What is the median executive salary in 2021?
51,000 euros per year is the median salary of executives in 2021
According to the 2022 Barometer of Apec executive compensation, at the end of 2021, half of executives earned above 51,000 euros, the other half below. That is an increase of 2% in one year. Good below forecast advanced by all the compensation studies of the past year therefore. Obviously, not everyone is in the same boat.
Gender inequalities persist
Male executives still earn 7% more than female executives. On average, they earn 54,000 euros against 47,000 euros for women. The worst is that this gap does not change despite the laws, the good scores displayed in the equality indexes and the good intentions of facade. Find the mistake !
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Experience pays but finds its limits
Unsurprisingly, the further you advance in your career, the more you earn. However, we observe that the increases for the most senior employees are marking time. After 45 years, only a large third has been increased.
Sectors that pay more than others
Lhe industry and commerce are, according to the Apec barometer, the two most profitable sectors for executives. Behind, tied at 50,000 euros, we find construction, high value-added services (IT, engineering-R&D, bancassurance, legal and accounting activities, communication and media) and other services. An edifying finding, especially for employers in high value-added services who complain of not finding enough candidates. But who, in the famous war of talents, do not align remuneration up to the expectations of the candidates. Suffice to say that the adage, “You don’t attract flies with vinegar”, still has a bright future ahead of it.
SMEs mobilize on wages
In lack of candidates to staff their teams but also sensitive to the retention of their key talents, SMEs are taking care of their remuneration policies by improving their annual packages (+2000 euros on average in one year). In the largest structures, the median salary caps this year at 55,000 euros.
Forecasts for 2022: 59% of executives could be raised
It remains to be seen whether you will be one of the lucky ones. In any case, according to Apec, the share of executives increased this year has gone to “reach a historic level”. Questioned in May 2022, 41% of executives indicated that they had already received an increase since the start of the year. And 18% expected to receive one by the end of the year.
Many companies could in fact consent to salary efforts to retain and attract executives in a context of severe recruitment difficulties and still strong dynamics of executive recruitment, combined with high inflation as never seen for 40 years, under the effect of the impacts of the war in Ukraine.
Remuneration barometer 2022 Apec
More and more executives dissatisfied with their compensation
It must be said that for executives, as for other employees, decline in purchasing power is problematic. So they stare at their payslip and bitch (and bitch more and more). Thus, in May 2022:
- 29% of executives under 35 said they were dissatisfied with their compensation, an increase of 5 points in one year.
- Executives aged 35-54 also consider themselves underpaid (27%, +4 points).
Will they be the first served in the future law on purchasing power? Certainly not. Suddenly, will they be in the street during the start of the school year in September? This will obviously partly depend on the efforts made (or not) for their employers and government measures to limit the impact of inflation on their standard of living.
Professional mobility, always paying to earn more
Move and you will be increased! According to data published by Apec, changing jobs internally or going to see if the grass is greener elsewhere are the best ways to boost your salary.
It is understood that external mobility is always more profitable. Depending on the sector, changing creameries can allow you to make a salary gap of between 10 and 30%. Sometimes you will even be entitled to a welcome bonus.