I was using this website that says that the average salary in Spain is 26k euros per year

Salario Medio 2015 | datosmacro.com

The data you linked to is the average amount on the wageslips labelled as "salario ordinario bruto"

5-6 years ago when I was earning 70k+ in Barcelona my "salario ordinario bruto" was 1,200 euros per month despite my contract showing that my base salary was 60k plus bonuses

The accountants try and put as little money as possible as "salario ordinario bruto" so to minimise monthly social security payments

Does that make sense maths teacher?

Salaries in Spain are actually pretty good given that accommodation is so cheap

Sure, cleaners get maybe 1k euros per month, but in very few countries do cleaners get paid well

Most middling professionals earn 30k plus euros which is pretty comfortable

There is a reason why one in three children in Spain are sent to fee paying schools - their parents are pretty well off!

Nae idea mate.

Unless the article was written by statician, it was almost certainly the mean, as few people seem aware that the mode and the median exist. ...... And if it was written by a statician, shame on them for not specifying that it was the mode or the median!

Aha! So the spaniards are just as well off as the rest of europe, it's just that must of it comes under the table?

Sadly my experience doesn't tally with yours, although I wish it did. I know a fair number of 'young' (ie 30s and 40s) well educated people struggling to get by on 1000-1200 per month and some on temp contracts that pay less than that.

When I first arrived in Spain 11 years ago, being a mileurista was something to be pitied. For many it's become something to aspire to.

Not really, as on average Spanish have to spend around 39% of their salary on rent, if they are lucky enough to have a job.

I did look at the difference in that table there, They quote the mean for europe (rather than for spain, which is what we're arguing about) as 2062. The median would be between spain and malta, so 1415 and the mode, if we go in ranges of 0-99, 100-199 etc would be in the 2600-2699 bracket.

So the spanish salary is a long way behind the european mean, even further behind the mode but above of the median. Figures don't lie. Liars use figures.

But of course, we don't know how much black money the bulgarians and the danes get paid so it's all meanlingless anyway

Speaking as both a proper scientist by training and a social scientist by profession (note for Rachael )...

The accepted use of average in these kinds of reports is the mean. Which "means" that salaries at the top pull the mean forward somewhat, but of course this is true in all countries

The best data would be to compare all three measures across countries as well as the variance, as this would show how egalitarian societies are and what the likelihood of jumping from an average to a high salary may be

It would also be good to look at salaries by level of education

By my experience, those without a degree in Spain almost never earn more than 2k per month. While those with a degree and aged over 35 almost always earn over 1.5k per month and usually over 2k and salaries of 3k-6k per month are not at all unusual. Very very few earn over 8k per month though

You know cricketman has got me thinking. My old job there is vacant again and maybe I should try to persuade my former employer that one of those not at all unusual 3-6k salaries would be appropriate for someone of my immense talent and experience (and over 35)

I don't think they'd go for it.

I agree. I only commented to obliquely point out that Rachael criticised someone for using "average", then immediately did the same thing herself.

Well then you are obviously not worth it

Sigh, I'll come back when I've made my fortune elsewhere then.

someone wiser than me once posted here... the easiest way to make a million in spain...is to come here with 2 million....

"Average" salaries vary quite a bit depending on region, field, etc. I'd have to suspect that averages are far lower in the south than in the north. But among the cushiest jobs are in government. Above average salaries, loads of bennies, low work hours, and holidays galore. But government positions highly favour Spanish nationals, unless of course, it involves tourism or another outward-focused role. In any case, Spanish language a requirement.

Still, average salaries in Spain are decidedly lower than most of the EU. But so is cost of living (also varies by region). Also, as a foreigner, particularly if you don't speak the local language, your chances of gainful employment are far more limited (with a few exceptions, such a highly specialised fields e.g. marine / yacht engineering).

The general wisdom for foreigners (referring to non-spanish nationals) is to bring your money with you. The old joke is "if you want to be a millionaire in Spain, just bring 2 million with you".

I don't know how old that joke is, but at a barest minimum I know it is at least 40 minutes old.