Spain’s construction sector is facing a severe shortage of skilled workers, which has already led to a noticeable rise in wages across the industry. For the country’s economy, this means not only a shift in the labor market balance, but also new opportunities for those considering technical professions as a path to stable income. As noted by InfoJobs and Esade, the staffing situation in construction has become one of the most discussed topics of 2025.
Average salaries for professionals employed in construction have confidently exceeded nationwide figures. For example, plumbing jobs offer around €27,500 a year, while general construction workers can expect nearly €28,600. Heavy equipment technicians can expect about €28,700. For comparison, the average salary across all vacancies on the InfoJobs platform in 2025 was €27,336. Overall, the real estate and construction sector offers about €31,400 per year, which is significantly higher than the national average.
Labor shortage
One of the key reasons for rising wages is the low competition for jobs. There are just 21 candidates per construction worker position and 26 applicants per plumber opening. In other industries, this figure is as high as 56 people for each vacancy. The shortage of qualified personnel makes experienced and trained workers especially valuable to employers. According to InfoJobs and Esade, the lack of new entrants and a shortage of young professionals with vocational training only worsens the problem.
In construction, most job openings do not require higher education: in 40% of cases, employers do not even insist on a diploma. However, the importance of vocational training is gradually increasing, especially for painters and technical specialists. Already, 11% of construction vacancies require a diploma of secondary vocational education, and among equipment technicians this figure reaches 65%.
Training challenges
The situation is further complicated by the fact that young people are in no rush to choose technical professions. Only 12.7% of Spanish students opt for industrial vocational training, leading to more than 100,000 unfilled positions in industry and construction. This is becoming a serious obstacle for the sector’s development, as without new talent companies are forced to compete for a limited workforce by raising salaries and offering better conditions.
Employers note that finding qualified employees is becoming increasingly difficult. More than half of companies surveyed by InfoJobs cited a lack of specialists and problems retaining staff as the main challenges. On top of this, low motivation and high absenteeism levels also affect business efficiency.
Technology and the future
The construction sector in Spain is slow to adopt digitalization and new technologies. Only 4.5% of companies use artificial intelligence, while in other industries this figure exceeds 12%. This means that a significant portion of workers will need to acquire new skills related to renewable energy and digital modeling (BIM) in the coming years.
An aging workforce and a shortage of specialists in new technologies make traditional trades even more in demand. Despite technological changes, manual labor and experience remain essential for the stable functioning of the sector. However, skill requirements are gradually shifting towards digital competencies and sustainable development.
Labour market and outlook
In 2025, 1,559,300 people were employed in construction, accounting for 7% of Spain’s total workforce. Unemployment in the sector dropped to 178,600, reflecting strong market activity. Nevertheless, employers continue to face difficulties even when recruiting for basic roles.
Wages in construction continue to rise, especially for those with technical qualifications. The average income under permanent contracts grew by 1% to reach €29,720 per year, exceeding the national average. Favorable economic conditions and low competition make construction jobs attractive for those seeking stable and well-paid employment.
In recent years, Spain has already faced similar challenges in other sectors, where a shortage of specialists led to higher salaries and changes in hiring practices. For example, industry and logistics also experienced a workforce deficit, prompting companies to invest in training and professional development for their employees. According to russpain.com analysis, similar trends could affect other fields if this pattern continues. As a result, the labor market is becoming more dynamic, and competition for qualified workers is intensifying.
