Currency
Turkish Lira (TRY)
Capital
Ankara
Official language
Turkish
Salary Cycle
Monthly
Our Guide in Turkey
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Turkey Salary Insights for 2025: Key Cities and Job Market Trends
Understanding salary benchmarks across major Turkish cities is essential for professionals, employers, and global businesses planning to expand into the region. As of 2025, Turkey's labor market continues to evolve, influenced by inflation control measures, currency stability efforts, and growing demand in technology and manufacturing sectors.
Average and Minimum Wage Overview
The average annual income in Turkey stands at approximately 421,400 TRY (around $12,290 USD), reflecting a competitive yet cost-effective talent pool for international investors. Meanwhile, the legally mandated minimum wage is set at 204,024 TRY per year—equivalent to about $5,950 USD—providing a baseline for entry-level compensation across industries.
Top-Paying Roles Across Major Cities
Cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir are seeing rising salaries in leadership and technical roles, particularly within multinational corporations and export-driven industries. Below is a breakdown of key job positions and their average annual earnings in USD:
| Job Title | Position (English) | Average Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Director / Country Manager | Sales Director | $62,500 |
| Sales Manager / Key Account Manager | Sales Manager | $55,600 |
| Pre-Sales Engineer | Pre-sales Engineer | $21,400 |
| Operations Engineer | Operations Engineer | $24,200 |
| Software Development Engineer | Software Development Engineer | $46,300 |
| Operations Director / Operations Manager | Operations Director | $38,100 |
| Logistics Manager | Logistics Manager | $27,700 |
| Production Manager / Plant Supervisor | Production Manager | $20,500 |
| Quality Manager | Quality Manager | $31,400 |
| Customer Support / E-commerce Representative | Customer Service | $9,300 |
Regional Variations and Industry Demand
Istanbul remains the highest-paying city, especially for tech and executive roles, driven by its status as a financial and logistics hub. In contrast, industrial centers such as Bursa and Kocaeli show strong demand for production and quality management professionals, with salaries trending upward due to increased foreign investment.
The software development sector has seen a 12% year-on-year growth in hiring, with competitive packages often supplemented by remote work options and performance bonuses. Additionally, customer service roles, while lower on the pay scale, are increasingly being outsourced internationally, creating opportunities for scalable operations.
For companies looking to establish or expand operations in Turkey, leveraging local salary data ensures both compliance and competitiveness. Global HR solutions like SailGlobal offer end-to-end support for overseas employment, including payroll management, legal compliance, and cross-border hiring—helping businesses scale efficiently without setting up local entities.
Disclaimer
The information and opinions provided are for reference only and do not constitute legal, tax, or other professional advice. Sailglobal strives to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the content; however, due to potential changes in industry standards and legal regulations, Sailglobal cannot guarantee that the information is always fully up-to-date or accurate. Please carefully evaluate before making any decisions. Sailglobal shall not be held liable for any direct or indirect losses arising from the use of this content.Hire easily in Turkey
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