These are the highest-paying jobs in the automotive sector

Jobs related to workshops, cars, and transportation rank third among the most in-demand professions in 2024 in our country. The automotive sector is included in the study within the "Professions, Arts, and Trades" category, which recorded 255,718 vacancies in 2024.

The sector had a total of 27,748 vacancies in 2024, representing 11% of the total for the past year. A positive note is that the figure decreased by nearly 2,000 compared to 2023, when 29,470 vacancies needed to be filled.

This is reported by InfoJobs and Esade in their "Report on the State of the Labour Market in Spain 2024." In this ranking, the automotive sector is only surpassed by the transportation and electricity sub-sectors, with a close 13% and 12% respectively.

Software development engineers and automation engineers are the highest-paid employees in the automotive sector, with salaries reaching up to 50,000 euros gross annually in Spain, according to Adecco's 'Salary Guide.'

According to the human resources company, these two profiles are the most sought after by companies in the sector in 2025. Although salaries can reach up to 50,000 euros in the Basque Country, in any case, compensation exceeds the 40,000 euros gross annual barrier in eight regions, including Catalonia, Castile and León, the Community of Madrid, Galicia, Asturias, the Valencian Community, Andalusia, and the Region of Murcia.

Next, sales managers, mechatronics, and workshop managers form the second tier of jobs with higher salaries in the sector, starting from an initial salary of around 25,000 euros up to 45,000 euros. Particularly, the position of mechatronic can reach this figure due to high demand and low current supply, according to Adecco.

Following them, in a third tier, are mechanics, who can earn salaries ranging from 20,000 euros in areas like Galicia, Asturias, or Murcia for younger employees, up to 42,000 euros gross annually in Andalusia. Similarly, those working as C-license drivers, machining specialists, and sales advisors can earn up to 41,000 euros gross.

In the last segment analyzed by Adecco, parts operators in regions such as Andalusia, Castile and León, or the Basque Country have maximum salaries close to 32,000 euros.

The automotive sector is one of the most important in the Spanish economy, as it represents nearly 10% of the national GDP, with a turnover of 94 billion euros per year and employing over two million people.

In vehicle production, Spain currently ranks second in Europe and eighth worldwide. Spanish car factories assemble, on average, about 15.5 vehicles per year, compared to the European average of 5.4 million, according to recruitment entity data.

In terms of component manufacturing, according to Sernauto data, Spain ranks fourth in Europe, and the Spanish industry boasts a solid network of 1,000 plants distributed across the national territory.