The report by the Department of Analysis at the Municipal Data Office, based on information relating to salaries in the Ongoing Sample of Working Lives (MCVL), shows that the average salary in Barcelona was 5.9% higher than that of residents in the metropolitan area and higher than the figure for Catalonia (+14.8%) and Spain (+26.2%).

Continuous reduction of the wage divide

The average salary of women residents in the city in 2023 (32,377) euros was 15.7% lower than the figure for men (38,407 euros). The gender wage divide has been reduced by more than 1% compared to 2022 and nearly 10% if we count the last ten tax years.

Growth among young people between the ages of 25 and 29

Average salaries have grown in nominal terms among all age groups except for the under-25s and the eldest generations. The most positive evolution in 2023 was among those aged from 25 to 29, who receive an average salary of 25,888 euros, some 6.2% more than in 2022. Despite negative growth in 2023, the under-25s are the group who have seen the most growth in real terms since 2010, a figure of 16.6%, allowing them to reduce intergenerational differences in salaries.

Recovery in hospitality

Hospitality, the branch worst hit by the health crisis and with the lowest average wages in the economy (20,034 euros) saw the most significant annual salary increase for the third year running (+7.8% in real terms), putting the sector very close to the 2019 level and with similar spending power to 2010.

Salary differences between professional groups stayed relatively stable from 2022 to 2023.

Positive evolution in all districts

As with the two previous years, the evolution of salaries was positive in all districts. The biggest growth was in Ciutat Vella (+6.9%), Gràcia (+6.4%) and Sant Andreu (+6.1%), with Les Corts the only district where the rise was lower than inflation (+1.8%). Territorial salary inequalities were similar to those from 2022 and average salaries in the highest bracket (Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, at 56,885 euros) were 2.2 times higher than the lowest bracket (Nou Barrris, at 26,125 euros).