Wages in Spain could register in 2027 an average increase of between 3% and 3.5%, while professionals with profiles considered critical or difficult to replace would see revisions of between 5% and 7%, according to the projections collected in the 2027 Remuneration Study prepared by Michael Page.
The firm specialized in talent selection anticipates that companies will combine general salary increases of between 2% and 3% with specific increases for certain positions, especially in those sectors where highly qualified profiles are scarce. However, these forecasts could be adjusted depending on how inflation evolves during the last quarter of 2026.
Among the sectors with the best prospects for salary improvement and job creation for the next fiscal year are Industry, Financial Services, Energy, Pharmaceuticals, Real Estate and Construction, Hospitality, and Technology, which concentrate a good part of the demand for qualified talent.
Within the technological area, the search for professionals will focus especially on specialists in ERP systems, data and artificial intelligence, as well as in cybersecurity profiles. In the field of Engineering, automation engineers, health, safety and environment managers, and maintenance managers are gaining prominence, all of them highly demanded.
The shortage of candidates with the right skills continues to be a cross-cutting challenge. 100% of the retail companies analyzed by Michael Page recognize difficulties in finding profiles that fit their needs, a percentage that stands at 73% in Technology, 63% in Finance, and 60% in Real Estate and Construction, which evidences the pressure in the labor market.
The report also highlights the growing importance of digital skills. According to data from Talent Trends 2026 from the company, 65% of professionals regularly use generative artificial intelligence in their daily work, while 36% prioritize work-life balance over salary when evaluating a job offer.
Social benefits and pay transparency
Beyond the fixed salary, social benefits and flexibility are consolidating as key tools for attracting and retaining talent, especially in those positions where competition among companies is more intense and turnover can be higher.
Likewise, Michael Page emphasizes the relevance of advancing in salary transparency in light of the implementation of the European directive on this matter, whose objective is to reinforce pay equality between women and men and provide greater clarity on the criteria that determine remuneration.
The company reminds that salary differences between similar positions can depend on factors such as previous experience, the degree of specialization, or the size of the organization, which is why it considers it essential to have updated market references to adjust salary offers and maintain competitiveness in attracting professionals.