Average Salary in Spain

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 9, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

What is the average salary in Spain?

In 2024, the gross average salary in Spain was €26,950 per year or €2,245 per month. This is around US$29,940 or ₤22,835. Considering all the days worked in a year, the average worker earns around €107.80 a day, and around €13.48 per hour.

Compared to the rest of Europe, the Spanish average salary is positioned below the EU average of €28,217 (2023). Wages in Southern Europe are generally lower than Western or Northern Europe. This salary data was reported by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) in 2022 and is currently the latest from the government of Spain.

What is the average salary in Barcelona?

The average salary in Barcelona is €33,840 a year or €2,820 per month before taxes. Using the tax calculator, we can determine that the average worker in Barcelona is receiving €25,122 per year after taxes. This salary data is from Barcelona City Council’s Municipal Data Office (2022).

What is the average salary in Madrid?

The average salary in Madrid is €27,384 a year or €2,282 per month. This is according to a report from ABC published in 2024. People living and working in cities like Madrid and Barcelona enjoy higher salaries (on average) and better job opportunities.

What is the minimum wage in Spain?

In 2024, the minimum wage in Spain is €1,134 per month. This works out to a total annual salary of €15,876 (14 instalments of €1,134). If you are working part-time and by the hour, you can expect to earn €8.87 per hour.

Spain’s minimum wage is lower compared to Western Europe and Ireland, but it’s still relatively high when compared to Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Spain has the added bonus of a better work-life balance, with longer lunch breaks and with most people working less than 40 hours per week.

What is a good salary in Spain?

Like most countries, the cost of living in major cities (like Barcelona and Madrid) will be higher, so a good salary will depend on where you live. According to our research, €30,000 is a good base salary for a single person living in Spain. It’s above the average, and will get you by in both the country and major cities.

Let’s look at some of the numbers. The cost of living in Madrid (arguably the most expensive city in Spain) is €1,799 per month including rent. If you were earning €30,000, you would be left with €500 to save or spend after your bills were paid. For a more comfortable life in Spain, a salary of €40,000+ is what you should be aiming for–and that salary will obviously go a lot further if you choose to live in a smaller city.

Average salary after tax Spain

The average salary in Spain is €26,950, when we apply the 21% tax ruling, the net salary is €21,411. You can find out more about taxes by visiting Taxes in Spain or calculate your own expected income using our Tax Calculator.

What are the highest-paying jobs in Spain?

Let’s look at the most common professions for expats moving to and working in Spain (source: Payscale).

• Digital Marketing Specialist: €29,500
• HR Generalist: €29,900
• Senior Recruiter: €37,500
• Data Analyst: €30,000
• UX Designer: €30,200
• Project Manager (IT): €49,500
• Customer Support: €24,000
• Sales / Business Manager: €41,700
• Software Engineer: €39,500

Average salary comparison by country