Apprenticeship salary grid: Everything you need to know!
Apprenticeships are an excellent opportunity to gain professional experience while earning a guaranteed minimum salary. How is an apprentice’s pay calculated in 2025? What legal provisions determine your gross salary under an apprenticeship or professionalization contract? In this article, we cover everything you need to know about salary scales in apprenticeships, the applicable minimum wage based on your age and education level, and the latest updates you should be aware of.
The basics of apprenticeship pay
The key factors that determine your salary
Governed by the French Labor Code and set by law, your apprenticeship salary isn’t left to chance! Whether you’re under a professionalization contract or an apprenticeship contract, your salary is calculated as a set percentage of the minimum wage (SMIC). This percentage depends on four main factors:
- Your age: The older you are, the higher the percentage of the minimum wage you receive.
- Your year of training: Your salary can increase with each new year of your apprenticeship program.
- Your education level: Some degrees and qualifications may entitle you to a salary boost.
- The applicable collective agreement: Depending on your sector and company agreements, minimum salaries may be set higher than the legal requirements.
Financial differences between professionalization and apprenticeship contracts
If you sign a professionalization contract, you must be between 16 and 25 years old (inclusive). Salaries under this contract are generally higher than those under an apprenticeship contract, ranging from 55% to 100% of the SMIC depending on your education level and age.
If you are between 15 years old (after completing the equivalent of 9th grade) and 29 years old, you can opt for an apprenticeship contract. Special exceptions apply for older candidates under specific conditions. Legally, the minimum salary under an apprenticeship contract is lower than that of a professionalization contract, varying between 27% and 100% of the SMIC.
Legal salary grids based on the type of contract
Salary grids for a professionalization contract
As an apprentice under a professionalization contract, your salary depends solely on your age and initial education level. Below is a reference table of the legal minimums for the current year, applicable from January 2025:
| Apprentice’s Age | Diploma Below High School Level | High School Diploma or Vocational Qualification | Higher Education Degree |
| Under 21 years old | 55% of minimum wage = €990.99* | 65% of minimum wage = €1,171.17* | 65% of minimum wage = €1,171.17* |
| 21 to 25 years old | 70% of minimum wage = €1,261.26* | 80% of minimum wage = €1,441.44* | 80% of minimum wage = €1,441.44* |
| 26 years old and above | 100% of minimum wage = €1,801.80* or 85% of the conventional minimum wage (CMW) if more favorable | 100% of minimum wage = €1,801.80* or 85% of the conventional minimum wage (CMW) if more favorable |
100% of minimum wage = €1,801.80* or 85% of the conventional minimum wage (CMW) if more favorable
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To help you out, the French government offers a free online salary simulator. It allows you to accurately calculate your gross salary based on the type of apprenticeship contract you choose, its duration, and the targeted education level.
Salary grids for an apprenticeship contract
The salary scale for apprentices under an apprenticeship contract evolves based on your progress in your training program (first year, second year, or third year), your age, and whether or not you have already completed an apprenticeship before. Each anniversary date of your contract and each new year of training triggers an automatic salary increase. Here’s the reference table of the legal minimums for the current year, updated as of January 2025 following the minimum wage (SMIC) increase:
| Apprentice’s Age | 1st Year of Training Cycle | 2nd Year of Training Cycle | 3rd Year of Training Cycle |
| Under 18 years old | 27% of minimum wage = €486.49* | 39% of minimum wage = €702.70* | 55% of minimum wage = €990.99* |
| 18 to 20 years old | 43% of minimum wage = €774.77* | 51% of minimum wage = €918.92* | 67% of minimum wage = €1,207.21* |
| 21 to 25 years old | 53% of minimum wage = €954.95* | 61% of minimum wage = €1,099.10* | 78% of minimum wage = €1,405.40* |
| 26 years old and above | 100% of minimum wage = €1,801.80* | 100% of minimum wage = €1,801.80* | 100% of minimum wage = €1,801.80* |
These amounts represent your gross monthly salary. Your training center (CFA) and your employer are responsible for ensuring the correct application of this salary grid. If you have any doubts, feel free to visit the official public service website. The base amounts are updated annually.
Specific salary conditions to keep in mind
Apprenticeship salary increases
In certain cases, your minimum salary set by the standard grid can be increased. These boosts are meant to recognize your experience or the specific nature of your training path. You may be eligible for a salary increase if:
- Successive contracts: If you previously completed an apprenticeship and are starting a new one, your new salary must be at least equal to the salary you received during the last year of your previous apprenticeship.
- Reduced training duration: If your apprenticeship contract is shortened to account for your prior education (for example, if you already hold a diploma and are starting directly in the second year of the program instead of the first), your salary will be based on the corresponding year of the program (in this case, the second year). The Ministry of Labor states that “[…] the apprentice is considered, for the purposes of minimum remuneration, to have already completed an apprenticeship period equal to the difference between the initial duration of the training cycle and the reduced period.”
Collective agreements
Whether you’re on a professionalization contract or an apprenticeship contract, your salary might be higher than the basic rates previously mentioned. Why? Because collective agreements exist! These “labor law rules applicable to a specific sector” often favor apprentice employees. This recognition of young people’s investment in their training is particularly seen in sectors like banking and insurance, the pharmaceutical industry, and wholesale trade.
Understanding your apprentice payslip
From gross to net: Social contributions specific to apprenticeship contracts
The difference between your gross and net salary can be confusing, especially when you’re just starting your professional journey. As an apprentice, you benefit from a favorable social contribution regime. Some contributions related to healthcare, illness, or retirement are reduced or even fully exempt to encourage employers to hire apprentices.
However, the contribution rates differ depending on whether you are under an apprenticeship or a professionalization contract:
| Type of Contributions | Apprenticeship Contract | Professionalization Contract |
| Social Security | Full exemption | General reduction of contributions |
| Complementary Pension | Reduced contributions | Standard contributions |
| Unemployment Insurance | Partial exemption | General reduction |
| CSG-CRDS (Social Charges) | Exemption if salary < 79% of minimum wage | Possible reduced rate |
The net salary typically represents about 78% of the gross monthly salary for apprentices, compared to around 75% for a standard employee. This small difference adds up significantly over the course of your contract. For example, if you earn €954.95 gross in your first year, you’ll take home approximately €745 net per month after deductions.
Starting March 1, 2025, the conditions for social contribution exemptions for apprentices have changed. Only salaries equal to or less than 50% of the SMIC will benefit from a full exemption. Any earnings above this threshold are subject to regular social contributions.
Reporting your apprentice income for taxes
Contrary to common belief, you must declare your income if you held an apprenticeship position. This applies to the income earned in the previous calendar year. However, there are specific rules depending on your status, annual salary amount, and contract type.
Make sure that:
- Your annual salary does not exceed the taxable threshold set at the SMIC level, i.e., €21,273. Beyond this amount, you will owe income taxes.
- Your employer correctly notes your apprentice status on your payslip. This is essential to apply specific tax exemptions and simplify your paperwork.
- You check your eligibility for the activity bonus based on your monthly net income.
You must also keep all your payslips for the fiscal year concerned. They record the number of hours worked in alternance and will also be important for calculating your future retirement benefits.
If you are a minor or still attached to your parents’ household for tax purposes, your apprenticeship income is tax-exempt up to the annual SMIC amount. This is particularly advantageous for higher education apprentices (bachelor’s, master’s degrees) who often earn higher salaries.
For apprentices under a professionalization contract, the tax regime is the same as for regular employees. All income must be declared and is subject to income tax under the usual conditions.
Additional financial support and benefits
State and social support programs
Your apprenticeship income doesn’t stop at your salary! The government provides several financial aids to boost your purchasing power during your professionalization or apprenticeship contract:
- Housing Assistance (APL): Likely the most well-known, this aid is provided by the CAF (Family Allowance Fund) and helps cover part of your rent. The amount varies depending on the region you live in, the size of your home, and the number of occupants.
- Activity Bonus: Aimed at boosting the income of modest earners, you can claim this bonus if your net monthly salary is at least €951. The amount varies by salary bracket and can reach up to €630 per month for a single person without children.
- Other financial aids exist, especially if your apprenticeship is far from your home, such as the Mobility Aid from France Travail and Mobili-Jeune aid from Action Logement.
Additional company benefits
Besides a potential salary boost, your company might offer additional perks. While companies must cover at least 50% of your public transportation costs, they can also offer other optional benefits such as:
- Meal vouchers, especially if there’s no canteen on-site.
- Supplementary health insurance (mutuelle): While mandatory, you might opt out if you still live with your parents or are covered by your spouse’s more favorable plan.
- IT equipment: In addition to the mandatory work laptop, you might receive extra equipment.
Don’t hesitate to ask about these benefits at the end of your final interview if they haven’t been discussed earlier.
Special cases: How do they affect your salary ?
Have you and your employer agreed to end or extend your contract? Are you switching companies? Your current or future salary could change. Here’s everything you need to know:
- In case of early termination: Make sure all due salaries have been paid to you.
- In case of an extension with the same company for an additional year: Confirm with your employer the correct rate applicable for your new year of apprenticeship.
- In case of changing employers: Ensure that the rights you acquired previously are maintained in your new company.
- In case of repeating a school year: Check that your salary does not decrease — at the very least, you must keep the same salary you previously earned.
- In case of pursuing further studies: Leverage your previous apprenticeship contract to maintain your salary benefits.
One golden rule when preparing for an apprenticeship: you can never lose salary due to a contract change, even if you switch fields. The only time your salary might decrease is if you enter a new education cycle (for example, moving from a third-year bachelor’s degree to the first year of a master’s degree). If you have previous apprenticeship experience, make sure to have it recognized!
Coliving: The smart housing solution to optimize your budget
Apprentice salaries can be modest, especially in the first few years. Finding affordable housing is a major challenge, alongside balancing school, work, and personal life. It’s a lot to manage!
That’s why a new housing concept has emerged in recent years: coliving. Offered by Colivys, this solution is perfectly suited to young people under apprenticeship or professionalization contracts. You move into a fully furnished, shared apartment. Internet? No worries — it’s already included in your rent, along with utilities and home insurance. It’s an easy way to manage your monthly budget with no unpleasant surprises.
