France hourly wage index: labourers & white-collar, services sector
France hourly wage index: labourers & white-collar, services sector stood at 124.3 in Q2 2026, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Wages and labour cost table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q2 2017 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Wages and labour cost table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wages | |||||||||||
| Hourly wage rate indice for labourers and white-collar workers - Services sector - NAF rev. 2 - Items from GZ to RU) - Base 100 in Q2 of 2017 | 124.3 | 123.1 | 122.2 | 122 | 121.7 | 121.1 | 120.4 | 119.6 | 119.2 | 118.7 | |
| Hourly wage rate indice for labourers and white-collar workers - Transportation and storage (NAF rev. 2, level A38 HZ) - Base 100 in Q2 of 2017 | 126.3 | 125.5 | 124.9 | 124.7 | 124.5 | 123.9 | 123.1 | 122.6 | 122.2 | 121.1 |
Understanding france hourly wage index: labourers & white-collar, services sector
This index tracks time-based remuneration specifically for manual workers and office personnel operating within the services sector. The measurement covers gross earnings calculated per hour worked, isolating wage movements from shifts in total hours or staff composition by holding job classifications constant. Unlike broader indices encompassing manufacturing or construction, this metric targets private service activities, capturing retail, transport, hospitality, and professional services where wage-setting dynamics differ substantially from heavy industries. It excludes bonuses, profit-sharing schemes, and social contributions, focusing purely on direct hourly rates established by collective bargaining agreements or individual employment contracts.
Interpreting the series requires attention to potential revisions stemming from delayed survey responses submitted by service enterprises. Analysts should favor year-on-year comparisons to neutralize regular quarterly patterns, such as scheduled mid-year industry-wide negotiations or seasonal hiring surges in tourism and retail. When evaluating this metric against macroeconomic price indicators, researchers must remember that hourly wage rates reflect compensation per unit of time rather than total labour costs or take-home pay, which are influenced by statutory working hours and tax adjustments. Rebasing events alter the index level but preserve relative quarterly movements.
Frequently asked questions
- What categories of workers are included in the services sector hourly wage index?
- The index covers manual labourers and white-collar office staff employed across diverse service industries, excluding senior management and executives.
- Why is a year-on-year comparison preferred over a quarter-on-quarter view for this series?
- Annual comparisons eliminate regular seasonal effects, such as recurring industry-wide wage negotiations and temporary hiring waves typical of service sub-branches.
- Does this index measure total labor costs incurred by service employers?
- No, it isolates base hourly wage rates and excludes employer social contributions, bonuses, and non-wage benefits.