Education level significantly impacts earnings in Türkiye

This report provides a comprehensive overview of earnings based on gender, education, and sector.

In November 2023, the gross monthly minimum wage was 13,414.5 TRY. The monthly average gross wage-salaries for all employees stood at 23,789 TRY, with male employees earning an average of 24,011 TRY and female employees 23,344 TRY. The monthly average gross earnings were slightly higher at 26,402 TRY, with male employees earning 26,638 TRY and female employees 25,931 TRY. Monthly paid hours averaged 200, with male employees working 205 hours and female employees 190 hours.

The hourly average gross wage-salaries were 119 TRY in total, with male employees earning 117 TRY per hour and female employees earning 123 TRY per hour. The annual average gross earnings for 2023 were 305,784 TRY, with male employees earning 314,242 TRY and female employees earning 289,720 TRY.

Earnings increased with higher educational attainment. Employees with higher education had the highest annual average gross earnings, with males earning 431,364 TRY and females 354,149 TRY. The highest gross earnings were observed in the financial and insurance activities sector at 640,739 TRY annually, followed by the information and communication sector at 605,317 TRY.

The lowest annual average gross earnings were in the accommodation and food service activities sector at 213,518 TRY. Notably, female employees in the transportation and storage sector and the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector earned more than their male counterparts.

Managers had the highest annual average gross earnings at 538,530 TRY, followed by professionals at 409,767 TRY. The lowest earnings were among skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers at 202,809 TRY.

The gender pay gap favored male employees across all education levels and occupation groups. The highest gap was 20% for high school graduates, and the lowest was 14.9% for primary school graduates. In terms of occupation, the highest pay gap was 23.5% for craft and related trades workers, while managers had the smallest gap at 2%. (ILKHA)