Overview of Georgia
Georgia is famous for its ancient cultural heritage and food. Although it is heavily influenced by Russian culture, it has faced many conflicts and mass emigration after becoming an independent state in 1991. The primary reasons for this are the poor quality of life and lack of employment opportunities. As a result, unlike most neighboring countries, the population in Georgia is declining. Demographers state that if the trend continues, the population might reduce to half in the next 40 years.
Population: 3,717,425 people (2024)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $100.94 billion (2024 estimate)
Languages Spoken
Georgian is the national language of Georgia and is also one of the oldest languages in the world. Most adults are fluent in English and Russian.
Economic Overview
Georgia’s currency is the Georgian lari (GEL). As per the current conversion rate, 1,000 GEL equals around 320 USD. The cost of living for one person is approximately USD 540/GEL 1,706, while the average salary is around USD 2137/GEL 6,750.
Industries
The major industries include aerospace, banking, technical services, health technology, manufacturing, and logistics. Most people rely on self-employment.
Internet Speed
Georgia ranks 64th globally for mobile speeds (average 39 Mbps) and 111th for fixed broadband speed (27.33 Mbps). However, digital penetration is relatively high, and almost all citizens use mobile phones. Decent digital infrastructure is undoubtedly helping remote workers to be efficient and productive.
To know more about hiring a remote employee in Georgia, book a demo with Skuad now.
Talent in Georgia
Georgia offers young, multi-lingual, and well-educated professionals. Self-employment is the primary source of income; most professionals explore remote work to earn more and have a better quality of life.
The capital Tbilisi and Batumi are the two most populous cities; both are also knowledge workers’ hubs. There’s a lot of talent available in various segments. The top skills in Georgia include:
- Information technology
- Accounting
- Finance
- Customer service
- Advertising and creative media
- Human resources
- Software development
- Mobile development
- Marketing
- Admit support
Top Skills by City
Tbilisi
Profiles
|
Top Skills
|
Web development
|
Web designing, web editing
user experience designing, user interface designing, full-stack development, Android development
|
IT services
|
Technical analysis, technical management, UNIX administration, web security, IT projects
|
Digital marketing
|
SEO, copywriting, social media handling
|
Translation and admin support
|
Translators, virtual assistance, project management, program consultant
|
Batumi
Profiles
|
Top Skills
|
Web development
|
Web designing,
user experience, user interface, full-stack development, Android development
|
Design and creatives
|
Video editing, illustrator, 2D animation, 3D animation, graphic designing
|
Digital marketing
|
Copywriting, SEO specialist, social media consultant, social media management, business development, promotions
|
Data science & analytics
|
Data extraction specialist, data entry operator, SQL developer, data analyst
|
When there’s so much to offer, it becomes tricky to hire the right set of people for your team. Skuad can help you find, hire, and manage excellent local talent and make expansion in Georgia a hassle-free task.
Top Remote Job Profiles in Georgia
The average hourly wage in Georgia is USD 12/GEL 40. Below are a few top remote profiles, along with starting hourly rates.
Remote Profiles
|
Jobs Available
|
Hourly Wage in USD
|
Hourly Wage in GEL
|
Data science and analytics
|
Data extraction specialist
|
30
|
95
|
Data analyst
|
20
|
63
|
SQL developer
|
25
|
79
|
D3.js expert
|
50
|
158
|
Accounting and consulting
|
Financial programmer
|
25
|
79
|
Business administrator
|
20
|
63
|
Financial manager
|
50
|
158
|
Business process manager
|
40
|
126
|
Accountant
|
25
|
79
|
Admin support and project management
|
Virtual administrative assistance
|
20
|
63
|
|
IT project manager
|
30
|
95
|
|
Product manager
|
50
|
158
|
Digital marketing and languages
|
Copywriter
|
25
|
79
|
|
SEO manager
|
30
|
95
|
|
Translator (Russian/English)
|
20
|
63
|
|
Social media manager
|
20
|
63
|
|
Translator (Georgian)
|
50
|
158
|
|
Business development representative
|
9
|
28
|
Customer service
|
Customer service specialist
|
15
|
47
|
|
Customer service manager
|
25
|
79
|
|
Data entry operator
|
10
|
32
|
Design and creatives
|
2D animation artist
|
30
|
95
|
|
Video editor
|
18
|
57
|
|
Graphic designer
|
30
|
95
|
|
Creative illustrator
|
20
|
63
|
|
Architect
|
20
|
63
|
IT service and software development
|
Full-stack software developer
|
30
|
95
|
|
Information security architect
|
20
|
63
|
|
Android security consultant
|
60
|
190
|
|
Web developer
|
40
|
126
|
|
Angular developer
|
25
|
79
|
|
SQL and BI developer
|
25
|
79
|
Hiring Cost
The hiring cost of remote employees can easily exceed your budget. Hence, organizations prefer seeking the expertise of EOR services such as Skuad. Let us take a look at the current hiring cost trends in Georgia.
Cost of Living and Rent in Georgia
- Cost of living in Georgia per person (without rent): USD 291/GEL 920
- Cost of living in Tbilisi per person (without rent): USD 305/GEL 964
- Average rent in Georgia (outside the city center): USD 195/GEL 616
- Average rent in Georgia (within city center): USD 300/GEL 948
Cost of Living and Rent by City in Georgia
City
|
Cost of Living in USD
|
Cost of Living in GEL
|
Average Rent in USD
|
Average Rent in GEL
|
Tbilisi
|
567
|
1,792
|
263
|
831
|
Batumi
|
530
|
1,675
|
249
|
787
|
Kutaisi
|
396
|
1,251
|
168
|
531
|
Rustavi
|
529
|
1,671
|
248
|
783
|
Sukhumi
|
500
|
1,580
|
255
|
806
|
Cost of Hiring an Employee in Georgia
As per the 2018 government data, the average monthly nominal salary is around USD 420/GEL 1,327; however, the actual hiring cost can climb up to USD 10,000/GEL 31,600 for highly skilled talent. Other factors, including training, taxes, and legalities, can further increase the hiring cost in Georgia. Skuad experts can help you handle global talent seamlessly. Get in touch with us to learn more!
Salary Structure for Various Roles in Georgia
Before we analyze the salary structure for popular remote job profiles offered by Georgia, here’s a quick comparison between monthly average salaries provided in Tbilisi and Batumi.
Average Monthly Salary Comparison By City
- Batumi: GEL 6,850/USD 2,200
- Tbilisi: GEL 7,380/USD 2,350
The highest average may go up to GEL 30,100/USD 9,600. The average annual increment across industries is in the range of 2% to 8%. For example, professionals in the IT industry usually get a 6% yearly increment in Georgia.
The data below provides the average monthly salary, including housing cost, transport cost, and other employee benefits.
IT Services and Software Development
- Network engineer: USD 1,700/GEL 5,320
- IT manager: USD 3,386/GEL 10,600
- Web developer/programmer: USD 2,000/GEL 6,270
- Database administrator: USD 2,030/GEL 6,350
- Game developer: USD 1,825/GEL 5,710
- Full stack developer: USD 2,075/GEL 6,500
- User experience consultant: USD 1,625/GEL 6,690
- Front end developer: USD 2,155/GEL 5,090
- IOS developer: USD 2,155/GEL 6,750
Language (Georgian/Russian/English)
- Teachers: USD 1,565/GEL 4,900
- Translators: USD 1,810/GEL 5,670
Accounts and Business Planning
- Business development manager: USD 3,172/GEL 9,930
- Project manager: USD 2,400/GEL 7,530
- Business analyst: USD 2,660/GEL 8,330
- Accountant: USD 1,418/GEL 4,440
Design and Creatives
- Advertising coordinator: USD 1,632/GEL 5,110
- Animator: USD 1,540/GEL 4,820
- Social media executive: USD 2,675/GEL 8,370
- Graphic designer: USD 1,270/GEL 3,970
Architecture
- Architect: USD 2,565/GEL 8,030
- Architecture consultant: USD 3,386/GEL 10,600
- CAD drafter: USD 1,000/GEL 3,150 GEL
Human Resource
- Compensation analyst: USD 1,650/GEL 5,170
- Employee communications manager: USD 2,265/GEL 7,090
- Human resource generalist: USD 1,730/GEL 5,420
Employment Laws in Georgia
Georgia has comparatively flexible labor legislation. As a result, the country’s ranking is 21 in the global Labor Freedom Index. Below are some key points:
Minimum Wage
There is no provision for minimum wage. It entirely depends upon the employer and employees’ agreement.
Working Hours
The maximum duration of working hours per week should not exceed 40 hours. Employers can define different shifts for employees. However, there should be at least one 12-hour break between the next working period.
Overtime
Overtime is permitted; however, the employer must pay more than the regular payments as agreed upon in the work contract.
Holidays and Leaves
Employees in Georgia are entitled to take 24 paid and 15 days of unpaid leaves in a year. In addition, there are 15 national and religious holidays.
Although the labor legislation in Georgia is more straightforward than in other countries, handling international legalities and taxation requires expertise. Skuad’s EOR solutions for Georgia can help expand your business while adhering to the tax legislation, labor laws, and contracts.
Georgia Remote Hiring Trends 2024
Increase in remote work
In 2022, Georgia had one of the highest self-employment rates in the world, with over 52% of the population working independently. Georgia has an internet penetration rate of over 72%, as many citizens have access to working internet and their own laptops. Many Georgians look to remote contractor jobs from international companies to earn higher wages while enjoying the lower living costs in their home country, increasing their overall quality of life.
Cost of hiring in Georgia
International companies are looking to hire in Georgia to reduce employee costs while providing impactful opportunities. The average salary in Georgia is 6,750 GEL per month, about $2,420. Many tech companies hire contractors in Georgia to reduce costs while maintaining an excellent quality of work. For example, an IT manager in Georgia earns on average $6,884 per month, while the same role in the United States typically earns $7,445 per month.
In-demand industries in Georgia
Hiring trends in Georgia reveal a wide variety of in-demand jobs. In 2024, many companies hire employees in Georgia within these industries:
- Information technology (IT)
- Marketing and advertising
- Sales
- Finance
- Business development
- Architecture
- Customer service
- Software development
- Human resources
- Mobile development
- Creative media
The top companies hiring in Georgia are:
- Amazon
- EY
- Deloitte
- PwC
- EPAM Systems
- IBM
- RSM
Many international technology companies have office locations in Georgia, with an attractive corporate tax rate of 5% and low income taxes here.
Rise in digital nomads
Georgia, specifically its capital of Tbilisi, has become a haven for digital nomads since the government implemented the digital nomad program " Remotely from Georgia" to make it easier for foreigners to work there. In Georgia, remote workers from 95 countries can now stay there for up to a year — with no visa — if approved for this program. Over 2,700 foreigners currently work in Georgia under this program.
In Tbilisi, there are dozens of co-working spaces and cafes that have speedy internet for remote workers. Digital nomads enjoy the unique offerings of the capital while often drastically reducing their costs of living. This program also benefits Georgia with tax revenue from foreign income tax that helps boost the economy.
Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War
The war in neighboring Ukraine has undoubtedly affected life in Georgia. In terms of the workforce, 80,000 Russians, Belarusians, and Ukrainians have moved to Georgia since the start of the invasion. Of that number, 20,000 to 25,000 work in IT and software in Georgia.
How Can Skuad Help You in Hiring in Georgia?
Skuad provides a global employment platform for employers looking to hire the best remote talent and expand their businesses across the globe. The digital EOR platform takes care of all critical aspects such as hiring talent, onboarding, global digital contracts, managing payroll, compliance, and tax filing. We have a dedicated team of experts working for you across time zones and delivering excellent results. This allows you to focus on the business side of things without worrying about the detailed and complex hiring process. For more information, connect with a Skuad expert and book a demo.