Average Salary in Spain: Salaries by City and Experience

Expat life
15 Oct 2024
8 mins read
Written by pranit

The average monthly salary for full-time workers in Spain is € 1,703 after taxes, while part-time workers earn an average of € 10 to € 20 per hour. 

 

When you factor in the lifestyle, cuisine, and job opportunities, Spain offers a solid balance for building a rewarding career. Before making the move, it’s essential to review salary data in Spain to ensure financial sustainability.

 

In this blog, we’ve compiled Spain’s average income by industry, experience, and education level. Let’s dive in! 

Overview

  • The average salary in Spain per month for a full-time worker is € 1703 after the tax cut.
  • The average income in Spain for a part-time worker varies between € 10 to € 20 per hour, depending on the job.
  • Top Job Sectors in Spain
    • Food Services: € 45,882 per year
    • Engineering: € 33,291 per year
    • Childcare and Education: € 30,921 per year
    • Healthcare, Pharmacy and Social Services: € 29,268 per year
  • Top Companies in Spain: Inditex, Iberdrola, Santander, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, CaixaBank, Aena, Ferrovial, Amadeus IT Group.

Do you know?

  • As per OECD’s Better Life Index, Spain’s work-life balance has an 8.4 score, one of the highest among OECD countries.[1]
  • Spain’s job market got stronger in the first half of 2024, with the employment rate increasing to 52.26% in the second quarter.[2]
  • Spain’s GDP grew in the first quarter of 2024, expanding by 0.7%.[3]

Factors affecting salary in Spain

Economic factors affecting salaries

The overall state of the economy, inflation rates and labour market conditions can all impact wages. During economic booms, demand for skilled labour may increase, leading to higher salaries. Conversely, job competition may intensify during economic downturns, potentially resulting in stagnant wages. 

Salary by education level 

Education qualifications significantly influence earning potential. Individuals with higher education degrees, such as bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees, tend to command higher salaries.

Salary by experience

Experienced employees usually earn higher salaries because of their skills, knowledge, and industry connections. Their proven success makes them valuable to any organisation.

Average salary for full-time worker in Spain: (€ 1091 after tax cut)

Spain’s dynamic job market offers diverse career opportunities, so making a thorough Spain salary comparison is essential. Here is an overview of Spain’s salary trends in some key sectors, highlighting high-earning positions: 

Average salary for full-time worker in Spain

 

Top Industries 

Average Annual Salary 

Per Hour Salary in Spain 

Food Services

€ 45,882

€ 23.53

Engineering

€ 33,291

€ 17.07

Childcare and Education

€ 30,921

€ 15.86

Healthcare, Pharmacy and Social Services

€ 29,268

€ 15.01

Security Forces and Corps

€ 28,625

€ 14.68

Information Technologies

€ 28,008

€ 14.36

Architecture & Creative Arts

€ 27,777

€ 14.24

Marketing & Sales

€ 25,050

€ 12.85

Banking, Finance & Insurance

€ 23,648

€ 12.13

Sciences

€ 23,451

€ 12.03

Transportation, Manufacturing & Transport

€ 22,088

€ 11.33

Journalism and Translation

€ 21,984

€ 11.27

Construction and Maintenance

€ 21,388

€ 10.97

Accounting, Administration & Human Resources

€ 21,054

€ 10.80

Hospitality and Travel

€ 20,910

€ 10.72

Legal

€ 20,905

€ 10.72

Retail, Cosmetics & Customer Service

€ 20,136

€ 10.33

Source: Talent 

 

The following are details of the basic salary in Spain across diverse job roles under specific industries:

Food services: Average salary – € 26,697 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Cooks and chefs

€ 56,979

Sous Chef

€ 34,000

Restaurant Manager

€ 25,000

Bartender

€ 20,500

Waiter’s Assistant

€ 19,500

Source: Talent 

Engineering: Average salary – € 33,291 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Aerospace Engineer

€ 46,000

Software Engineer

€ 35,250

Environmental Engineer

€ 37,500

Systems Engineer

€ 33,000

Mechanical Engineer

€ 31,698

Source: Talent 

Childcare and education: Average salary – € 30,921 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Babysitter

€ 46,800

Instructor

€ 36,400

Teacher

€ 29,594

Librarian

€ 21,816

Source: Talent 

Healthcare, pharmacy and social services: Average salary – € 29,268 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Cardiologist

€ 70,000

Dentist

€ 56,350

Surgeon

€ 56,160

Anaesthetist

€ 50,000

Psychiatrist

€ 39,500

Source: Talent 

Security forces and corps: Average salary – € 28,625 annually

 

Job Profile

Annual Average Income

Security Consultant

€ 36,250

Escort

€ 21,001

Source: Talent 

Average salary for part-time workers in Spain

The average income in Spain for a part-time worker varies between € 10 to € 20 per hour, depending on the job. Part-time jobs offer a great opportunity for students to earn extra income while gaining valuable work experience and developing essential skills. Here are some common part-time jobs available for students in Spain:

Average per hour salary for part-time worker in Spain

 

Type of Job

Average Pay per Hour 

IT support

€ 20

Fitness Trainer

€ 16

Social Media Expert

€ 16

Tutoring

€ 15

Cashier

€ 8

Source: Yocket.

Average salary in Spain: Citywise

The provincial salary variations in Spain are as follows:

 

City

Average monthly salary after tax

Madrid

€ 2174

Barcelona

€ 1978

Valencia

€ 2020

Seville

€ 1509

Source: LivingCost (Refer citywise pages)

 

Also Read: 5 salary negotiation tips that will get you paid what you’re worth.

Highest paying jobs in Spain

Spain’s highest-paying jobs are in Management, Healthcare, Finance, Law, and IT. These roles require specialised skills, carry high responsibility, and have an impact on organisations. Here is an overview of some of the highest-paying jobs in Spain:

 

Job title

Industry 

Average Annual Salary 

Chief Executive Officer

Management

€ 171,000

Surgeon

Healthcare

€ 170,000

Chief Financial Officer

Finance

€ 133,000

Radiologist

Healthcare

€ 120,000

Orthodontist

Healthcare

€ 118,000

ITS Director

Information Technology

€ 87,000

Judge

Law

€ 79,000

Marketing Director

Marketing and Sales

€ 79,000

Airline Pilot

Aviation

€ 73,000

Business Manager

Management

€ 71,000

Source: Grab Jobs

Lowest/minimum paying jobs in Spain

As of January 1, 2024, the basic salary in Spain for full-time workers as mandated by the government is € 1,134 per month. Here is a list of some of the lowest-paying jobs in Spain:

 

Job types

Industry 

Average monthly salary

Nursery School Teacher Assistant

Education, Science & Research

€ 1,188

Social counsellor

Social Care & Medicine

€ 1,344

Medical Records Clerk

Social Care & Medicine

€ 1,358

Porter, Information Staff

General labour

€ 1,362

Tailor

Apparel Industry, Leather, Textile 

€ 1,400

Pre-school/School/ Kindergarten nurse

Social Care & Medicine

€ 1,415

Housekeeper

Transport, Haulage, Logistics

€ 1,416

Cleaner

General labour

€ 1,428

Postal worker

Transport, Haulage, Logistics

€ 1,437

Assistant Teacher

Education, Science & Research

€ 1,468

Source: Paylab

Salary with respect to experience

Experience is highly valued and employers often prioritise candidates with relevant work experience. This is especially true in competitive fields like technology, finance and healthcare. Additionally, the experience can lead to increased responsibilities, promotions and access to higher-paying roles. 

 

Here is a brief overview of the increase in pay scale in Spain based on years of experience:

 

Industry 

Job Role

Beginner 

Experienced

Expert

Banking & Insurance

Chief Executive Officer

€ 130,000 

€ 180,000

€ 250,000

Real Estate

Head of Real Estate

€ 125,000

€ 140,000

€ 170,000

Healthcare & Life Science

Chief Medical Officer 

€ 100,000

€ 130,000

€ 150,000

Media & Entertainment

Communication & PR Director

€ 80,000

€ 130,000

€ 150,000

IT & Digital

Chief Digital Officer

€ 100,000

€ 120,000

€ 140,000

Source: A Guide to Salaries and Skills 2024 in Spain- Page Executive (Download the guide for complete data)

Difference between median & average (mean) salary

When considering a career in Spain, it is essential to grasp the nuances between Spain’s median income and mean income. These two metrics provide valuable insights into the country’s workforce’s earnings landscape.

 

The average salary is calculated by adding all salaries and dividing the total by the number of earners. Here is an example:

 

Consider a small company with five employees. The following are their wages:

 

Employee 1

€ 65,000

Employee 2

€ 78,000

Employee 3

€ 85,000

Employee 4

€ 92,000

Employee 5

€ 160,000

 

To calculate the average salary:

(€ 65,000 + € 78,000 + € 85,000 + € 92,000 + € 160,000)/5 = € 98,000.

 

Therefore the average salary in this company is € 98,000.

The median salary represents the middle value in a dataset when the values are arranged in ascending order. Considering the same example, the median would be € 85,000.

Before you go…

Before making major career changes and relocating to Spain, check out Spain’s average income in your field and desired role. After making your decision, it’s time to find a reliable international money transfer service. For example, If you need to send money to India from Spain, Instarem is an excellent choice. It offers fast, secure transfers with competitive rates, making it affordable# for expats.

 

Plus, Instarem’s App is also available on the App Store and Google Play, making the entire process convenient and hassle-free. 

FAQs

Q. What is the current average salary in Spain?

The current average salary in Spain per month for a full-time worker is € 1703 after the tax cut.

 

Q. What is a good salary in Spain?

Spain’s affordable cost of living allows a monthly income in Spain of € 1703 or more to support a comfortable lifestyle. However, individual needs and preferences can influence financial requirements. 

 

Q. Which job has the highest salary in Spain?

The highest-paying jobs in Spain are typically managerial roles like Chief Executive Officer (CEO), which require extensive experience, leadership skills and strategic thinking. 

 

Q. Which job has the lowest salary in Spain?

Nursery School Teacher Assistants have one of the lowest incomes in Spain, with an average monthly salary of € 1,188. 

 

Q. What is the average salary in Spain for IT professionals?

The average salary in Spain for IT professionals is around € 28,008 per year. 

 

Q. What is the average salary in Spain per month for an Indian?

The average salary in Spain for an Indian national can vary greatly depending on factors like experience, qualifications and location. However, Spain’s lower cost of living often allows an average salary to fund a comfortable lifestyle. 

 

Q. How do you find a job in Spain?

You can find a job in Spain by applying on foreign-friendly websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, Infojobs, Tecnoempleo and Monster. 

 

 

 

Disclaimers:

This article is intended for informational purposes only. All details are accurate at the time of publishing. Instarem has no affiliation or relationship with the products or vendors mentioned.

* Fast meaning 75% of our transactions are completed in 15 minutes. Depending on the funding method.

#When it comes to affordable exchange rates and fees, it’s worth noting that the cost will vary depending on how you choose to fund your transactions. Credit card funding and bank transfer fees can differ significantly. 

The currencies have been converted using the Forbes Currency Converter on 10th September 2024.

 

Citations

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