A person working in Barcelona typically earns around 3,140 EUR. Salaries range from 960 EUR (lowest average) to 13,200 EUR (highest average, actual maximum salary is higher).
This is the average salary including housing, transport, and other benefits. Salaries in Barcelona vary drastically between different careers. If you are interested in the salary of a particular job, see below for salaries for specific job titles.
Minimum Salary 960 EUR |
Median 2,930 EUR |
Maximum 13,200 EUR |
Salaries in Barcelona range from 960 EUR (starting salary) to 13,200 EUR (maximum average salary, actual maximum is higher). This is not the minimum wage as per the law, only the lowest reported number in the salary survey that had thousands of participants and professionals from all over the country.
The median salary is 2,930 EUR, which means that 50% of the population in Barcelona earns less than that while the other half earns more. The median represents the middle salary value. Generally speaking, you would want to be on the right side of the graph with the group earning more than the median salary.
Closely related to the median are two values: the 25th and the 75th percentiles. Reading from the salary distribution diagram, 25% of the population in Barcelona earn less than 2,180 EUR while 75% of them earn more. Also from the diagram, 75% of the population earn less than 4,310 EUR while 25% earn more than that.
We grouped the most common and recurring salaries into brackets to give more insight into what salary to expect. This method is more accurate than just the average salary and gives more insights into how salaries are actually distributed in Barcelona. Around 65% of all reported figures are in the range 2,020 EUR to 4,820 EUR. Approximately 20% fall under the 2,020 EUR cap. Ten percent of wages are from 4,820 EUR to 6,090 EUR. Only 5% of people grossed 6,090 EUR or more.
Salary is primarily determined by the level of experience one possesses, with higher levels of experience resulting in higher wages.
In Barcelona, employees with two to five years of experience typically earn an average of 32% more than entry-level and junior workers in all industries and fields.
Individuals with more than five years of experience tend to earn an average of 36% more than those with less than five years of experience.
After ten years of work, salaries increase by 21%, with an additional 14% increase for those who have worked for over 15 years.
These figures should be used as rough estimates, as considering individual job titles can lead to more accurate assessments.
The correlation between higher education and higher salary is widely acknowledged, but how much of an income increase can one expect from obtaining a degree?
We conducted a study in Barcelona comparing the salaries of professionals with different levels of college degrees who held similar positions in various industries.
Our results showed that individuals with a certificate or diploma earned an average of 17% more than those who only completed high school.
Those who obtained a Bachelor's Degree earned 24% more than their counterparts with a certificate or diploma.
Professionals with a Master's Degree earned 29% more than those with a Bachelor's Degree.
Finally, those who held a PhD earned an average of 23% more than those with a Master's Degree while performing the same job.
Earning a Master's degree or any post-graduate qualification in Spain is a substantial financial commitment, with tuition fees ranging from 13,600 EUR to 40,900 EUR and a duration of around two years. It's important to note that during this period, any salary increases are unlikely, assuming ongoing employment. Salary reviews are typically conducted after completing the program and obtaining the degree.
Many individuals pursue advanced education as a means of transitioning to higher-paying positions, and the statistics indicate that this is an effective strategy. On average, individuals who change jobs after earning a higher degree receive a salary increase of about 10% more than the typical annual raise.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to pursue advanced education depends on a variety of factors, including the personal situation and experience. However, if one can afford the financial costs of obtaining a higher degree, the return on investment is likely to be worthwhile, with the ability to recoup the costs in approximately a year.
Though gender should not have an effect on pay, in reality, it does. So who gets paid more: men or women? In Spain, the average difference between the salary of male and female employees is 4% across all career fields.
Male | 2,780 EUR | |
Female | -4% | 2,670 EUR |
Employees in Spain are likely to observe a salary increase of approximately 8% every 17 months.
The term Annual Salary Increase usually refers to the increase in 12 calendar month period, but because it is rare that people get their salaries reviewed exactly on the one-year mark, it is more meaningful to know the frequency and the rate at the time of the increase.
The annual salary Increase in a calendar year (12 months) can be easily calculated as follows: Annual Salary Increase = Increase Rate x 12 / Increase Frequency
Not all compensation increases are reflected directly in the salary. Some companies offer upgraded packages to their staff instead of cash money. The figures displayed here account only for direct increments to the base salary.
100% of surveyed staff in Spain reported that they haven't received any bonuses or incentives in the previous year while % said that they received at least one form of monetary bonus.
Those who got bonuses reported rates ranging from % to % of their annual salary.
Received Bonus | % | |
No Bonus | 100% |
The most standard form of bonus, where the employee is awarded based on their exceptional performance.
Company Performance BonusesOccasionally, some companies like to celebrate excess earnings and profits with their staff collectively in the form of bonuses that are granted to everyone. The amount of the bonus will probably be different from person to person depending on their role within the organization.
Goal-Based BonusesGranted upon achieving an important goal or milestone.
Holiday / End of Year BonusesThese types of bonuses are given without a reason and usually resemble an appreciation token.
People tend to confuse bonuses with commissions. A commission is a prefixed rate at which someone gets paid for items sold or deals completed while a bonus is in most cases arbitrary and unplanned.
Finance | High | |
Architecture | High | |
Sales | High | |
Business Development | High | |
Marketing / Advertising | High | |
Information Technology | Moderate | |
Healthcare | Moderate | |
Insurance | Moderate | |
Customer Service | Moderate | |
Human Resources | Moderate | |
Construction | Low | |
Transport | Low | |
Hospitality | Low |
The main two types of jobs | |
Revenue Generators | Supporting Cast |
Employees that are directly involved in generating revenue or profit for the organization. Their field of expertise usually matches the type of business. | Employees that support and facilitate the work of revenue generators. Their expertise is usually different from that of the core business operations. |
Example: | Example: |
Revenue generators usually get more and higher bonuses, higher salaries, and more frequent salary increments. The reason is quite simple: it is easier to quantify your value to the company in monetary terms when you participate in revenue generation.
Top management personnel and senior employees naturally exhibit higher bonus rates and frequencies than juniors. This is very predictable due to the inherent responsibilities of being higher in the hierarchy. People in top positions can easily get double or triple bonus rates than employees down the pyramid.
Job Title | Average Salary |
Accounting and Finance | |
Accountant | 2,210 EUR |
Accounting Assistant | 1,720 EUR |
Accounting Manager | 4,550 EUR |
Bookkeeper | 1,500 EUR |
Chartered Accountant | 2,720 EUR |
Corporate Treasurer | 4,130 EUR |
Financial Analyst | 3,960 EUR |
Financial Manager | 5,980 EUR |
Internal Auditor | 3,010 EUR |
Administration / Reception / Secretarial | |
Administrative Assistant | 1,770 EUR |
Office Manager | 2,730 EUR |
Receptionist | 1,620 EUR |
Secretary | 1,480 EUR |
Advertising / Graphic Design / Events | |
Art Director | 3,040 EUR |
Creative Director | 2,970 EUR |
Graphic Designer | 2,050 EUR |
Photographer | 1,720 EUR |
Airlines / Aviation / Aerospace / Defense | |
Aerospace Engineer | 3,700 EUR |
Air Traffic Controller | 3,440 EUR |
Flight Attendant | 2,070 EUR |
Pilot | 5,060 EUR |
Architecture | |
Architect | 3,610 EUR |
CAD Drafter | 1,620 EUR |
Automotive | |
Mechanic | 1,240 EUR |
Service Advisor | 2,170 EUR |
Banking | |
Bank Branch Manager | 5,560 EUR |
Teller | 1,310 EUR |
Bilingual | |
Teacher | 2,420 EUR |
Translator | 2,720 EUR |
Business Planning | |
Business Analyst | 3,590 EUR |
Business Development Manager | 4,600 EUR |
Project Manager | 3,720 EUR |
Care Giving and Child Care | |
Nanny | 1,340 EUR |
Nursery Teacher | 1,270 EUR |
Construction / Building / Installation | |
Civil Engineer | 2,870 EUR |
Construction Project Manager | 4,900 EUR |
Health and Safety Officer | 1,450 EUR |
Customer Service and Call Center | |
Call Center Representative | 1,240 EUR |
Customer Service Manager | 3,960 EUR |
Customer Service Representative | 1,340 EUR |
Engineering | |
Civil Engineer | 2,700 EUR |
Electrical Engineer | 2,870 EUR |
Engineer | 2,870 EUR |
Mechanical Engineer | 2,950 EUR |
Executive and Management | |
Chief Executive Officer | 6,340 EUR |
Chief Financial Officer | 5,830 EUR |
General Manager | 5,060 EUR |
Project Manager | 3,470 EUR |
Food / Hospitality / Tourism / Catering | |
Chef | 1,930 EUR |
Executive Chef | 2,280 EUR |
Hotel Manager | 5,270 EUR |
Receptionist | 1,300 EUR |
Travel Agent | 2,080 EUR |
Waiter / Waitress | 1,120 EUR |
Health and Medical | |
Dentist | 6,820 EUR |
Dietitian | 5,590 EUR |
Laboratory Technician | 2,390 EUR |
Nurse | 2,360 EUR |
Human Resources | |
Human Resources Manager | 4,550 EUR |
Human Resources Officer | 1,900 EUR |
Information Technology | |
Computer Technician | 2,340 EUR |
Database Administrator | 3,120 EUR |
Developer / Programmer | 2,970 EUR |
Information Technology Manager | 4,860 EUR |
Network Engineer | 2,690 EUR |
Law Enforcement / Security / Fire | |
Police Officer | 1,960 EUR |
Legal | |
Attorney | 5,940 EUR |
Legal Assistant | 1,710 EUR |
Media / Broadcasting / Arts / Entertainment | |
Journalist | 3,350 EUR |
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology | |
Biomedical Engineer | 2,700 EUR |
Pharmacist | 3,730 EUR |
Sales Retail and Wholesale | |
Cashier | 1,340 EUR |
Sales Manager | 5,010 EUR |
Sales Representative | 1,960 EUR |
Teaching / Education | |
Elementary School Teacher | 2,100 EUR |
Secondary School Teacher | 2,460 EUR |
The hourly wage is the salary paid in one worked hour. Usually, jobs are classified into two categories: salaried jobs and hourly jobs. Salaried jobs pay a fixed amount regardless of the hours worked. Hourly jobs pay per worked hour. To convert salary into hourly wage the above formula is used (assuming 5 working days in a week and 8 working hours per day which is the standard for most jobs). The hourly wage calculation may differ slightly depending on the worked hours per week and the annual vacation allowance. The figures mentioned above are good approximations and are considered to be the standard. One major difference between salaried employees and hourly paid employees is overtime eligibility. Salaried employees are usually exempt from overtime as opposed to hourly paid staff.
The minimum pay rate per hour for a person in Barcelona is 6 EUR. This is the minimum as per the gathered data in the salary survey not the minimum hourly rate mandated by law.
City | Average Salary |
Barcelona | 3,140 EUR |
Bilbao | 2,700 EUR |
Las Palmas | 2,750 EUR |
Madrid | 3,200 EUR |
Malaga | 2,920 EUR |
Murcia | 2,870 EUR |
Palma de Mallorca | 2,810 EUR |
Sevilla | 3,030 EUR |
Valencia | 3,090 EUR |
Zaragoza | 2,980 EUR |
Where can you get paid more, working in a private company or the government? The difference between the public or government sector salaries and the private sector salaries in Spain is 5% on average across all career fields.
Private Sector | 2,660 EUR | |
Public Sector | +5% | 2,780 EUR |
It is extremely difficult to give an exact figure of a good salary when no specific job is selected, however; an estimate can be provided based purely on the cost of living. A good compensation in Barcelona would range anywhere between 2,930 EUR and 4,310 EUR.
All salary and compensation figures displayed here are gross salary figures, that is the salary before tax deductions. Because taxes may differ across sectors and locations, it is difficult to accurately calculate the net salary after tax for every career.
The base salary in Barcelona ranges from 960 EUR to 2,180 EUR. The base salary depends on many factors including profession, experience, and education. It is not easy to provide a figure with very little information, so take this range with a grain of salt.
Both are indicators. If your salary is higher than both the average and the median then you are doing very well. If your salary is lower than both, then many people earn more than you and there is plenty of room for improvement. If your wage is between the average and the median, then things can be a bit complicated. We wrote a guide to explain all about the different scenarios. How to compare your salary
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