In an economic context in which the cost of living only increases, many Spaniards are looking for a new job that offers them a higher salary. According to the OECD, inflation stood at 4.1% in the month of July. However, those whose salary is above the Spanish average They will not have noticed its effects as much.
As approved by the Council of Ministers on February 17, 2026, The Minimum Interprofessional Wage for 2026 is 1,221 euros per monthdivided into 14 payments. A figure lower than the average salary according to the 2024 Annual Salary Structure Survey, which placed it at approximately 2,461 euros divided into 12 payments.
However, this figure is very far from the amount received by the richest 1% of people in Spain, according to Chema González, content creator specialized in real estate investment. To belong to this exclusive group, you need to earn an approximate salary of 7,500 euros. A considerable figure, but one that falls far behind the amounts of the richest population in other countries.
From 28,000 euros in Switzerland to 3,500 euros in Argentina
As the content creator explains, the country in which a higher salary is needed to belong to the 1% of richest people is Swisswith approximately 28,000 euros per month. This figure reveals the high salaries received by workers in this nation, with an average of 7,024 Swiss francs per month, that is, 7,473 euros. However, this is also reflected in its high cost of living.
Something similar happens in USAwhich is positioned as the second most demanding country when it comes to entering the group of richest citizens, with 25,000 euros per month. And with the United Kingdom, which establishes the figure at 18,000 euros per month. Amounts considerably higher than those established in Spain, which is even below Germany and Italy, where people are considered rich from between approximately 14,000 and 9,000 euros.
However, our nation is not the worst positioned in this ranking prepared by Chema González; in some Latin American nations the amount required is lower than that set in Spain. This is the example of Mexico, in which 6,500 euros per month are required to enter the 1% of the richest population; or from Colombia, with 4,000 euros per month. The nation in which it takes the lowest salary to be considered rich is Argentina, with 3,500 euros per month.
Jobs with the highest salary in Spain
Regarding the jobs that offer the highest salaries in Spain, according to a ranking prepared by the Infojobs employment portal, based on 700,000 offers, the specialist doctors from the private sector are the best paid, with an annual average of 56,832 gross annual euros. In second place are information technology system architects, with salaries of approximately 51,789 euros.
The third sector that offers better salary opportunities to its employees is the financial sector, especially for those who work as managers, receiving an average of 50,368 euros per year. While in fourth place, and returning to the technology sector, are software architects, with salaries of 50,048 euros.
However, and according to the Annual Salary Structure Survey prepared by the INE with data collected in 2024, The average annual salary in Spain is 29,540 euros per workerthat is, 2,461 euros per month. A figure that is quite far from the average of 7,500 euros needed to enter the group of the richest 1% in Spain.