Salaries paid by political representatives are often a matter for the state and citizens are most interested in knowing about them. The the maximum salaries mayors can earn in Spain They vary according to population and dedication, although each city council has the power to adjust them. The mayor’s salary in Spain is decided by the municipal plenary session, which is to the municipality what the congress is to the whole country.
The salary of mayors can also vary depending on dedication which they are in charge of. If the mayor is part-time, his maximum salary is reduced according to the dedication percentage.
In 2023, according to the Ministry of Finance in Spain, mayors They earn an average of 40,201 euros gross per year. However, in practice it is a different matter. The range of their remuneration thus varies from zero euros per year, which almost 2,500 councilors earn, to 115,000 euros gross per year, which others can exceed.
How much can a mayor earn?
The maximum limits What mayors can get based on population is as follows, according to Neutral’s calculation:
- From 1,000 to 5,000 inhabitants: 46,464.02 euros gross per year.
- From 5,001 to 10,000 inhabitants: 52,272.61 euros gross per year.
- From 10,001 to 20,000 inhabitants: 58,080.05 euros gross per year.
- From 20,001 to 50,000 inhabitants: 63,888.61 gross euros per year.
- From 50,001 to 75,000 inhabitants: 75,504.62 euros gross per year.
- From 75,001 to 150,000 inhabitants: 87,120.59 euros gross per year.
- From 150,001 to 300,000 inhabitants: 92,928.03 euros gross per year.
- From 300,001 to 500,000 inhabitants: 104,544.03 euros gross per year.
- More than 500,000 inhabitants: 116,160.05 euros gross per year.
How are mayors’ salaries decided?
Salaries for mayors in Spain depend on several factors, including:
- The population of the village: according to the law, as seen above, the maximum limits that mayors can receive depending on the number of inhabitants are different.
- Dedication: The salary of mayors can also vary depending on the dedication they have to the position. If the mayor is part-time, his maximum salary is reduced according to the dedication percentage.
- Consistory powers: Although maximum limits are set by law, each city council can decide its own mayor’s salary.
- Interprofessional minimum wage: Although not a determining factor, the salary map of mayors in Spain shows that most municipalities have salaries below the 2023 minimum inter-professional wage (approx. 15,120 euros per year).
Mayors who earn the most
The top 30 mayors who earn the most in Spain include the mayors of municipalities such as Bilbao, Vitoria, Donostia, Getxo, Portugalete, Basauri, Mungia, Erandio and Barakaldo in the Basque Country, as well as the mayors of Pozuelo de Alarcón, Las Rozas, Móstoles and Alcobendas in Madrid. There are also municipalities in Andalusia, the Community of Valencia and Catalonia that have mayors with high salaries. It is top 5according to the data of each consistory:
- José Luis Martínez-Almeida: Mayor of Madrid, with a salary of 108,517.80 euros per year.
- Ada Colau: Mayor of Barcelona, with a salary of €96,304.00 per year.
- Juan María Aburto: Mayor of Bilbao, has a salary of 96,304.00 euros per year.
- Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco: Mayor of Almería 85,655.88 euros per year.
- Amaia Aguirre: Mayor of Getxo, with a salary of 96,304.00 euros per year.