In 2025, SNCF plans to increase the salaries of its employees by around 2.2%. An increase which will particularly concern the approximately 14,000 train drivers working in France, who transport nearly 4 million passengers every day. As reported Capital this profession includes two main categories. On the one hand, the shunting and local line drivers, who must in particular drive empty trains from the station to the marshalling center or depot. On the other, the line drivers, responsible for the delivery of passenger and freight trains.
Nearly €5,000 gross for a TGV driver, bonuses included
Once trained, these employees begin their career at minimum wage (€1,801.80 gross, or approximately €1,426 net) without counting bonuses. Shunting and local line drivers can then hope to receive up to €2,000 gross per month and line drivers between €2,500 and €4,000 gross, indicates Capital. Among the latter, the most experienced will have the chance to become TGV drivers. A rare position (around 10% of drivers), whose salary is around €4,800 gross, bonuses included.
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The remuneration of an SNCF train driver can vary greatly from one month to the next depending on different criteria, such as the type of trains driven (linear train, freight train, TGV or RER), the number of kilometers traveled , hours worked at night or experience. SNCF employees also enjoy several benefits, including housing assistance and an end-of-year bonus.
Free train travel for the whole family
Generally speaking, bonuses (night work, Sundays and public holidays, travel allowances, etc.) represent on average a third of the remuneration of these employees. The coal bonus disappeared in the mid-1970s, when coal locomotives were withdrawn from circulation.
One of the important advantages of the profession lies in access to travel at particularly attractive prices. Train drivers can in fact travel almost for free. Spouses and children benefit from a 90% discount on ticket prices, and even 16 free journeys per year (four for ascendants). Since January 2023, these “movement facilities” are officially considered benefits in kind and are therefore subject to contributions.
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