There is no single figure: the salary for remote work depends mainly on whether you are hired by a Spanish company (which usually aligns with the local market) or a foreign company (which sometimes pays based on your role, not your location).
The three factors that most influence the figure
- Country of the hiring company: US/UK companies tend to pay more than Spanish companies for the same role, even after adjusting for location.
- Salary adjustment policy: some remote-first companies pay the same no matter where you live; others apply an adjustment ("location-based pay") based on the cost of living in your country.
- Industry and level of specialization: development, data and product usually pay more than support or administration, remote or not.
How to Estimate Your Reasonable Range
Always compare three sources before accepting a figure: the salary range published on transparent tech job sites (such as Landing.jobs), what people are paid in Spain for the same in-person position, and similar job postings on Remote OK filtered by salary. If all three point to a similar range, you have a reliable figure to use in negotiations.
| Factor | Effect on Wages |
|---|---|
| Spanish company | Tailored to the local market, lowest price point |
| U.S./U.K. Company | Highest salary benchmark, with or without a geographic adjustment |
| Location-Based Pay | Your salary goes down if you move to a country with a lower cost of living |
| Specialization (development, data, product) | He usually pays more than the support or administrative fees |
Frequently asked questions
Do foreign companies pay better than Spanish companies for remote work?
Generally speaking, yes, especially in tech roles, where the U.S. and the U.K. have higher benchmark salaries. But it's not a universal rule: it always depends on the specific role and company.
When working remotely, is it better to get paid in euros or dollars?
It depends on your tolerance for exchange rate risk: getting paid in dollars can provide a higher margin if the exchange rate is favorable, but it introduces volatility in your monthly income. If you prefer predictability, negotiate the amount in euros from the start.
