The Alpes-Maritimes department is among the top-ranked in France for starting a working life. According to a study by the JobLeads platform, it ranks sixth thanks to a balance between salary, opportunities, and quality of life.
The Alpes-Maritimes appear at the forefront of the departments favorable to the professional integration of young people. The score obtained in the analysis conducted by JobLeads is 6.45 out of 10. Several criteria were considered: salaries, housing costs, the number of job offers for beginners, and the unemployment rate among those under 26 years old.
With an average salary of €1,807.50 for young workers, the department stands out for above-average national wages. However, this advantage is partly offset by an average monthly rent of €921 for a two-room apartment. It is the highest rent in the top 10 departments analyzed.
Regarding employment, the figures remain moderate but encouraging: 4.24 job offers accessible to beginners per 10,000 inhabitants. The rate of young people registered at France Travail is 105 per 10,000. These data indicate an accessible market, even though some regions display better recruitment rates for first-time job seekers.
According to Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, managing director of JobLeads, these results shed light on broader issues: “Contrary to some dominant narratives claiming that ‘young people no longer want to work,’ the data tells a different story. A recent study reveals that 80% of young workers would continue to work even if they did not need to financially, proving a strong attachment to work, provided it has meaning.”
An attractive environment, but trade-offs to be made
The ranking shows that the question of the balance between quality of life and professional prospects remains central. With its beaches, climate, and cultural life, the department attracts many young people every year. Some see it as a way to combine work with a pleasant living environment, without necessarily having to move far from their region of origin.
However, access to housing can become a hindrance. The strain on rents, particularly in Nice, sometimes forces one to make choices. Staying close to family, accepting a roommate situation, or expanding one’s search perimeter to smaller towns are often considered options.
Mobile profiles might find it beneficial. A recognized living environment, companies oriented toward the international market, and a tourism and technological dynamic that generates jobs in several sectors: hospitality, digital, personal services, research. It is precisely this combination that positions the Alpes-Maritimes in sixth place.
According to Jan Hendrik von Ahlen, this type of territory can meet the expectations of a demanding generation: “What is also striking is that 40% of 18–34-year-olds say they are willing to earn less if their job is useful to society: a clear trend towards an ideal of contribution rather than mere production.”
Behind this ranking, a realization: young workers are not fleeing work, but they seek conditions that allow them to live with dignity. This also involves a better distribution of opportunities across the territory.
The Alpes-Maritimes do not offer all guarantees, but they offer an acceptable compromise. A good starting point for those looking to reconcile career, autonomy, and stable living environment.
