Average Salary in Turkey (2025)

Understanding the average salary in Turkey (2025) is crucial for job seekers, expats, and businesses planning investments in the Turkish market. Turkey’s economy is diverse, with industries like manufacturing, tourism, IT, and healthcare driving growth. However, wages in Turkey vary significantly depending on the city, sector, and level of experience.

In this guide, we’ll cover salary data, minimum wage in Turkey, salary trends 2025, industry comparisons, and the relationship between cost of living vs salary in Turkey.

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Average Salary in Turkey: An Overview

In 2025, the average salary in Turkey is approximately TRY 230,000 per year (around TRY 19,000 per month or USD 12,000 annually). However, real earnings vary widely across regions.

• Median Salary: TRY 200,000/year
• Top 10% Earners: Above TRY 450,000/year
• Entry-Level Workers: Around TRY 120,000–150,000/year

This positions Turkey below Western Europe in terms of income, but the cost of living is also significantly lower.

🔗 Looking beyond Turkey? Read about the Average Salary in Australia (2025).

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Industry-Wise Salary Breakdown in Turkey (2025)

• Technology & IT – TRY 300,000 to TRY 500,000/year
• Healthcare (Doctors & Nurses) – TRY 250,000 to TRY 400,000/year
• Engineering – TRY 220,000 to TRY 350,000/year
• Finance & Banking – TRY 280,000 to TRY 450,000/year
• Education – TRY 150,000 to TRY 220,000/year
• Hospitality & Tourism – TRY 100,000 to TRY 180,000/year

Compared to the average wage worldwide, Turkish salaries are lower, but living costs help balance affordability for locals and expats.

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Minimum Wage in Turkey (2025)

Turkey’s minimum wage 2025 is set at approximately TRY 20,000 per month (net), reflecting the government’s adjustment to inflation and living costs.

• Istanbul: Higher wages due to cost of living
• Ankara & Izmir: Slightly lower than Istanbul
• Rural areas: Significantly lower wages

This increase helps workers cope with Turkey’s rising inflation and living expenses.

🔗 Looking beyond Turkey? Read about the Average Salary in Indonesia (2025).

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Cost of Living vs Salary in Turkey

While salaries in Turkey are lower than in Western economies, the cost of living is also much more affordable. Housing, transport, and food expenses are significantly cheaper, though recent inflation has increased daily expenses.

For example:

• TRY 25,000/month in Istanbul feels similar to TRY 15,000/month in smaller cities.
• Expats earning foreign income but living in Turkey benefit greatly from favorable exchange rates.

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Salary Trends in Turkey (2025)

The salary trends in Turkey (2025) highlight growth in:

• Technology & Remote Work (IT & software development)
• Healthcare (nurses, doctors, medical specialists)
• Tourism & Hospitality (expanding after global travel recovery)

However, wages in retail and education remain under pressure despite rising costs.

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How Turkey Salaries Compare Globally

Compared to other countries, Turkey’s wages are:

• Lower than Western Europe and the USA
• Comparable to Eastern Europe (e.g., Romania, Bulgaria)
• Higher than some South Asian countries

👉 For a full comparison, visit our Average Salary Worldwide (2025) guide.

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Conclusion

In summary, the average salary in Turkey (2025) is around TRY 230,000 per year, with earnings strongly influenced by location, sector, and inflation. While salaries are modest compared to Europe or the USA, the lower cost of living in Turkey balances affordability.

For workers, expats, and businesses, understanding the balance between average wage in Turkey, minimum wage, and cost of living vs salary is key to financial planning.

👉 For a full comparison, visit our Average Salary Worldwide (2025) guide.