Technology salaries in Spain do not depend on employee skills. They depend on the type of company

European tech salaries are diverging, with compensation no longer primarily driven by employee skill but rather by the type of company. A recent analysis suggests that a senior tech professional in Spain can earn vastly different amounts, ranging from small traditional business rates to figures competitive with major global tech firms, solely based on their employer. This "trimodal" salary model indicates a significant stratification within the tech sector. This phenomenon stems from how companies position themselves within the compensation landscape; those competing with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) naturally offer lower salaries than large corporations that benchmark against international industry leaders. The analysis highlights three distinct, largely non-overlapping salary groups, reflecting divergent compensation strategies across the European tech industry. The implications are far-reaching, affecting not only individual career trajectories and earning potential but also the broader competitiveness of national tech talent pools. As European tech firms increasingly seek to attract and retain top engineering talent, understanding these market dynamics and adapting compensation strategies will be crucial for success in a rapidly evolving digital economy.