The salary of a sports doctor in Spain ranges from €24,000 for a junior doctor to €90,000 or more for an established professional working in elite sport or private practice. The sector average stands at around €36,000 gross per annum. Experience, the sector and the level of specialisation are the three factors that most significantly determine the difference between a modest salary and a highly competitive remuneration package.
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Table of Contents
What is a sports doctor and what exactly do they do?
How much does a sports doctor earn in Spain? The average figure
How much does a sports doctor earn depending on their experience?
How much does a sports doctor earn depending on the sector?
Other factors that determine a sports doctor’s salary
A sports doctor is a medical professional who specialises in the health, performance and injury prevention of people who take part in physical activity , ranging from amateur sportspeople to elite athletes.
Their work goes far beyond treating injuries on the pitch. Their main duties include:
This role involves working in a wide variety of settings: football, basketball, cycling and athletics clubs; specialist private clinics; hospitals; high-performance centres (CARs); sports federations; and also in the fields of education and applied research.
The average salary for a sports doctor in Spain is around €36,360 gross per annum, according to data from the job portal Jooble. However, this figure is merely a starting point that masks a very wide range.
At one end of the spectrum are junior professionals starting on around €23,000–24,,000 per year, and established professionals – particularly those working in elite sport or running their own private practice – who earn over €90,000 and even €100,000 per year.
To understand the true potential of this profession, we need to analyse the two factors that most influence remuneration: level of experience and sector of work.
Junior profile (0–3 years’ experience)
In the early years, sports doctors usually work in general private clinics, health centres or lower-division teams. The salary at this stage ranges from €23,000 to €35,000 gross per annum. Responsibilities centre on medical examinations, attending training sessions and matches, and supporting the coaching staff. This is the phase in which they build their professional profile and network of contacts.
Intermediate profile (3–7 years)
With established experience and, usually, specific postgraduate training, sports doctors can aim for roles at semi-professional clubs, specialist private clinics or high-performance centres. The salary ranges from €35,000 to €55,000 gross per annum. At this stage, the professional takes on greater autonomy and begins to participate in the coaching staff’s medical decision-making.
Senior profile (7+ years’ experience)
A sports physician with a solid track record, a proven reputation and advanced specialisation can access the best-paid roles in the sector. At Premier League clubs, large private clinics or as the head medical officer of a federation, earnings range from €55,000 to €90,000 per annum, and may exceed this in high-profile roles.
The field of work is arguably the factor that most influences a sports doctor’s salary. The table below provides a comparative overview:
| Sector | Approximate annual salary range |
| Public healthcare | €40,000 – €55,000 (+ on-call allowances) |
| General private practice | €28,000 – €50,000 |
| High-Performance Centres / Federations | €35,000 – €55,000 |
| Semi-professional clubs | €30,000 – €60,000 |
| First Division clubs (LaLiga) | €60,000 – €90,000+ |
| Established private practice (combined activity) | €80,000 – €120,000+ |
Public healthcare
Doctors practising in the public sector have their remuneration regulated by collective agreements. In this sector, a specialist can earn between €40,000 and €55,000 per year, plus allowances for on-call duty and special shifts. Job security and working conditions are the main advantages of this sector.
Professional sport: football and other leagues
Professional football offers some of the highest salaries in the sector. Sports doctors for Second Division teams (LaLiga Hypermotion) earn between €35,000 and €70,000 a year. Head medical officers at clubs with larger budgets can earn between €80,000 and €90,000. In the First Division (LaLiga EA Sports), particularly at clubs competing in the UEFA Champions League, the figures are considerably higher.
Beyond football, sports such as basketball (ACB), professional cycling (WorldTour) and elite tennis also offer opportunities with highly competitive salaries.
Private practice: the greatest earning potential
One of the avenues with the greatest financial potential is combining work at a club or institution with running one’s own private practice. Many clubs hire doctors on a contract basis, which allows them to combine this work with their own practice. A sports doctor with a good reputation who combines both activities can earn over €100,000 gross per year with several years’ experience.
Beyond experience and the sector, there are other factors that significantly influence remuneration:
To gain access to the most sought-after roles in the sector, the standard training pathway is:
The UAX Rafa Nadal University School, recognised in October 2026 with the Seven Stars of Sport Award as the first educational institution to receive this accolade, promotes a methodology that directly links advanced clinical practice with high-performance sport. Its Master’s in Sports Medicine (60 ECTS credits, blended learning) is led by a teaching staff comprising practising professionals in cardiology, orthopaedics and regenerative medicine applied to elite sport.
The salary of a sports doctor in Spain ranges from €24,000 per annum for someone with no experience to €90,000 or more in elite roles or those with an established private practice. The sector average stands at around €36,000 gross per annum, but specialisation, experience and the specific sector of work largely determine the actual earning potential.
Sports medicine is a discipline with growing prospects: the boom in amateur and elite sport, greater social awareness of injury prevention and the rising demand for specialised medical care make this field a career choice with a very solid professional and financial future.
How much does a sports doctor earn at a football club? In the Second Division (LaLiga Hypermotion), between €35,000 and €70,000 a year. Medical directors at clubs with larger budgets can earn over €80,000. In the First Division, the figures are considerably higher, particularly at clubs competing in Europe.
Do I need to complete the MIR to become a sports doctor? There is currently no specific MIR specialism in sports medicine in Spain. The usual route is a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, a residency in a related specialism and a Master’s degree in Sports Medicine to acquire the specific training required in this field.
Can a sports doctor run a private practice? Yes. In fact, many professionals combine their work at clubs or institutions with a private practice, which allows them to significantly increase their total income, exceeding €100,000 a year for the most established professionals.
How much does a sports doctor earn per month? The industry average puts the monthly salary at around €3,000 gross. However, those with greater experience and working in higher-paying sectors can earn between €6,000 and €7,500 per month.
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