Jobs and Salaries in Turkey

Are you considering a career opportunity in Turkey? Are you interested in gaining insights into the salary landscape in this vibrant country? Embarking on a professional journey in Turkey may seem like a challenging endeavor when you lack knowledge about the local job market and income expectations. To kickstart your job search with confidence, this article provides valuable information on some of the most user-friendly websites for job hunting in Turkey. With these resources at your disposal, you'll be on the path to securing meaningful employment in Turkey in no time.

Salaries in Turkey

As of July 2023, Turkey's minimum monthly wage stands at 11,402 Turkish Lira, equivalent to approximately USD 423. For individuals in more senior positions like directors, the average monthly salary, as reported by Glassdoor, reaches an impressive 120,000 Turkish Lira, which translates to around USD 4,461.

The average monthly earnings in Turkey typically revolve around 11,400 TL, with a majority of workers receiving a net income of 8,506 TL, equivalent to approximately 316 USD. Notably, some of the top-performing sectors in terms of monthly salaries include Information and Communications, with an average income of 100,467 TL, and Finance and Insurance, where the average monthly wage reaches 95,314 TL.

How to look for a job in Turkey?

If you're on the hunt for job opportunities in Turkey, there are several excellent websites at your disposal. Among the top five websites catering to job seekers in Turkey are kariyer.net, indeed.com, LinkedIn, eleman.net, and yenibiris.com. When it comes to the top spot, Kariyer reigns supreme. This platform allows you to browse job listings by city, sector, and department, making it the ideal starting point for your job search in Turkey, thanks to its comprehensive array of listings and user-friendly features.

LinkedIn, the globally recognized professional networking platform, enjoys widespread popularity in Turkey as well. Its user-friendly interface makes it a breeze to navigate, and it offers employers the opportunity to post job openings. To enhance your prospects of securing a career in Turkey, it's also advisable to tap into your local networks and explore industries of interest directly. These additional steps can further bolster your chances of finding the perfect career opportunity in the country.

Jobs in Turkey: what to expect

Non-Turkish speakers among the foreign community often discover employment opportunities in Turkey within specific sectors. These sectors include education, tourism, roles in editing and writing, import/export sales specialists, childcare, and the healthcare industry. Moreover, it's not uncommon for individuals to transition from international corporations and organizations, thereby maintaining the higher income levels they enjoyed in their home countries.

In Turkey, as in many countries, larger urban centers tend to offer a broader array of employment opportunities. Istanbul, the nation's economic hub, stands out prominently in this regard. However, it's worth noting that cities such as Ankara, Gaziantep, and numerous coastal towns also present favorable employment prospects, making them attractive destinations for job seekers.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), in April 2022, the unemployment rate was 11.3%. Broad unemployment is currently at 21.7%

Banned professions for foreigners in Turkey

Unless you are a foreigner of Turkish origin, the following occupations are not open to foreign hire:

-Medical field: dentistry, midwife, nursing

-Pharmacists

-Veterinary Medicine

-Hospital directors

-Advocacy

-Notary Public

-Judges

-Customs Brokerage

-Security officers in public or private settings

-Photography

-Barber 

-Janitor

-Stock market brokerage 

-Tourism Guide

-Chauffeur

-Maritime professions: captain, piloting and carrying passengers, diving and foraging for pearls, mussels, sponges, oysters, fish, etc., engineering, clerk, and crew

What jobs can foreigners do in Turkey?

For foreign professionals equipped with the appropriate language proficiency, educational qualifications, and work experience, a wide spectrum of career paths becomes accessible in Turkey. It's important to note that, under Turkish law, there is a stipulation that mandates a minimum of five Turkish citizens for every foreign hire within any workplace. This regulation is crucial to bear in mind when pursuing employment opportunities in the country.

Language requirements for jobs in Turkey

Proficiency in the Turkish language can significantly enhance your prospects when job hunting in Turkey, making it an invaluable asset. Job seekers are encouraged to consider enrolling in basic Turkish language courses, as this not only facilitates smoother interactions with colleagues but also aids in understanding the local culture. Across Turkey, you'll find numerous Turkish language schools that offer lessons tailored to both groups and individuals. These classes can be conveniently scheduled to accommodate the student's specific needs, and many institutions even provide online options for added flexibility. Some noteworthy language schools in Turkey include Magic Talk Academy, Royal Turkish Schools Istanbul, and Concept Language and Turkish Language Center.

It's important to highlight that a working knowledge of Turkish is often a prerequisite for most job positions in Turkey. Additionally, proficiency in other languages, such as English, Russian, Arabic, and German, is also highly valued and in demand within various industries across the country.