Country guide

Working in Greece: Job Market Guide 2026

Get the definitive guide to Greece's job market: essential insights on monthly average salaries (1,042 USD), employment trends and the economic factors that shape your income, plus the country's largest employers such as Hellenic Petroleum, Alpha Bank, Coca-Cola HBC.

  • Population10,423,056
  • Avg. monthly salary$1,042
  • Unemployment9.4%
  • Purchasing power60.9 (US = 100)

Welcome to your guide to the Greece job market. Finding the right job or candidate requires solid data. Here you will find key figures on employment, salaries and the economy to support your next career step or recruitment decision in Greece.

Job market overview

Key metricCurrent value
Total population10,423,056 residents
Employment rate49.6%
Unemployment rate9.4%Moderate to higher unemployment – strong, specific skills help you stand out.

With an unemployment rate of 9.4%, Greece has a more balanced labor market. Candidates should highlight specialized skills and experience.

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Living & working in Greece: salaries and cost of living

Before relocating or applying for jobs in Greece, consider these key economic factors:

IndicatorValueCompared with the U.S.
Average monthly salary 1,042 USD 23% of the U.S. averagesignificantly lower
Purchasing power 60.9 weaker (U.S. = 100)

With a purchasing power index of 60.9, the average monthly salary of 1,042 USD supports a budget-conscious lifestyle in Greece. Always compare an offer with local rents and living costs in the specific city.

Top industries & employers in GR

Leading industryAgriculture
Growth sectorShipping, Manufacturing
Service sectorTourism
Major employersHellenic Petroleum, Alpha Bank, Coca-Cola HBC

Job seekers will usually find the most openings in Agriculture, while Shipping, Manufacturing offers growth potential.

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Working in Greece – FAQ

What's the employment situation in Greece?

Greece has a population of about 10,423,056. The employment rate is 49.6%. The unemployment rate currently stands at 9.4%.

Which are the top companies in Greece?

Large employers in Greece include Hellenic Petroleum, Alpha Bank, Coca-Cola HBC.

How far does a salary go in Greece?

The purchasing power index for Greece is 60.9 (U.S. = 100), which means the cost of living should be weighed carefully when comparing job offers.

How can I find jobs in Greece?

Browse the latest international openings on Cityjobs and filter by country or remote work. Employers post directly, and you apply with the employer.

Which industries matter most in Greece?

Agriculture is the leading industry, while Shipping, Manufacturing is an important growth sector, alongside Tourism.

Data sources & methodology

The figures in this guide are compiled from these public sources:

We aim to update these figures regularly. Employment rates, exchange rates and salaries can change quickly, so please verify important figures with official local sources before making major decisions.
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Cities

Top cities and companies across Greece

25 cities
  • Athens 3,810,000 inhabitants

    CompaniesATEbank, Cosmote, Hellenic Telecom, Intracom, Vivartia

  • Thessaloniki 315,196 inhabitants

    CompaniesAristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Port Authority, Pharmathen, Kleemann, Helexpo

  • Heraklion 173,993 inhabitants

    CompaniesUniversity of Crete, FORTH, Creta Farm, Anemi, Knossos Archaeological Site

  • Patras 167,446 inhabitants

    CompaniesUniversity of Patras, Hellenic Open University, Carpos, Patras Science Park, Egnatia Odos

  • Larissa 144,651 inhabitants

    CompaniesAgricultural University of Athens, Alfa Pastry, Tyras, Olympus, Medical Center of Larissa

  • Volos 144,449 inhabitants

    CompaniesUniversity of Thessaly, Hellenic Steel Industry, Volos Port, Thessalia Railway, Elais Unilever Hellas

  • Chania 108,642 inhabitants

    CompaniesKydon Hotel, Creta Maris, Blue Palace, Cretan Daily Cruises, Chania Chamber of Commerce, ANEK Lines, Hellenic Petroleum, El Greco Hotel

  • Agrinio 94,516 inhabitants

    CompaniesAgrinio Olive Products, Aitoloakarnania Chamber of Commerce, Agrinio Farmers Union, Stratos Hydroelectric Plant, Olympia Oil, Agrinio Railwa…

  • Katerini 85,138 inhabitants

    CompaniesOlympus Riviera, Katerini Chamber of Commerce, Pieria Beach Resorts, Mediterranean Cosmos, Katerini Municipal Stadium, Poseidon Palace Hotel…

  • Kalamata 69,618 inhabitants

    CompaniesKalamata Olive Oil, Elite City Resort, Kalamata Airport, Westin Resort Costa Navarino, Kalamata Chamber of Commerce, Messinia Chamber, House…

  • Ioannina 65,874 inhabitants

    CompaniesUniversity of Ioannina, Dodoni SA, Mitsikeli, Epirus Cheese, Ioannina Chamber of Commerce, Lido Hotel, Ioannina Airport, Zosimea School

  • Trikala 61,653 inhabitants

    CompaniesTrikala Chamber of Commerce, Meteora Hotels, Trikala Municipal Development, Giant Foods, Zeta Group, Trikalinos Restaurant, Hotel Panellinio…

  • Chalkida 59,475 inhabitants

    CompaniesChalkida Chamber of Commerce, Avantis Estate Winery, Chalkida Port Authority, Lafarge Cement, Nea Artaki Fish Farms, Evripos Bridge, Chalkid…

  • Alexandroupoli 57,495 inhabitants

    CompaniesAlexandroupoli Port Authority, Dimokritos University Hospital, Alex Beach Hotel, Makri Archaeological Site, Alexandroupoli Airport, Hotel As…

  • Xanthi 56,046 inhabitants

    CompaniesXanthi Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Xanthi, Vistonida Lake, Xanthi Carnival, Nestos River Adventure Park, Anatolia College, Xanthi Tobacco…

  • Rethymno 55,799 inhabitants

    CompaniesFortezza Castle, University of Crete, Rethymno Port Authority, Rimondi Fountain, Hotel Mythos Suites, Creta Marine Hotel, Rethymno Chamber o…

  • Kavala 54,400 inhabitants

    CompaniesKavala Oil, Kavala Port Authority, Philippos Hotel, Kavala Chamber of Commerce, Kavala Tobacco Museum, Imaret Hotel, Kavala Hospital, Philip…

  • Lamia 52,740 inhabitants

    CompaniesLamia Chamber of Commerce, Thermopylae Archaeological Museum, Lamia Municipal Development, Fthiotida Dairy, Lamia Hospital, Hotel Samaras, T…

  • Florina 49,332 inhabitants

    CompaniesFlorina Chamber of Commerce, Pisoderi Ski Resort, Florina Railway Station, Nymfaio Bear Sanctuary, Florina Wines, Florina Archaeological Mus…

  • Drama 44,823 inhabitants

    CompaniesDrama Chamber of Commerce, Pavlidis Marble-Granite, Drama Wine Route, Agias Varvaras Park, Drama International Film Festival, Hotel Hydrama,…

  • Veria 43,219 inhabitants

    CompaniesVeria Chamber of Commerce, Apostle Paul's Tribune, Veria Technohub, Hotel Aiges Melathron, Veria Railway Station, Vergina Tombs, Veria Hospi…

  • Kastoria 37,162 inhabitants

    CompaniesKastoria Fur Cooperative, Dragon's Cave, Orestiada Lake, Kastoria Chamber of Commerce, Hotel Doltso, Dispilio Neolithic Settlement, Kastoria…

  • Giannitsa 29,344 inhabitants

    CompaniesGiannitsa Chamber of Commerce, Loudias River Fishing, Pella Archaeological Site, Kleanthis Vikelidis Hotel, Giannitsa Industrial Park, Giann…

  • Nafpaktos 19,568 inhabitants

    CompaniesNafpaktos Chamber of Commerce, Venetian Castle, Nafpaktos Marina, Hotel Nafpaktos, Rio-Antirrio Bridge, Nafpaktos Beach, Palaiopirgos Winery…

  • Sparti 16,638 inhabitants

    CompaniesSparti Olive Products, Sparti Chamber of Commerce, Archaeological Museum of Sparti, Hotel Dioskouri, Sparti Military Museum, Taygetos Mounta…

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