Spanish Jobs Where Speaking English Helps

A recent study has provided insights into the demand for English language skills within the Spanish labour market, highlighting the specific jobs, sectors, and regions where proficiency in English offers a distinct advantage.

Conducted by English Live, the study evaluates jobs based on their requirement for English language skills, utilizing data from over 10,000 job listings in Spain spanning from July to September 2023. Alvaro Ruiz, Vice President of Growth at English Live, articulated the study’s objective as follows: “The primary aim of this study was to analyze the occupations and regions where a strong command of the English language is most sought after, aiming to assist individuals aspiring to secure better positions, particularly those necessitating specific skillsets such as language proficiency.”

In general, professions associated with engineering, various sales roles, and the broader technology sector rank highest in terms of demanding proficiency in English. Engineers occupy the top spot on this list, representing one-tenth of all jobs featured in the survey.

To elucidate further, here are the top 25 job categories in Spain where English language skills are in high demand, along with the corresponding percentage of job advertisements requiring such skills:

Engineers (10.62%)
Sales Staff (7.22%)
Technicians (4.90%)
Administrative Staff (4.83%)
Marketers (4.07%)
Project Managers (3.70%)
Teachers (3.35%)
Developers (2.82%)
Customer Service (2.43%)
Waiters (2.25%)
Analysts (2.24%)
Technical Support Workers (2.21%)
Receptionists (1.96%)
Consultants (1.93%)
Financial Staff (1.84%)
Operations (1.52%)
Accountants (1.44%)
Human Resources (1.38%)
IT Personnel (1.38%)
Quality Assurance Managers (1.34%)
Shipping and Logistics (1.34%)
Agents (1.33%)
Software Engineers (1.33%)
Account Managers (1.20%)
Area Managers (1.08%)

The study reveals that engineering professions top the list, with one in ten job listings necessitating English proficiency. Notably, engineers who are fluent in English, especially those with mid-level or senior experience, are seven times more in demand than their non-English-speaking counterparts.

Sales staff rank second, with English language skills being three times more sought after for sales roles compared to receptionist positions.

In third place, technical professionals, akin to engineers, require a substantial level of English proficiency as international companies continue to establish a presence in Spain and expand their workforce.

Regarding sectors, the business, consulting, and management sector takes the lead, with over 14% of job listings requiring English knowledge. This sector, along with sales (also at 14%), accounts for nearly one-third of all analyzed positions (28%). Engineering (12%) and skilled trades (11%) follow as the third and fourth sectors with the highest demand for English skills.

Surprisingly, sectors traditionally associated with English proficiency, such as hospitality (6%), marketing (5%), and education (5%), display lower demand for English-speaking professionals in Spain.

On a regional level, Madrid and Catalonia emerge as the regions with the greatest demand for English speakers. Catalonia leads with 13.6% of high-level English job offers, closely followed by Madrid at 12.20%. The Basque Country and Andalusia each contribute over 10% of such job listings. The Valencian Community completes the top five, with 9.55% of high-demand English job offers. Together, these five regions account for a substantial 55% of job listings with a pronounced requirement for English language skills.

With the exception of Murcia, the entire eastern coast of Spain ranks within the top 10 regions in terms of demand for English-speaking professionals.

It is evident that the level of English required varies across different job sectors. Proficiency levels range from B2 to C2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The highest level, C2, is deemed essential in professions such as engineering, information technology, and business, owing to the influx of international companies into Spain.