Average salaries in Spain by profession and region

The highest paying professions

Many young people do not go to higher education, but go straight to work. Migrants often apply for these same positions. Foreigners often come for seasonal work in the agricultural sector.

People who work for themselves have fairly high incomes:

• Computer technicians – up to 6000-7000 euros,
• Air conditioner repair specialists – up to 5000-6000 euros.

Average salary in Spain by economic region

Spain's economy showed good growth in 2021, with the country's GDP increasing by 2.4% compared to the previous year. Growing production volumes require more personnel, so in Spain in 2017-2020. there was a decrease in the unemployment rate.

Personnel are in demand in all areas related to tourism: hotel business, catering establishments, entertainment industry, accompanying groups of tourists, selling souvenirs and goods of local producers. When it comes to sales and marketing, more and more consumers are resorting to online shopping. Companies are forced to create websites and attract e-commerce specialists. In traditional trade, there is a high demand for wholesale sales and export managers of products and raw materials, brand managers and business development specialists.

Areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, renewable energy sources and construction are rapidly developing in Spain. Professionals in these areas are willing to pay fairly high salaries.

As last year, the country is experiencing a shortage of qualified personnel in the field of IT technologies. Automotive, energy, online retail and banking industries are in dire need of software developers and information security specialists, who can expect higher pay in the near future.

It should be noted that, despite economic growth and a decrease in unemployment, the country still has problems in the labor market. First, the gap between the lowest and highest incomes of citizens is huge. If a simple handyman or cleaner earns about 1,000 euros, then the salary of a senior manager is 25 times higher. Secondly, the rather small salaries of the majority of the country’s population are a consequence of the fact that there are still fewer vacancies on the market than there are working-age citizens. And employers can save on wages, knowing that they will quickly find a replacement for a dissatisfied employee.

It is problematic to find a position with a decent salary for young mothers, people of pre-retirement age, people with disabilities, young professionals under 24 years old and foreigners.

Minimum salary in Spain

The minimum wage in Spain is 900 euros. For example, in neighboring France the minimum wage is 1,458 euros, and in Greece – 700 euros. Social payments are calculated from the same figure. Unemployment benefits are 70% of the minimum wage.

Salaries differ from region to region. So residents of Madrid and the Basque Country earn more, on average, by 5,000-10,000 euros per year, in Catalonia - by 3,000-5,000 euros more per year. The lowest payments to employees occur in the Canary Islands, Galicia, and Extremadura.

However, the north of Spain is often preferable for foreigners. There are practically no migrants from Africa who have filled the entire Spanish south. It's calm and safe there.

general information

The Spanish state occupies a leading position in other important criteria. Thus, the number of days intended for vacation exceeds the number of “vacation” days in other countries. In Spain, employees of a particular enterprise can rest for 39 days.

This country also has the largest number of sunny days. Life expectancy is also higher here. This is probably why Spain is increasingly being chosen for emigration.

Spanish revenue question

It is important to immediately note that a high standard of living does not imply high wages and reduced prices for food and medicine. That is, all this happened, but only in “pre-crisis” times

It is necessary to take into account the fact that this is an agricultural state. The majority of Spanish citizens are engaged in agriculture. Traditionally, work on land is considered the most highly paid.

The average salary in Spain for people involved in agriculture is nine hundred European rubles. A salary of 1.5-2 thousand euros is considered not just good, but prestigious.

The average salary of foreign workers employed in a variety of fields is as follows:

1. Maids and other service personnel earn an average of 700 euros/month.
2. Agricultural sector specialists receive about 800 euros/month.
3. Construction specialists receive from 800 to 1200 euros/month.
4. Office clerks receive up to 700 euros/month.
5. Specialists in the field of high technology receive from 900 to 2000 euros/month.

That is, wages in Spain do not at all imply that a person who arrived in this country as a “guest worker” will very soon go home as a Rothschild. And yet, Spain is a country with a very high standard of living. This is explained by the fact that the rent here is surprisingly affordable.

The fare is also low. Utilities are also inexpensive. But most importantly, gasoline is much cheaper here than in other European countries. In this regard, people even come to Spain from its more prosperous neighbor, France, to refuel.

How much does a good doctor make?

It is no secret that in Spain there are many qualified Russian-speaking doctors.

In this regard, a person with a medical education cannot help but wonder how one can get a job in a Spanish clinic and what a doctor’s salary is. It is important to understand that today’s doctor’s salary cannot be compared with the salary that representatives of this profession received in pre-crisis times. In 2021 it became slightly lower. Three years ago, a doctor’s salary was approximately sixty thousand European rubles per year.

In 2021, a doctor’s salary has become more dependent on the specific region in which a person lives. For example, the salary of a doctor with sixteen years of experience and living in Catalonia is 49,000 euros per year. Doctors living in Andalusia can receive up to 50,000 per year. Salaries for Galician doctors in 2021 range from 52,000 to 58,000. Extremaduran specialists can earn up to 59,000 euros per year in 2021.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZcptfLXU-xg%3Frel%3D0

Unemployment problem

By default, it is believed that only Third World or Eastern European countries face the problem of unemployment. But, against the backdrop of the current crisis, even such prosperous countries as France and Spain have been hit by unemployment.

In past years, Spain entered the so-called anti-rating. Today it occupies one of the top positions in terms of unemployment, so finding a job in Spain today is not easy. The country's authorities are actively addressing this problem. This is largely achieved due to the fact that foreign enterprises are opened on the territory of the state. This contributes to the creation of new jobs.

State assistance

If there is an acute shortage of specialists in some professions, the state, at its own expense, organizes and pays for 3-6 month courses to acquire the relevant specialty. Today it is:

• Plumbers and plumbers,
• Chefs and pastry chefs.

After completing the courses, finding a job becomes quite easy. Native Spaniards are in no hurry to work in the construction and engineering professions. Foreigners are filling this niche with great enthusiasm.

Unemployment level and ways to solve the problem

It is believed that unemployment affects mainly third world countries, but this negative phenomenon is also typical for some prosperous countries that are faced with financial difficulties. The Spanish economy is in a state of crisis, and in terms of unemployment the country occupies one of the highest positions in the anti-rating. For the first quarter of 2021, the figure is 21%. Finding work for Spaniards is not so easy, let alone for foreigners.

The government is actively addressing the problem of job shortages. Foreign enterprises are opening in the country, foreign investments are being attracted into the economy, and employment centers are operating. If you cannot find a job in your specialty, in 3-6 months you can master a new specialty that will be more in demand on the labor market. For example, in Madrid, chefs, pastry chefs, plumbers and electricians are now required. Training in such courses is paid for from the state budget.

Income tax (IRPF)

Spain has a progressive tax system. The more a person earns, the higher his tax rate. The exceptions are scholarships, pensions, unemployment benefits, and subsidies for victims of natural phenomena.

Income tax on savings

• Up to 6000 euros – 19%
• 6000 – 24000 euros – 21%
• 24,000 – 50,000 euros – 21%
• 50,000 euros and above – 23%

Income subject to taxation can be significantly reduced. Thus, tax deductions are provided for each taxpayer:

• When buying, renting and renovating a home;
• For disabled people and their families – from 3,000 to 12,000 euros;
• If you have children and dependents. For the first child - 2400 euros, for four - 4500 euros, for elderly parents living in a family - 1150-2550 euros;
• All taxpayers have a minimum amount of 5,550 euros established by law to meet basic living needs;
• Participants in savings pension programs can claim a deduction of 30%;
• When hiring a previously unemployed employee, you are entitled to a deduction of up to 8,000 euros.
• You can also get a deduction for contributions to charity and investments in preserving the historical and cultural heritage of the country.

Duration of vacation - 39 days. Taking into account the daily siestas, the picture turns out to be quite cordial.

How much do foreigners earn and where do they work?

For a foreigner, if he is not a resident of the European Union, it is quite difficult to get a job in Spain. There are labor shortages in this country where indigenous people do not want to work. These types include mainly hard, low-skilled labor. The easiest way for a foreigner to get a place is:

• seasonal worker, loader;
• waiter, salesman, porter, gas station attendant, car washer, taxi driver;
• service staff - for a woman who speaks a little language.

The average income of such workers is 1,500 € monthly, and the annual income in this case is 18,000.

The salary paid to a resident of another country will most often be less than that of a Spaniard. For example, if a native will receive on average 4200 (engineer), then a foreigner will receive about 3000. Qualified doctors are respected here. There are many Russian doctors in Spain. Those who were able to confirm their qualifications have a salary of 45-69 thousand € per year. Depends on the region.

People with high qualifications have the opportunity to find work with decent pay. These include: programmer, architect, mechanical engineer, chemist and agronomist. Naturally, knowing your profession well is not enough; you also need to speak the language. Teachers can receive decent pay, but they need to be fluent in Spanish and have proof of their qualifications. If you teach a subject that is in demand, the income will be the same as that of the natives.

Pension

Spain is one of the best countries for retirees. The minimum pension here starts from 636 euros, and the maximum is 2567 euros. Which even exceeds the salaries of many young workers. Spanish pensioners have the opportunity to travel and help their children and grandchildren. The only disappointment is that the retirement age for both men and women is 67 years.

There is good news for Russian pensioners. If you have worked in Spain for at least 15 years throughout your life, your Russian work experience will be counted and your pension will be higher.

Work in Catalonia

Due to unemployment in Spain, there are very few vacancies for Russians, so finding a job is always problematic: every owner must explain to government officials why he hires an immigrant and not an unemployed Spaniard. The situation is also aggravated by the crisis in neighboring countries - many are trying to find work in Spain, in particular in Catalonia.

On our website you can find out about work in Barcelona and in-demand professions in Spain.

But difficult does not mean impossible. Residents of Barcelona and the rest of Catalonia are in no hurry to work:

1. Loaders.
2. Waiters and maids.
3. Children's nannies.
4. Workers of processing plants.
5. Helpers in agriculture.
6. Laborers at the harvest.
7. Employees of clearing companies.
8. Elderly care assistants.

In other words, local residents are not interested in unskilled labor professions. Engineers and IT specialists who immigrated to Catalonia have a greater chance of finding a job. Alternatively, you can open your own business. It can be small, but stable, so that it not only generates income, but also covers very significant taxes.

Medicine and healthcare

Free medical care is provided to all citizens of Spain, as well as foreigners who are legally present in its territory. To do this, you need to obtain a Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (TSI) medical card. This can be obtained from your local Social Security office. Another advantage of TSI is that it (if the doctor prescribed you a medicine) gives large discounts - from 10% to 100%. The size of the discount is determined by your income. The unemployed receive medicines for free.

If you do not have a TSI card, you can count on free medical care in Spain only if you need urgent surgery, in situations of accident and socially dangerous diseases.

The only region of Spain where everyone, including illegal immigrants and foreigners, is treated for free is Catalonia.

Healthcare in Spain

The average life expectancy in Spain is about 82 years. This was made possible thanks to one of the best healthcare systems. This is also facilitated by a wonderful climate, a special Mediterranean-type diet and attitude to life and work in general. The Spaniards are happy to profess all these aspects of life and try to adhere to them.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/cGb7hdhMrcM?rel=0 Healthcare in Spain is considered one of the most effective and high-quality in the world.

Due to the resulting unemployment and deteriorating economic situation, healthcare in Spain may suffer slightly, as the government has decided to reduce some free procedures and manipulations.

The main indicator of health care is the willingness of health workers to provide medical care, regardless of their country affiliation and the availability of material resources. Medicine in Spain, despite the crisis, provides free services to children of emigrants and pregnant women.

Hospital in Benidorm in Spain

The document allowing you to receive medical services is a social insurance card. If available, a health card will be issued. Only its owner can use such a card. Based on this, you can receive a European-style card, which allows you to receive medical care throughout the European Union.

In general, life in Spain, despite many nuances, remains a golden dream for many Russians. Considering their food prices and inexpensive real estate rent in 2021, even with small salaries you can feel good there.

In this video you can see what prices are in shops and cafes in Mallorca.

Family income and expenses in Spain

Compared to other developed countries of the European Union, Spain remains in 20th place in terms of wages. But there are also advantages. Prices for food, shoes and clothing, services and utility bills are as much as 30% lower here.

The family budget fits perfectly. A family of two will spend about 350 euros per month on groceries, utility bills will cost 130-150 euros. The cost of renting a home depends greatly on where you live. There are options for apartments and houses from 300 euros per month. In Barcelona and Madrid they will be higher.

School education is completely free.

Prices

On average, to provide yourself with all the necessary products for a month, an amount of 300 euros will be enough for two citizens. Paying for utilities also does not require large financial costs:

1. The electricity bill is approximately 40 euros per month for two people. If air conditioning is used in summer, this amount increases by approximately 30%.
2. About 15 euros need to be paid every month for water. If the land has a garden or swimming pool, this amount increases to 65 euros per month.
3. Unlimited Internet costs about 40 euros, and landline phone charges do not exceed 20 euros.

The amount of payments depends on the size of the residential building. As a rule, in Spain payments for utilities are made once or twice a year.