Can zakat be given to those who earn their living through a salary or wage?

In Islam, the eligibility for receiving zakat and fitrah is determined regardless of a person's profession. Accordingly, zakat may be given to individuals who, despite having a regular income, are unable to meet their basic needs with that income, or who, after covering their essential needs, do not possess 80.18 grams of gold or equivalent wealth. It does not matter whether these individuals are salaried employees, civil servants, tradespeople, or unemployed. However, since there are scholars who hold the view that zakat should not be given to those who, even if they do not own such an amount of wealth, are able to meet the basic needs of themselves and their dependents (Râfiî, el-Azîz, 7/377), it is preferable to prioritize giving zakat to those who are poorer.

Source: T.C. Diyanet İşleri Başkanlığı, Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu