The salaries of non-managers in France rose by an average of 1.8% in 2019 when compared to 2018, according to the latest salary barometer from Randstad.

The average wage of blue-collar workers, intermediate professions and employees is estimated at €1,636 in gross pay in 2019, a 1.8% increase over the previous year.

When broken down, skilled workers saw an increase in wages of 2.2% in 2019 (to €1,663) while the wages of the intermediate professions grew by 1.3% (at €1,869) and employees saw a 1.2% increase to €1,607.

The industrial sector reported a 2% increase in wages while construction and services were both up by 1.6%.

"This is good news for the middle class, even if the workers did not win the lottery," said François Béharel, President of Randstad France.

However, Béharel also cautioned, “The renewed dynamism of the job market is giving rise to growing difficulties for business leaders in attracting talent."

According to Randstad, it is this challenge of attracting talent that has driven up wages.