Pay on the islands is up to 91% higher than in major urban centres, experience brings substantial salary gains, and demand for technical roles is rising, according to a study by Chrysi Efkairia. Its analysis of 31,631 job ads highlights opportunities for higher pay, as well as the limited scope for remote work in Greece.
Higher pay on the islands, even for year-round work
On the islands of the Ionian, the Cyclades and the Dodecanese, the pay on offer is 47% to 91% higher than in major urban centres, according to the study, which covers the period from January 2025 to July 2026.
Notably, almost nine in 10 job ads are for non-seasonal positions. Higher pay is therefore not confined to tourism and food service, but also applies to office workers, tradespeople, drivers and sales staff.
The figures highlight the difficulties island businesses face in attracting and retaining workers throughout the year, as well as the opportunities available to those willing to relocate for work.
Shipping and technical roles among the highest-paid
Among sectors, shipping has the largest premium over the market average, with pay on offer 82% higher.
It is followed by food service, technical occupations, IT, and the arts and media, where pay is 14% above the average.
In tourism, transport and logistics, as well as science and research, the premium is 9%. In management and marketing, it is just 5%.
The figures show that the best pay is not limited to jobs requiring a university education: technical roles also offer significant scope for salary growth.
At the same time, food service remains one of Greece’s biggest employers. More than 18,600 job ads in the sector were published during the final 18 months of the period covered by the analysis.
Experience can lift pay by up to 40%
Professional experience plays a decisive role in determining pay. According to the study, pay differences compared with entry-level positions are as follows:
1–2 years’ experience: 10% increase.
5–10 years: 40% increase.
The largest difference is for workers with five to 10 years’ experience, highlighting the importance of practical experience and professional skills in determining pay.
German offers a pay advantage
Knowledge of foreign languages does not always translate into higher pay. Although English remains the most sought-after language, it is now regarded as a basic requirement for many jobs and does not bring an additional pay premium.
The picture is different for German: jobs requiring the language offer pay 27% above the market average. The advantage is most evident in customer service and technical support roles.
Remote work available for just over 5% of jobs
Despite the changes the pandemic brought to the way work is organised, in-person work continues to dominate the Greek labour market.
Jobs offering remote or hybrid work account for just over 5% of ads across the wider range of occupations, excluding purely technology roles, where remote work is more common.
From customer service and sales to administrative roles, in-person work remains the norm. This reflects the decline in remote work since its peak in 2021, although its use remains above pre-pandemic levels.
What the study shows about the labour market
Chrysi Efkairia’s analysis is based on 31,631 job ads listing pay, covering 206 occupations across 19 sectors of the Greek economy from January 2025 to July 2026.
The findings highlight significant differences in pay on offer depending on location, experience and occupation. They also show that opportunities for higher salaries extend beyond traditional highly skilled professions, while remote work remains a limited option for most workers.
AMNA