Hey everyone! For those of you who’ve just arrived in Spain to study, you might be wondering if it’s possible to pick up a side hustle and earn some extra cash. Today, we’re diving deep into the salary situation for university students in Spain, covering both internships and part-time jobs to give you a realistic overview!
Internships vs. Part-Time Jobs: A Big Difference in Pay
First, it’s crucial to distinguish between two concepts: internships and part-time jobs. Their pay and work nature are quite different.
Internships
The first job most students encounter is often an internship arranged through their university. To be honest, the pay for internships at many Spanish companies is not high, and many are even unpaid! They often call it a “study grant” (ayuda al estudio), which typically ranges from 300 to 600 euros per month—just enough to cover your rent. Don’t expect to get rich from an internship; that’s just not going to happen. The real value of an internship lies in gaining valuable local work experience and building a strong CV, which is crucial for students who want to find a job in Spain after graduation.
Part-Time Jobs
If your main goal is to earn money, then a part-time job is the better option. Part-time work is paid by the hour, and since Spain’s minimum wage is on the rise, the hourly rate for a regular part-time job is generally decent. This means the average university student salary in Spain from a legitimate part-time job won’t be too low. Depending on the city and the type of work, you can expect an hourly wage of around 8 to 12 euros. I’ve put together a table of common part-time jobs and their typical hourly wages for you to check out:
| Common Part-Time Jobs | Approx. Hourly Wage (€) |
|---|
| Waiter/Bartender | 9 - 11 |
| Retail Assistant/Cashier | 9 - 12 |
| Chinese/English Tutor | 12 - 20+ |
| Delivery Rider | Paid per order, avg. around 10 |
| Event/Exhibition Staff | 10 - 15 |
As you can see, leveraging our language skills as a tutor can be quite lucrative. If you have special skills like programming or design, your income can be even higher. This puts student earnings in perspective when you consider something like a university lecturer’s salary in Spain.
Finally, it’s worth noting that big cities like Madrid and Barcelona offer more job opportunities and relatively higher wages, but they also come with a higher cost of living. Smaller cities have fewer opportunities but less financial pressure. The choice ultimately depends on your personal plan. In summary, achieving financial independence through student jobs in Spain is challenging, but earning enough for living expenses and travel is definitely possible.
Hope this information is helpful! Seniors with experience are welcome to add their insights and share their stories in the comments below
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