AI drives demand for Data Engineers and Full Stack Developers as support profiles fall in Spain

Faced with a panorama of technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools, the demand for technical professionals linked to data and development, such as Data Engineer and Full Stack Developer, is experiencing high growth in Spain, in contrast to the more traditional roles of professionals linked to support and infrastructure, which are losing weight in the industry.

This is reflected in the ‘Tech Cities 2026’ study carried out by Expertis, ManpowerGroup’s technology firm, which analyzes the demand for professional profiles in the country’s IT field, and how it has evolved in a context in which AI tools and automation continue to evolve.

The study is framed at a time when the labor market continues to face a shortage of professionals, one of the biggest challenges in the technology sector currently, as pointed out by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which states that in Spain there are more than three technological job offers for every available professional.

This reveals a structural gap between the needs of companies and the talent available in Spain, a scenario that “conditions the capacity for growth and competitiveness of organizations”, as Expertis has assessed.

Taking this into account, the data also reflects that, after a few years of strong growth in all technological disciplines, with broad demand from companies, the market is now going through a phase of “greater moderation.”

Thus, compared to previous years, it has been identified that Spanish companies are demanding more profiles linked to data management, AI and the development of digital solutions, instead of betting on more traditional roles, linked to support and infrastructure. This denotes a non-homogeneous demand.

DATA ENGINEER AND FULL STACK AS THE MOST DEMANDED PROFILES

Among the profiles most sought after by companies, the role of Data Engineer stands out, which has experienced an increase in demand of 42 percent between 2023 and 2025, followed by the Full Stack Developer profile, with an increase of 28 percent in this same period and the Java Developer profile, which maintains a positive trend in recent years, with a growth of 6 percent.

In contrast, roles linked to support and infrastructure are losing weight, as is the case of the Computer Technician, who has registered a 20 percent drop in demand over the last three years and the Systems Administrator, who has dropped 7 percent.

According to Expertis, the growing commitment to data and development profiles is due to a need for organizations to “transform large volumes of data into strategic information that adds value to the business”, as well as developing complex applications. Likewise, they seek to respond to new technological challenges driven by digitalization and AI.

Therefore, given the general transformation of the labor market, caused by AI and the evolution of skills, the general director of Expertis Spain, Myriam Blázquez, has clarified that “it is not just about incorporating technology, but about redesigning roles, ways of working and leadership models.”

In this regard, he has assured that organizations that invest in continuous learning, in the development of human skills such as creativity or ethical judgment, and in the construction of hybrid teams prepared to coexist with AI, “will be the ones that make a difference in an increasingly competitive and uncertain environment.”

MADRID AND CATALONIA CONCENTRATE 76% OF TECHNOLOGICAL OFFERS

The report also reveals the strong territorial concentration that exists regarding the positions offered in technology.

In this regard, the main cities such as Madrid lead, which accumulates 51.7 percent of the published offers, followed by Catalonia with 24.4 percent. That is, both encompass 76 percent of the technological employment offer in Spain.

Faced with this, other regions such as Andalusia (8.12%) and the Valencian Community (7%), are left behind, reflecting a concentration that is not widely distributed throughout the country.

SALARIES REMAIN ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

On the other hand, the report also includes the situation of salaries in this sector, which continue to be above the national average in all Spanish regions.

An example of this is the case of Andalusia, where the salary difference exceeds 20,000 euros per year compared to the average. Similarly, the Basque Country stands out, recording the highest average technological salaries, with 44,553 euros per year.

Thus, among the best paid profiles, the study points to IT Architects, who reach 95,000 euros per year by accumulating more than seven years of experience, and DevOps Engineers, who have a remuneration of around 90,000 euros per year.

STOP THE LEAK OF TALENT

Finally, Expertis has reflected how the pressure of international competition “continues to favor the flight of talent.” This is due to a context in which markets such as Germany and France offer “notably higher” technological salaries and, therefore, prevent Spanish companies from competing to attract and retain key profiles.

Taking all this into account, the report concludes that, beyond salary conditions, the sustainability of talent will depend mainly on the ability of companies to offer good conditions, with “inclusive, diverse and equitable environments, where people find real opportunities for well-being and professional development.”