoine / Wealth Manager	Finance	€60,000 – €120,000+
85	Ingénieur Télécom / Telecom Engineer	Telecommunications	€60,000 – €95,000+
86	Chef de Projet ERP (SAP/Oracle) / ERP Project Lead	IT	€65,000 – €105,000+
87	Expert Valorisation de Brevets / Patent Valuation Expert	Legal & Innovation	€65,000 – €100,000+
88	Responsable Qualité / Quality Assurance Manager	Pharma & Aerospace	€60,000 – €95,000+
89	Urbaniste / Urban Planner (Senior)	Urban Planning	€55,000 – €85,000+
90	Responsable Formation / Corporate Training Manager	HR & Learning	€55,000 – €85,000+
91	Ingénieur Agronome / Agricultural Engineer (R&D)	Agriculture	€55,000 – €85,000+
92	Journaliste (Rédacteur en Chef) / Editor-in-Chief	Media	€80,000 – €150,000+
93	Cadre Fonction Publique (Catégorie A+) / Senior Civil Servant	Government	€60,000 – €100,000+
94	Expert-Comptable (Cabinet) / Chartered Accountant	Accounting	€65,000 – €120,000+
95	Analyste Sécurité Informatique / Cybersecurity Analyst (Lead)	Cybersecurity	€60,000 – €100,000+
96	Responsable Relation Client / Client Relations Director	Sales	€55,000 – €90,000+
97	Ingénieur Imagerie Médicale / Medical Imaging Engineer	Healthcare Tech	€55,000 – €90,000+
98	Consultant Organisation / Organization Consultant	Consulting	€55,000 – €90,000+
99	Responsable Affaires Réglementaires (Pharma) / Regulatory Affairs Manager	Pharmaceuticals	€65,000 – €100,000+
100	Directeur Artistique / Art Director (Luxury/Advertising)	Creative Industries	€60,000 – €110,000+

Closing

France’s highest-paying careers showcase the country’s balance between tradition and innovation—rewarding both intellectual rigor and practical expertise. From surgeons and investment bankers to data scientists and corporate executives, top earners combine advanced education with strategic impact. While salaries are competitive with other European economies, strong social protections and work-life balance remain defining features of the French model. For professionals seeking both financial success and stability, France continues to offer exceptional long-term career potential.