Since 2019, the median remuneration of executives has increased less quickly than inflation and more than six in ten executives feel that their purchasing power has deteriorated since the Covid crisis, according to a study published this Thursday, November 21 by Apec.
At a time when many companies are beginning their mandatory annual negotiations (NAO), the barometer of the Association for the Employment of Executives shows that the median gross annual remuneration (fixed plus variable) of executives is established in June 2024 at 54,000 euros (+ 1.9% over one year). Since 2019, “it has grown less quickly than inflation”, underlines the study. Average remuneration increased at the same time by 1.6% (from 59,700 euros to 60,700 in 2024).
The study shows “a record level” of the percentage of executives having benefited from an increase in 2024 at 60% (compared to 59% in 2023 and 46% in 2021), noted the director general of Apec Gilles Gateau during ‘a presentation to the press. This rate, which includes individual and/or general increases, is “usually” rather below 50%, he stressed.
Those under 30 have received more increases (74%) and median remuneration has stagnated for seniors aged 50 and over over the last four years, which places this category among “the losers” in “a period of fairly vigorous inflation “, according to Gilles Gateau.
Still a gap between women and men
The study also shows that while 63% of executives say they are satisfied with their compensation, 61% consider that their purchasing power has deteriorated since the Covid crisis. In an uncertain environment, 56% of executives consider their salary growth prospects “unattractive” over the next 3-5 years.
In terms of gender equality, the study shows that the “unexplained” gap persists: for identical profiles and positions, male executives still earn 6.9% more than female executives (the “gross” gap ” being 12%). Noting that the gap was 7.1 in 2019, Gilles Gateau saw it as “a pace that would allow us to reach equality in 172 years…”.
On the employment side, the director of Apec underlined the context of the labor market for 2025 “which many economists anticipate slowing down”, while noting that the dynamic of managerial employment is unique and that “the last year where we experienced a negative development in managerial employment, (dates back to) 1991”.
The study, carried out for the first time at the regional level, is based on an annual survey carried out in June 2024 among 14,000 private sector executives.