The profession of secret agent fascinates as much as it intrigues. But what is the salary of these shadow men and women?
Impeccable costume, black glasses, discreet headset … The fantasy of the secret agent is still very much alive in the collective imagination. From James Bond to Jason Bourne, these ultra glamorous characters have forged an image as fascinating as it is irrealist of the profession. But in real life, what does the daily life of a French spy look like? And above all: how much do you win to protect the state? We reveal it to you …
In fact, a secret agent can work for various specialized French services, such as the DGSE (Directorate General for External Security), responsible for intelligence abroad, or the DGSI (General Directorate of Internal Security), which takes care of threats to the national territory. The main mission of the secret agent is to collect sensitive information to protect the French Republic. They act constantly in the shadows by participating in infiltration, surveillance or spinning missions.
Contrary to what one might think, the salary of a secret agent is anything but extravagant. According to an article from Student Parisiana young beginner agent at the DGSE receives around 1,800 euros net per month. Yes, barely more than a young man in civilian. And this, for a profession where one can have to risk our life, without public recognition, without LinkedIn network … Only a few people close to the secret agents can be held informed of their profession. Maximum discretion, minimum pay sheet.
There are many access roads to the DGSE. It is quite possible to integrate the service via a conventional recruitment process, with CV, interviews, and ability tests. But in fact, it is often the services themselves that approach candidates, according to their ultra-specific needs: telecom engineers, linguists, translators, computer analysts, cryptologists … all in absolute discretion. Each year, several hundred people would thus be recruited. And unlike the virile shots conveyed by action films, around 25 % of the 5,000 full -time agents that France would have are women.
