French Tech: 2026 salaries and CEO protection

Analyses

3 minutes

21 November 2025

The Galion Project , the French tech entrepreneurs collective has published its 2026 survey on the salaries of tech executives. This overview highlights an ecosystem that is evolving and consolidating year after year. As a partner of The Galion Project, Howden offers you a summary of the key points of this study. accessible in its entirety by clicking here.

Stabilization of wages and advancement of gender equality

The median fixed gross annual salary for CEOs remains stable at €120,000, as in the previous edition. The major change is at the lower end of the spectrum. The 25th percentile (the lowest salaries) increased by 20%, from €85,000 to €100,000. This reflects a downward normalization, with young founders awarding themselves more sustainable remuneration. The highest salaries remain stable, indicating that boards and cash flow constraints are limiting excesses.
The pay gap between male and female founders has narrowed significantly, by 36% in two years. Female CEOs have seen a 12% increase in median pay.

The return of the variable to reward profitability

The salary of profitable start-up CEOs is higher than that of deficit companies. Logically, the variable component takes its rightful place, especially for high salaries where it can represent up to 20-30% of the total salary. This marks a professionalization where the remuneration of the executive is more closely linked to the actual performance of the company.
On the subject of bonuses, the percentage of CEOs whose salary is supplemented by a bonus increases slightly from 38% to 41%.
The use of BSPCE (Company Founder Subscription Warrants) is slightly declining (31% of founders benefit from them compared to 37% previously), following legislative changes that have made the scheme less attractive.
 

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CEOs are always too poorly protected.

If salaries increase, leaders are actually very unlikely to consider protecting these incomes in case of job loss or revocation. 71.5% of respondents to the survey do not have any director's unemployment insurance. However, the future is never certain when you are at the head of a company and, contrary to popular belief, almost all executives are not eligible for France Travail benefits. Access to traditional unemployment insurance is an exception, requiring a rare combination of corporate office and employment contract.

The leader's unemployment insurance, a secure and advantageous solution.

Financial security

It allows to preserve the daily life of the leader and his family in case of liquidation, revocation or loss of mandate.

Esperanza

Insurers study the strength of the company. A subscription made from the creation, or during a strategic development (such as a fundraising), is a guarantee of credibility. Ensuring before difficulties appear facilitates the acceptance of the file.

Advantageous taxation

Contributions are deductible for the company, and the benefits received are net of taxes and charges (for assimilated employee executives). Below you will find our article on the tax treatment of director's unemployment insurance for more information.

The unemployment insurance of the manager is taken out by the company for its manager(s). For young companies that do not yet have a financial statement, do not worry: we have custom offers for you!

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Mariam Grigorian

Coordinator of unemployment insurance for the manager of HOWDEN France

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