Actual Income for Self-Employed Professionals

There are many different types of self-employed professions, but not all of them offer the same earning potential. So, who earns how much each month?
 

Can leaving a salaried job to start a self-employed business increase your income? The answer depends on the line of work you choose. Whether you’re a self-employed professional, a sole proprietor, a retailer, or a taxi driver, income can vary considerably. A survey by INSEE provides insight into the average monthly earnings of different categories of self-employed workers.
 

Doctors and dentists lead the way with 9,720 euros per month
How much do self-employed healthcare professionals earn? According to INSEE calculations for 2022, France’s 165,000 doctors and dentists earn an average of 9,720 euros per month. This figure places these professionals at the top of the list of the highest-paid self-employed workers.
 

Paramedical professions, such as nurses, physical therapists, and midwives, have significantly lower incomes. The average for these professions is 3,650 euros per month, which is close to the average earnings of all self-employed workers—4,030 euros per month, according to INSEE statistics for 2022.
 

Lawyers and certified public accountants rank second with 8,510 euros per month
Lawyers and certified public accountants earn an average of 8,510 euros per month, making them the highest-paid independent professionals in the business and personal services sector. Financial advisors and insurance agents, meanwhile, earn an average of 6,520 euros per month, while architects earn an average of 4,010 euros per month.
 

An average of 2,620 euros for retail business owners, but significant disparities
In 2022, an independent retail business owner in France earned an average of 2,620 euros per month. However, this category encompasses many different professions, with sometimes considerable differences in income.
 

Pharmacists are the highest-paid retail workers, with monthly incomes of 7,900 euros. Auto mechanics, on the other hand, earn an average of 2,640 euros per month, while bakers, deli owners, and other food service workers earn about 2,530 euros per month.
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 An average of 530 euros per month for taxi and private-hire drivers
Driving a taxi or a private-hire vehicle is one of the lowest-paying jobs for self-employed workers. On average, a taxi or private-hire driver earns only 1,530 euros per month, according to a survey by INSEE.
 

Self-employed entrepreneurs rank last with 670 euros per month
Self-employed entrepreneurs, or micro-entrepreneurs, earn an average of 670 euros per month. This low income is due to the specific nature of this status, which imposes a revenue cap ranging from 15,000 euros for unclassified furnished vacation rentals to 188,700 euros for the sale of goods.
 

The micro-entrepreneur status, due to its simplicity, is particularly appealing to workers who want to try out a new business or earn some extra income. This explains why one-quarter of self-employed micro-entrepreneurs earn less than 90 euros per month. Ultimately, only one in ten generates a monthly income of more than 1,750 euros.