How Much Does a Foreign Trade Director Earn in Turkey?
According to ElemanBuldum.com data, the average monthly salary for a Foreign Trade Director in Turkey is approximately 175,727 TRY as of October 2025. Salaries for this position typically range from a low of 141,091 TRY to a high of 231,134 TRY. The final salary can vary depending on the employees years of experience, the company, and the city of employment.
The Foreign Trade Director salary is calculated and published based on salary information shared by job seekers in their resumes and salary figures specified by employers in job postings.
According to October 2025 data, a Foreign Trade Director earns an average monthly salary of 175,727 TRY (approximately $4,200 / €3,638).
0-2 Years Experience
108,951 TRY
2-5 Years Experience
175,727 TRY
5+ Years Experience
265,348 TRY
Foreign Trade Director Salary Distribution by Year
| Year | Lowest Salary | Average Salary | Highest Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 141,091.00 TRY | 175,727.00 TRY | 231,134.00 TRY |
| 2024 | 79,010.96 TRY | 98,407.12 TRY | 129,435.04 TRY |
| 2023 | 32,450.93 TRY | 40,417.21 TRY | 53,160.82 TRY |
| 2022 | 18,341.83 TRY | 22,844.51 TRY | 30,047.42 TRY |
| 2021 | 12,698.19 TRY | 15,815.43 TRY | 20,802.06 TRY |
Average Foreign Trade Director Salary Differences by City
Salaries for those working as a Foreign Trade Director can vary significantly in a large and diverse country like Turkey due to different living conditions and economic factors in each city. While salaries are expected to be higher in major metropolitan areas due to the high cost of living, there may be additional payments or incentives in regions experiencing a shortage of personnel.
| City / Region | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| İstanbul | 205,600.59 TRY |
| Ankara | 196,814.24 TRY |
| İzmir | 186,270.62 TRY |
| Kocaeli, Sakarya, Düzce, Bolu, Yalova | 179,241.54 TRY |
| Edirne, Kırklareli, Tekirdağ | 173,969.73 TRY |
| Trabzon, Ordu, Giresun, Rize, Artvin | 154,639.76 TRY |
| Bursa, Eskişehir, Bilecik | 142,338.87 TRY |
| Aydın, Denizli, Muğla | 152,882.49 TRY |
| Adana, Mersin | 163,426.11 TRY |
| Balıkesir, Çanakkale | 147,610.68 TRY |
| Antalya, Isparta, Burdur | 144,096.14 TRY |
Foreign Trade Director Salaries by Sector
This table shows the salary levels for those working as a Foreign Trade Director by sector. The salary level varies depending on factors such as the size of the sector, its emphasis on technological advancements, and the company's revenue, sales, export figures, and number of employees. Analyses from the last 3 months show that salaries increase in direct proportion to the company's size and revenue.
| Sector Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Banking and Finance: Commercial Banking, Investment Banking | 195,056.97 TRY |
| Technology: Electronics, Software, Hardware, Communication, Fintech | 212,629.67 TRY |
| Energy: Oil, Gas, Renewable Energy | 182,756.08 TRY |
| Automotive: Vehicle Manufacturing, Automotive Parts | 170,455.19 TRY |
| Pharmaceuticals: Drug Manufacturing, Biotechnology | 147,610.68 TRY |
| Chemicals: Industrial Chemicals, Plastics, Rubber | 144,096.14 TRY |
| Defense and Aerospace: Military Equipment, Aircraft Manufacturing | 221,416.02 TRY |
| Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing: Industrial Machines, Automation | 168,697.92 TRY |
| Construction and Real Estate: Infrastructure, Housing | 154,639.76 TRY |
| Food and Beverage: Packaged Food, Drinks, Meat and Dairy | 142,338.87 TRY |
| Textile and Apparel: Ready-to-wear, Fabric Production | 144,096.14 TRY |
| Retail: Food Retail, Electronics, Clothing Stores | 149,367.95 TRY |
| Logistics and Transportation: Shipping Services, Warehousing | 149,367.95 TRY |
| Agriculture: Crop Production, Livestock | 156,397.03 TRY |
| Restaurant and Food Services: Catering, Fast Food Chains | 147,610.68 TRY |
Frequently Asked Questions about Foreign Trade Director Salaries
What is the average salary for a Foreign Trade Director in Turkey?
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Foreign Trade Director is 175,727 TRY (approximately $4,200 / €3,638).
The salary ranges from a low of 141,091 TRY to a high of 231,134 TRY.
What factors affect a Foreign Trade Director's salary?
The main factors affecting the salary of a Foreign Trade Director are:
- Years of experience (0-2 years: 108,951 TRY, 5+ years: 265,348 TRY)
- The sector they work in (Technology sector: +21%, Agriculture sector: -19%)
- Company size
- Geographic location (Istanbul: +17%, Other Anatolian cities: -12%)
- Specific skills and certifications
How often are Foreign Trade Director salaries updated?
Our salary data is updated on a weekly basis. The last update was on: October 5, 2025
In the last month, 361 people have contributed to our database by sharing their salary information.
Which sectors pay the highest salaries for a Foreign Trade Director?
The top 3 highest-paying sectors for a Foreign Trade Director are:
- Defense and Aerospace: 221,416 TRY (+26%)
- Technology Sector: 212,630 TRY (+21%)
- Banking and Finance: 195,057 TRY (+11%)
How do Foreign Trade Director salaries change by city?
Average salary differences by city are:
- Istanbul: 205,601 TRY (+17%)
- Ankara: 196,814 TRY (+12%)
- Izmir: 186,271 TRY (+6%)
- Other cities: 149,368 TRY (-15%)