Between the gross salary and the real cost to the company, the gap is significant. In a few seconds, estimate the total employer cost of an employee in France — employer social charges included — whether you are planning a hire or budgeting an existing role.
Estimate calibrated on the official URSSAF simulator, including the general reduction of contributions. The exact amount may vary with the applicable collective agreement, the work-accident rate and the company headcount.
This calculator provides an indicative estimate and is not an official payroll calculation. For a precise, compliant figure, get in touch.
The gross salary in the contract is only the starting point. On top of it come employer social charges (health insurance, family allowances, pensions, unemployment, work-accident cover, training…). Their rate is not fixed: thanks to the single degressive general reduction (RGDU) — introduced by the reform of 1 January 2026 — it ranges from roughly 3% at the minimum wage (SMIC) to about 42% from 3× the SMIC. It is this total — gross + employer charges — that makes up the real cost of the employee for the company.
The employee, in turn, does not receive the gross either: around 21–22% is withheld as employee contributions to reach the net salary (before income tax, which in France is deducted at source).
Since 2026, the former reduced rates for health and family contributions have been removed: the full rates apply, and relief now comes entirely through the RGDU, degressive up to 3× the SMIC. These amounts also depend on the applicable collective bargaining agreement, executive (cadre) or non-executive status, headcount and the work-accident rate. A precise payroll calculation factors in all of these — which is exactly my job.
An employee's cost equals their gross salary plus employer social charges. These vary with the salary level — the general reduction of contributions strongly lowers charges on low salaries: for example, an employee paid €2,500 gross costs the company roughly €3,100 per month. The calculator above gives you an instant estimate.
Total cost = gross salary + employer social charges. Employer charges are not flat: thanks to the general reduction of contributions, they range from about 3% at the minimum wage (SMIC) to about 42% from 3× the SMIC upwards. The calculator factors in this reduction to estimate your monthly and annual employer cost.
Since 1 January 2026, a single degressive general reduction (RGDU) replaces the former schemes. It cuts employer contributions on salaries below 3× the SMIC, most strongly near the minimum wage — sometimes by more than half. This is why the real cost of a lower-paid hire is far below a full-rate estimate.
The gross salary is the amount stated in the employment contract. The employer cost adds employer social charges on top: it is the real cost of the employee for the company. The employee receives the net salary (gross minus employee contributions). These three figures are all different.
To run French payroll you generally need either a French entity or a registration as a foreign employer with the French authorities (URSSAF). I can guide you on the setup and then handle the monthly payroll and social declarations (DSN), in English.
Payslips, social charges, DSN declarations: I handle everything, accurately and on time — in English.
Free, no-commitment first call.