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What salaries in Greece actually are
Greek pay is low by Northern European standards and the averages hide wide variation by sector and region. One structural quirk distorts almost every comparison you will read: Greek salaries are paid over fourteen instalments, not twelve.
Last verified 12 September 2026 · 1 day ago · checked by spec-import Every figure on this page was checked against its source on this date.
Average pay
Reported averages across several measures, which disagree because they cover different populations. The private-sector figure from ERGANI and the all-sector range are the two most often quoted.
| Item | 2026 figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Average gross monthly salary, private sector (ERGANI) | €1,363 | — |
| Average gross monthly salary, all sectors | €1,350–€1,450 | — |
| Average net monthly salary | €950–€1,050 | — |
Figures are drawn from the shared dataset. Open any figure elsewhere on this page to see its source and verification date, or read how we verify.
By sector
Indicative gross pay in the sectors that most often recruit foreign nationals. Bands within each sector are wide — a junior nurse and a consultant sit far apart inside the same average.
| Item | Gross | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IT sector, average gross monthly salary | €2,250 | Roughly €40,000 a year. |
| Healthcare, average gross annual salary | €45,000 | Wide band. A junior nurse and a consultant are far apart. |
| Sales and marketing, average gross annual salary | €30,000 | Sales and marketing |
Figures are drawn from the shared dataset. Open any figure elsewhere on this page to see its source and verification date, or read how we verify.
The labour market, honestly
Unemployment is around Unemployment rate Youth unemployment rate9.5% — source and verification date
17.6% — source and verification date
Sectors actively recruiting foreign talent:
- Business process outsourcing and multilingual customer experience
- Technology — software, data, cloud, cybersecurity, fintech
- Tourism and hospitality
- Healthcare — doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, carers
- Construction, agriculture, logistics and shipping
- Renewable energy
Gross is not net
EFKA social security contributions come off before income tax, and the employer pays a
further share on top that never shows on your payslip. Contributions above the monthly
earnings cap of EFKA monthly earnings cap Earnings above this ceiling attract no further contributions.€7,761.94 a month — source and verification date
We have flagged the exact employee contribution rate as unverified because sources report it differently. Rather than pick one, use the calculator, which shows the assumption it is applying and lets you see the effect of the 50% inbound worker exemption alongside it.
Where the geography matters
Attica pays the most. Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia sit above the national average. Rural regions pay least. Island tourism can pay well above average in season — the caveat being that the season ends and winter work does not replace it. The region profiles say which places have a year-round economy and which do not.
Questions people actually ask
What is the 14-salary system?
Private-sector employees in Greece typically receive fourteen payments a year: twelve monthly salaries plus Christmas, Easter and holiday bonuses. Any comparison of a Greek salary against another country's that ignores this understates Greek pay by roughly a sixth. When you see a Greek monthly figure, ask which basis it is on.
Which sectors pay best for foreigners?
Technology, and multilingual customer support. The language premium is the most actionable fact in the Greek job market: fluent German, Dutch, French and Nordic-language speakers command noticeably higher starting salaries and signing bonuses in the outsourcing sector, and relocation packages are common. A native German speaker with no special technical skills often earns more in Greek BPO than a local graduate.
Where geographically does pay differ?
Attica pays the most. Thessaloniki and Central Macedonia sit above the national average on the strength of tech, logistics and universities. Rural regions dependent on agriculture, tourism and public employment pay least. Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes and parts of Crete can pay well above average during the season, with the obvious caveat that the season ends.
How big is the gap between gross and net?
Larger than newcomers expect. EFKA social security comes off before income tax, and the employer pays a further share on top that never appears on your payslip. We have flagged the exact employee rate as unverified because sources disagree, but budget for a meaningful deduction. Use the net salary calculator rather than a rule of thumb.
Is the job market good?
Unemployment is around 9.5%, down substantially from the crisis years, and Greece is reported to face over 100,000 unfilled vacancies a year driven by demographics and skills shortages. Youth unemployment remains high at 17.6%. It is a better market than its reputation, and a worse one than the vacancy headline suggests.
Can I negotiate?
More than in a Greek-market role, if you bring a language or a skill that is genuinely scarce. Less than you might in London or Berlin, because the underlying wage structure is lower and employers know their local competition. Signing bonuses and relocation support are often easier to obtain than base salary.