Atatürk University guarantees that all faculty and staff receive compensation above the local living wage, ensuring financial security and social equity across the institution. Salaries are reviewed in line with government decrees, union recommendations, and regional living-cost indicators. The university’s policy applies to all categories of employment — academic, administrative, and support — and reflects its commitment to decent work and economic sustainability.
1. National and Local Living Wage Context
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In Türkiye, the official minimum wage for 2025 is ₺26,005.50 gross per month (₺22,104.67 net) as of January 2025, later adjusted to ₺31,206.60 gross after the July 2025 raise.
(Source: Cott Group, 2025)
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According to TÜRK-İŞ and independent labour research, the living-wage threshold for a family of four in 2025 is approximately ₺90,000 per month, reflecting the total cost of essential needs including food, housing, education, healthcare, and transportation.
(Source: Turkish Minute, 2025)
Atatürk University adopts this living-wage benchmark as its reference point and guarantees that no full-time employee earns below the equivalent living-wage threshold when base salary, allowances, and benefits are considered.
2. Institutional Policy and Review Mechanism
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Legal alignment: Salaries are determined under the Higher Education Law (2547) and Civil Servants Law (657), following national pay scales set by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Ministry of Treasury & Finance.
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Annual adjustment: All staff wages are reviewed semi-annually (January & July) to account for inflation and living-cost changes, ensuring parity with or above the national poverty line.
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Inclusive coverage: The living-wage standard applies to academic, technical, administrative, and contracted staff, ensuring no pay discrimination between employment categories.
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Supplementary benefits: Employees receive family, housing, transportation, and research allowances, further increasing their effective disposable income above the living-wage level.
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Monitoring: The university’s Strategy Development Department and Human Resources Directorate monitor compliance through payroll analysis and internal audits.
3. Academic Salary Levels (July 2025)
| Position / Grade | January 2025 Gross Salary (TL) | July 2025 Salary (TL) |
|---|---|---|
| Professor (1/4, 4-year term) | ₺93,313 | ₺111,975 |
| Professor (1/4) | ₺84,994 | ₺101,993 |
| Associate Professor (1/4) | ₺74,856 | ₺89,827 |
| Assistant Professor (4/1) | ₺66,254 | ₺79,505 |
| Research Assistant (7/1) | ₺60,816 | ₺72,979 |
* Figures exclude family, development, and academic performance allowances; these typically add 15–25 % to total income.
* Source: Official salary bulletin (Serdar Uğurlu, 2025) and Ministry of Treasury & Finance data.
4. Institutional Assurance
Even at entry-level academic ranks, total remuneration including allowances meets or exceeds the local living-wage threshold. In addition, all staff benefit from:
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Subsidized meals in university dining facilities,
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Free transportation services across the main and satellite campuses,
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Childcare and nursery support for staff families,
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Healthcare coverage through state and university-affiliated hospitals, and
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Development bonuses for research and publication performance.
These comprehensive benefits substantially reduce employees’ cost of living, ensuring effective income parity with — or above — living-wage standards.
