To hire top talent in Spain, businesses need more than a general idea of what’s considered competitive. Spain’s average salaries vary widely, depending on region, industry, and local expectations of what a fair pay package is. What’s standard in Madrid might feel out of step in Sevilla, for example.
Setting the right salary stops businesses from overpaying or losing candidates to better offers. This guide breaks down the average salary in Spain, the forces shaping it, and what businesses need to consider when creating a salary benchmarking strategy in Spain.
What’s the average salary in Spain?
As of the most recent data published by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) in September 2024, the average annual gross salary in Spain for 2022 was €26,948.87. This figure includes total earnings before deductions such as income tax and social security contributions.
On a monthly basis, that equates to approximately €2,246 gross per month (based on 12 equal payments). The net salary in Spain will vary depending on the individual's tax bracket, social security contributions, and any applicable deductions.
If you’re planning to hire and pay employees in Spain, keep in mind that most Spanish workers are entitled to 13th- and 14th-month bonuses. These extra payments, known as pagas extraordinarias, are often distributed in the summer and at year-end, although many companies choose to prorate them across monthly paychecks. By law, these payments must equal at least 30 days of base salary. Based on the average monthly wage, that brings a typical annual gross income to around €30,870.
Median salary in Spain
Determining salary offers based solely on average wages can be misleading since high and low earners can skew the numbers. The median salary offers a more accurate view of typical earnings—it represents the midpoint where half of workers earn more and half earn less. For employers, this figure provides a clearer picture of what most people in Spain actually earn.
In Spain, the median salary is consistently lower than the average, and the data reflects a notable gender gap. However, take those figures with some caution—median salary data is less frequently updated than average wage statistics. According to the most recent INE, based on 2021 data, the median gross salary was €19,163 for women and €23,491 for men.
Factors influencing salaries in Spain
Hiring in Spain—like anywhere in the world—means adjusting salary expectations based on personal qualifications and regional market realities. From local cost of living to sought-after industries, here are some key factors that shape salary expectations across the country:
- Experience: The number of years a worker has spent in their field tends to influence their earning potential. More experienced employees often have greater negotiating power due to their expertise, ability to handle complex tasks, and overall value to employers.
- Education: Higher education, including university degrees and specialized certifications, might mean better-paying salary levels, especially in fields like healthcare, law, engineering, and management. That said, in some industries, practical skills often matter more in trades or creative sectors.
- Location: Remember, the cost of living in Spain varies significantly by region. According to user-sourced estimates from Numbeo, the average expenses (excluding housing) for a single person is €716. Rent can range from €900–€1,200 for a one-bedroom apartment in cities like Madrid or Barcelona, while smaller cities like Bilbao may offer lower housing costs. Salaries in Spain often reflect these regional differences.
- Nationality: While Spain enforces equal pay regulations, some workers—especially those from non-EU countries—may encounter salary disparities due to visa-related restrictions or language barriers.
- Job market: Spain’s unemployment rate was 10.61% in 2024, one of the highest in the EU. While it varies by industry, an oversupply of job seekers can push wages down, particularly in sectors like tourism and hospitality.
Average salary by region
According to data collected by the INE, there are noticeable wage disparities across regional lines. Local industry, cost of living, and regional economic strength play a significant role in these differences.
Regions like País Vasco (Basque Country), Madrid, and Navarra (Navarre) report the highest average salaries, reflecting both a higher cost of living and overall contributions to the national economy. Less economically developed and more rural regions, like Extremadura or Islas Canarias (the Canary Islands), tend to have lower average wages.
Here’s an overview of how regional salaries in Spain vary:
- Andalucia: €26,948
- Aragón: €24,041
- Catalunya (Catalonia): €28,774
- Extremadura: €21,922
- Galicia: €24,169
- Madrid: €31,230
- Murcia: €23,851
- Navarra: €29,189
- País Vasco: €32,313
- Valencia: €24,510
Average salary by industry
Industry is one of the biggest drivers of salary expectations, and those expectations don’t always align from one country to the next. In Spain, accommodation and food service tend to have some of the lowest wages, whereas salaries in finance exceed the national average.
Here’s a list of average salaries by industry, according to the INE:
- Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply: €55,470
- Financial and insurance activities: €47,239
- Information and communication: €37,438
- Mining and quarrying: €36,308
- Human health and social work: €30,381
- Real estate: €26,172
- Wholesale and retail: €23,209
- Arts and entertainment: €19,360
- Hospitality and food services: €16,274
Gender wage gap in Spain
Unfortunately, there’s a significant gender wage gap in Spain. According to a 2022 wage structure survey conducted by the INE, the average salary for women was €24,359 compared to €29,381 earned by their male counterparts. Career segmentation, childcare responsibilities, and lower representation of women in high-paying sectors all contribute to this gap.
There are, however, signs of change. According to the same study, women’s wages grew at a faster rate than men’s, with average earnings for men increasing by 3.5%, while women’s salaries rose by 5.1%. There’s still some way to go to close the gap, but this trend indicates gradual progress toward pay equity.
Simplify payroll for your global team
Managing payroll across Spain doesn’t have to involve the complexities of finding a local PEO to partner with. Oyster’s global payroll solution takes the hassle out of the process by automating payments, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and offering a centralized hub for invoicing, reimbursements, and reporting. For more info about the nuances of pay, check out Oyster’s EOR services in Spain, and discover how Oyster streamlines payroll in Spain and worldwide by booking a demo today.
FAQs
How does the average salary in Spain compare with other EU countries?
According to official EU statistics, the average Spanish salary is slightly below the EU average. In 2023, the net annual wage for an average single worker with no children was €28,217. On average, northern European countries offer higher salaries than those in southern and eastern Europe.
What’s considered a good salary to live comfortably in Spain?
Salary expectations are highly subjective and depend on both location and personal circumstances. For example, living in cities like Madrid or Barcelona typically requires a higher income due to the elevated cost of living, while smaller cities or rural areas may require less to maintain a similar lifestyle.
Are there differences in salaries between expats and locals?
Expats may have the opportunity to negotiate higher wages, particularly if their skills are in short supply locally. Additionally, contractors and digital nomads working remotely may negotiate salaries similar to what they would earn in their home country, depending on their industry and experience level.
What’s the minimum wage in Spain?
As of 2025, the minimum gross annual wage is €16,576, paid across 14 installments. The minimum wage in Spain per hour is €9.26. Spain’s minimum wage changes annually based on government negotiations with trade unions.
About Oyster
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