A young chemistry teacher from Catalonia has voiced concerns regarding the significant salary differences between various regions in Spain. In a video shared on the TikTok account of the human resources consultancy Talentmatch, he revealed that his monthly income as an educator in Catalonia is approximately 2,000 euros.
The teacher pointed out that salaries for educators in the Basque Country and Madrid are considerably higher than in Catalonia. According to the teaching sector data from UGT Servicios Públicos, teachers in the Basque Country earn the highest salaries, with a gross monthly income of 3,185.15 euros. Following closely are Ceuta and Melilla at 3,075.15 euros, and the Canary Islands at 3,059.32 euros, largely due to additional residency allowances available in these regions.
In contrast, the Community of Madrid ranks fourteenth on the salary scale, with teachers earning about 2,608.45 euros per month, placing it on the lower end of the spectrum. Catalonia”s teachers, earning a gross salary of 2,534.24 euros, are only slightly above Madrid, with a difference of 74.21 euros. The regions with the lowest salaries for vocational training teachers are Aragon and Asturias, at 2,504.92 euros and 2,433.76 euros, respectively.
Beyond the salary disparities, the Catalan teacher also provided his perspective on educational pathways following compulsory schooling. He suggested that students should consider enrolling in vocational training programs instead of pursuing the traditional baccalaureate. “I recommend doing a vocational course after finishing secondary education and then moving on to university. The baccalaureate is a bridge that doesn”t add much value,” he stated.
Recent statistics from the Ministry of Education”s report “Datos Avance 2024-2025” indicate a growing trend in vocational education, with 407,906 students enrolled in face-to-face middle-level vocational training courses in Spain. This reflects a 4.7% increase compared to the previous academic year. Conversely, the number of students in traditional baccalaureate programs reached 680,687, marking a 1.9% increase from the prior year.
