Senior associates and directors continue to lead salary increases

According to the conclusions of the 21st edition of the Comparative Analysis of Remuneration in Law Firms in Spain, prepared by Signium in collaboration with Francisco de Vitoria University: 2025 shows a new generalised increase in total remuneration in all types of firms analysed, consolidating the upward trend that began in previous years.

The presentation of the comparative analysis will be led by María Goenechea Domínguez, director of the UFV Double Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession and Solicitorship and Master’s Degree in Legal Advice and Tax Advice, and Ignacio Bao, Emeritus Chairman of the Board and managing partner for Spain and Portugal at Signium. Carlos Alberola, partner at Signium, will then present the results of the study.

International firms lead the way in salary increases

The most significant increases are once again concentrated in international law firms, followed by national firms and, to a lesser extent, the Big 4, while Spanish legal boutiques are experiencing more moderate growth, although positive in most categories. Analysis of the salary structure shows that both fixed and variable remuneration are increasing at virtually all levels of experience. The growth is particularly marked in the most senior categories, particularly Senior Associate and Director, where the weight of variable remuneration continues to gain relevance within the total remuneration package.

Homogeneous salary increase

Compared to 2024, the salary increases for 2025 are more homogeneous across categories, although they remain more modest at the initial levels of the professional career. Interns and junior profiles see moderate increases, while the intermediate and senior categories see the largest adjustments, in line with strategies to retain more experienced talent. International firms remain the leaders in terms of remuneration, both in fixed salary and total compensation, followed by national firms, while the Big 4 continue to apply prudent but sustained growth policies.

The salary for paralegals is expected to remain stable in 2025, with slight adjustments reflecting the consolidation of this role within law firm structures. This is an increasingly recognised and strategic position, whose growth has stabilised after increases in previous years.

As for interns on the Master’s Degree in Access to the Legal Profession, the trend of previous years continues: international law firms continue to offer the most competitive financial conditions, followed by national firms and the Big 4. Legal boutiques are also making improvements aimed at attracting young talent, although their remuneration levels remain below those of other types of law firms.

Non-monetary remuneration

With regard to non-monetary remuneration, the scenario remains stable and consolidated. The most widespread benefits continue to be medical and life insurance, together with training and professional development plans. Work-life balance policies continue to play an important role in employee value propositions, although teleworking has become more normalised compared to previous years, with hybrid models and flexible working hours becoming more prominent.

Overall, the 2025 results reflect a mature remuneration market, with sustained salary increases, clear differentiation by type of firm and a growing focus on retaining senior talent, while maintaining specific strategies for attracting young profiles. “The sector continues to perform well in 2025, although increases are more moderate than in previous years. We can assure you that the legal sector in Spain continues to enjoy good health with a more than positive salary trend. National and international firms continue to clearly commit to the local market. The Spanish legal sector has a healthy competitive structure, which is reflected in the study, where talent is as sought after as it is in large transactions,” concludes Carlos Alberola, Partner at Signium.

About the study

The document reflects the current market situation in terms of remuneration for lawyers working in the main law firms in Spain, analysing the salary bands for the different professional categories and comparing them with the same data from previous years.

The study took into account both national and international law firms and the Tax & Legal divisions of the Big Four. It also included legal boutiques with between 20 and 50 professionals.

This represents a study covering more than 7,000 professionals. The data corresponds to remuneration for the categories of Intern, Junior, Associate, Senior Associate and Director. Once again, the study includes comparative results for monetary remuneration, but also includes elements of non-monetary remuneration (meal vouchers, childcare vouchers, medical insurance, life insurance, mobile phone, language classes, parking, housing rental, gym membership, training, etc.).