How Much Do Housekeepers Earn in France? (Take-Home Pay)
A guide to a housekeeper's net pay in France: gross, contributions and take-home, with a calculator.
Quick answer: a housekeeper declared at the SMIC takes home about €9.74 net/h (from €12.31 gross), after ~22% employee contributions. Net pay depends on the gross rate, hours and any uplifts. The tax credit benefits the employer, not the worker's net wage.
Understanding the move from gross to net helps you agree a fair wage and produce correct payslips.
From gross to net
From the gross wage, ~22% employee contributions are withheld (pension, health, provident cover). The net is what the worker receives. Example: €12.31 gross ≈ €9.74 net per hour.
What moves the net
- The agreed gross hourly rate (level, seniority).
- Overtime, paid at an uplift.
- Benefits in kind (accommodation, meals) for a live-in worker.
Estimate net and cost
The calculator converts gross ↔ net and shows the employer cost and the tax credit.
Official sources
Conclusion
Always express pay in both gross AND net in the contract: it's clearer for the worker and matches the payslips URSSAF issues.
See also
- The salary guide — SMIC and collective minimum.
- How much it costs — the employer side, after the tax credit.
FAQ
What's the net for €12.31 gross?
About €9.74 net per hour: employee contributions take roughly 22% off the gross wage.
Does declared work build up rights?
Yes: pension, health insurance, unemployment and the sector provident scheme. Undeclared work gives none of these.