In the tourism ecosystem of the Canary Islands, Greece, and Turkey, the salaries of those working in hotels, restaurants, and other related services vary greatly, influenced by the cost of living and working conditions in each country. This comparison shows not only how much one earns, but also how much one can live on that income, a particularly relevant issue in seasonal sectors with high staff turnover.
In the Canary Islands, the average gross salary in the tourism sector stood at €24.215 per year in 2024, or approximately €2.017 gross per month, according to InfoJobs data collected by Europa Press. Despite having increased by 2% compared to the previous year, this figure remains 11% below the national average salary. The problem is exacerbated by the rising cost of living: according to Tinsa, housing prices in the Canary Islands rose by 7,1% in 2024, reaching €1.678/m². Furthermore, only 69 rental properties were found for less than €600 across the entire archipelago, according to Cadena SER data in April 2025.
In Greece, tourism salaries are more variable and depend on the type of work and years of service. According to statements by labor consultant Karouzos and figures reported by the Greek press, a basic worker (such as a maid or cleaner), without allowances, earns between €936 and €1.127 per month if single, or between €1.030 and €1.239 if married and receiving marriage benefits (+10%). If allowances for tourism training, unhealthy work, seasonal employment, or accommodation are added, salaries rise to between €1.422 and €1.679, and can reach up to €1.711 for experienced receptionists and specialized cooks.
Unlike in Spain, in Greece it's common for employers to offer room and board as part of the contract, which significantly improves living conditions. According to LivingCost.net , the average monthly cost of living in Greece for a single person, excluding rent, is €637, and in cities like Athens, renting a room in a shared apartment costs around €156 per month, according to TheLivingIndex.com . This allows even workers with modest salaries to maintain a decent standard of living.
In Turkey, the situation is very different. The minimum wage is around 5.500 Turkish lira, about €265 per month as of April 2025. Salaries in the tourism sector may be slightly higher, but they are still low compared to European standards. However, the country compensates for this with an extremely low cost of living. According to LivingCost.net , monthly expenses in Turkey for a single person, excluding rent, are 11.830 Turkish lira (approximately €580), although for more frugal individuals, such as students, it can be reduced to less than €45 per month, according to TheLivingIndex.com.
In cities like Ankara, renting a room in a shared apartment costs just 535 Turkish lira (around €26). Furthermore, Expatistan.com estimates that living in Turkey is 21% cheaper than in Spain, which means that, despite lower salaries, purchasing power isn't as severely compromised, especially for workers without dependents or those living in more affordable areas.
In short, the Canary Islands offer higher salaries in absolute terms, but with a cost of living that considerably erodes purchasing power. Greece, on the other hand, achieves a balance thanks to salary supplements and benefits such as accommodation, which make life attractive for tourism employees. Turkey remains a more viable option for those looking to save on basic expenses, although at the cost of much lower salaries. As Karouzos explains from Greece: "It starts at the bottom, if we go to the lower tier, but can go up to 1.700 euros for a receptionist or specialized cook."
