“Remuneration that increases less quickly than inflation”: executives have lost nearly 12% of purchasing power since 2007 and their situation continues to deteriorate rapidly

The salary situation of executives is deteriorating, with fewer salary increases, an accelerated loss of purchasing power and a slight decline in median remuneration, according to a barometer published this Thursday by the Association for the Employment of Executives (Apec). “The purchasing power of executives has been declining since 2007, particularly from 2022, with median remuneration increasing less quickly than inflation,” underlined Annelore Coury, general director of Apec during a press conference. Between 2025 and 2026, the loss of purchasing power of executives amounts to 3.6% and has reached 11.6% since 2007.

This decline in purchasing power for executives is general, but even more marked for those in mid-career (30-49 years) and those working in SMEs, according to declarations made by 19,000 private sector executives in this study carried out every June since 2007. A median remuneration of 54.

000 euros gross per year Their median gross annual remuneration "falls slightly" for the first time since 2010, going from 55,000 to 54,000 euros, which has three elements of explanation: less than one in two executives received a raise in 2026, fewer of them will receive a variable part than in 2025 and, if changing position remains the best way to get a raise, professional mobility has lost in terms of wage effect.

“The balance of power is shifting a little more in favor of businesses,” explained Annelore Coury. Recruitment intentions were at half mast in the third quarter, with those of large companies at their lowest since 2020, according to another barometer published at the end of August. A survey published in September and carried out for the Ugict-CGT also showed that concerns around the level of salary had reached among executives, for the first time, the same level as those concerning the work-life balance.

In 2026, the salaries of female and male executives were increased, for the first time, in the same proportions. However, pay gaps persist, with a difference of 15% overall and 6.8% for the same profile. “It’s falling, but very slowly,” noted Annelore Coury.

This gender gap widens with age, reaching 9.5% among executives over 50 years old. While a bill on salary transparency awaits consideration in Parliament, two out of three job offers published on the Apec website now display a salary or salary range.

Machine-translated from French