Emigration Focus: What are the Best Paying Jobs in France?

If you’re considering moving overseas to advance your career, it helps to know which professions tend to command the highest wages.

So, which positions tend to be in the highest pay bracket in France?

Marketing Managers and Directors

It might be a given that demanding leadership roles pay well in France, but the position of Marketing Manager is an especially good entry point on our list of top jobs.

Those who are up to the task of blending creativity with decision-making and using an innovative outlook to orchestrate long-term campaigns are typically able to net an average of €72,000 a year, or around £63,000 – far above the average wage for a UK marketing manager, which sits at about £32,900.

As in the UK, having a university degree in marketing is a good start for those wishing to pursue top level positions, and applicants with MBA degrees also stand a greater chance of being successful in their applications.

Company Directors are also, understandably, some of the most well-paid employees in France – but the wage they’re able to command varies considerably depending on the size of the company and the responsibilities involved.

A common component of these kinds of roles is having to attend board meetings and make often challenging decisions about the company’s future, but the weight of that responsibility can result in an income of around $115,000 (£100,500) a year.

While French Company Directors don’t have to live in the country, they are subject to French income tax so could face a dual tax if they live overseas.

The right qualifications and experience are essential for this role, so if you’ve built a career in management, becoming a Company Director might not be too much of a stretch.

If the position places you on a Board of Directors, your annual salary may climb to as much as €250,000 (£218,500).

Those on the board are responsible for making the company’s biggest decisions and are often shareholders in the company itself.

The requirements for getting on a board vary from company to company, but universally-recognised qualities include having a top-tier business degree.

Plenty of experience in management is also a must, as is being able to provide examples of times when pre-emptive thinking and grand strategies paid off.

The Civil Sector

For those not interested in kicking back in a boardroom, there are a number of other jobs in France which also command a sizeable salary.

One such position is that of Police Officer.

The French police force is split into a civilian and armed forces wing –  respectively the ‘Police Nationale’ and ‘Gendarmerie Nationale’.

Becoming a member of either force presents a significant challenge to prospective applicants, not least because you must be a French national to begin with.

This is a lengthy process, which can take at least three years if starting from scratch.

There are three main ways to gain French citizenship, none of which are especially easy.

These include serving in the French Foreign Legion for three years, being married to a French citizen for at least four years, or having lived in France for five years.

In all cases, you must prove integration into French culture and the ability to speak French fluently.

There’s no guarantee that your French citizenship bid will be accepted, but with enough persistence, it’s possible to become a French national.

However, even if you surmount that barrier, there are also physical and mental tests for prospective police officers before they get to wear the uniform.

But it’s worth the trouble –  top French police officers can expect to earn around €74,000 (£64,740) a year.

French Lawyers are paid roughly the same as top police officers in France, averaging around €74,000 (£64,740) annually.

As in the UK, becoming a lawyer in France requires specialised education.

If you already have a law degree from another country, you just need to pass the French Bar to be able to practice in France.

Civil Service Officer is another top tier French job.

There are four distinct sectors to France’s civil sector, ranging from tending to the state, to public hospitals, to local governments or to the judiciary.

While the future of this rule remains unclear, at present UK citizens can apply for some civil services positions as EU nationals.

Because a number of positions are open to applicants from other nations, getting into the French civil service is highly competitive.

Degree requirements vary depending on the role, but in higher-ranking positions a French civil servant can make around €103,000 (£90,290) a year.

French Doctors are well-supported by the French government, with the most specialised earning €118,000 (£103,400) per year, but (as in all nations) becoming a doctor requires serious investment in terms of time and finance.

Other French Careers

That covers France’s best-paying civil careers, but there are a few more occupations that don’t fit a specific category.

To begin with, we have Financial Advisors, who can earn around €75,000 (£65,750).

Given that advisors provide detailed financial advice to clients about investments, insurance, etc, they need to be regulated to get a foot in the door and have to have degree-level qualifications.

Those with an affinity for the financial sector may also want to look into the requirements for becoming a broker.

Brokers can fulfil a variety of roles in France, whether it’s trading stocks for clients, offering advice or managing funds.

As the job entails a lot of variety, brokers at the top of their game are able to command a healthy salary of around €115,000 (£100,780) per year.

Getting a degree in finance is crucial for becoming a broker, as is passing a tricky exam to cement your credentials.

Finally, if you’re looking for a high-flying career, Pilots can earn an average of €88,000 (£77,130) each year, but only after undergoing rigorous training and fighting off the competition.

The job can provide lots of variety, whether it’s flying cargo around France or taking passengers long-haul.

You can work towards a private or commercial pilot licence, with both fields having their own pluses and minuses for the prospective pilot.

 

 

These careers are the cream of the crop when it comes to employment in France, but they also require you meeting tough requirements.

Whatever kind of French job you’re looking for, it’s best to have a solid grasp on the French language before you start trying to build a career overseas, which isn’t as hard as it sounds.

For more news and information about moving to France, keep an eye on the TorFX blog and bonne chance with any French job applications you make!

Category Emigrating

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