In 2026, salaries in Ukraine will increase: who will receive 80 thousand hryvnias.

According to ТСН: In 2026, Ukrainians can expect significant salary growth. The government plans to raise the minimum wage and increase payments for workers in the housing and communal services sector. It is predicted that in some professions, incomes may exceed 80 thousand hryvnias per month.

TSN.ua portal reports who and how much will need to earn in Ukraine.

Minimum wage in Ukraine in 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, an increase in the minimum wage is planned in Ukraine. It will amount to 8,647 hryvnias per month and 52 hryvnias per hour for hourly wage payment.

This norm is laid out in the draft Law on the State Budget of Ukraine for 2026, which the Verkhovna Rada has adopted in the first reading. This is the first increase in the minimum wage since 2023.

The government believes that such an increase in the minimum wage should support workers in conditions of high inflation and economic instability, as well as partly compensate for the rising cost of living.

Planned increase in the minimum wage for 2027-2028 years

In addition to the increase in 2026, an increase in the minimum wage is also planned for the following years. In particular, such growth awaits us in 2027 and 2028.

It is expected that as a result, the minimum wage in Ukraine will be no less than 10 thousand hryvnias.

Payments for housing and communal services workers will increase by 40%

Starting January 1, 2026, an increase in payments for workers in the housing and communal sector is also planned. The minimum wage for a worker of the 1st category is expected to increase to at least 260% of the subsistence minimum.

If the subsistence minimum for able-bodied persons is set at 3,328 hryvnias, the minimum wage for utility workers will reach at least 8,653 hryvnias, which will mean approximately a 40% increase.

The Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories notes that this decision is aimed at supporting employees who ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical infrastructure under martial law, and will also help utility enterprises retain skilled personnel.

Which housing and communal services workers will see an increase in payments

An increase in payment coefficients for drivers in the communal sector is also planned. Changes will affect drivers:

• freight transport;

• passenger cars;

• buses.

A separate payment category will be introduced for electric vehicle drivers.

In addition, allowances for performing especially important work, especially during martial law, will increase. Their amount may be up to 100% of the salary. The language proficiency allowance will increase to 15%.

Impact of increasing the minimum wage

The increase in minimum wage in 2026 will affect not only the workers' incomes but also a number of social and financial indicators. In particular:

• the size of the single social contribution (USC) for individual entrepreneurs will increase;

• the limits for taxpayers under the simplified taxation system will change;

• calculations for sick leave, maternity benefits, and unemployment assistance will be reviewed;

• fines for violations of labor legislation tied to the minimum wage will increase.

All changes regarding payments in the housing and communal sector are enshrined in the Industry Agreement for 2023-2027, concluded by the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories, employers, and trade unions.

Average salary in Ukraine at the end of 2025

The level of the average salary in Ukraine remains dynamic and varies depending on the region and sphere of activity. By the end of 2025, the average salary in the country will amount to approximately 26-27 thousand hryvnias per month.

According to Work.ua, the average salary level is 27,500 hryvnias. In October 2025 (the latest data), the average salary in Ukraine was 26,913 hryvnias.

The highest average salaries are recorded in Kyiv, as well as in the fields of information, telecommunications, and IT. Meanwhile, the lowest salary indicators remain in the fields of culture and education.

Professions with incomes over 80 thousand hryvnias per month

In Ukraine, there are already professions where the salary level exceeds 80 thousand hryvnias per month. This primarily concerns managerial positions and highly qualified specialists in business and IT.

According to the latest labor market data, the highest average salary in Ukraine is received by marketing directors, with an average salary for this position of 82,500 hryvnias per month, making it the leader among the highest-paid professions.

Professions with salaries of 70-75 thousand hryvnias

The group of the highest-paid specialties also includes specialists whose incomes are just below the 80 thousand hryvnias mark. In particular:

• Back-end developer — about 72,500 UAH;

• Production engineer — 72,000 UAH;

• Sales department manager — 70,000 UAH;

• Chief Financial Officer — 70,000 UAH;

• Investment analyst — 70,000 UAH.

Such salaries are typical for large companies, international business, and the capital.

Who else receives high salaries

High incomes are also recorded for specialists in technical and management areas:

• Broker — 67,500 UAH;

• Operations director — 67,500 UAH;

• 1C programmer — 65,000 UAH;

• DevOps engineer — 64,000 UAH;

• JavaScript developer — 63,500 UAH.

High salaries outside the IT sector

At the same time, high incomes are possible not only in the IT sector. A consistently high level of wages is held by:

• international truck drivers — about 60,000 UAH;

• real estate agents — 60,000 UAH;

• auto painters — 60,000 UAH;

• dental surgeons — 60,000 UAH.

Thus, in 2026, against the backdrop of overall salary growth in Ukraine, the threshold of 80 thousand hryvnias becomes attainable for managerial positions and highly qualified specialists, primarily in the fields of marketing, IT, finance, and management.

Who in Ukraine receives the lowest salaries

Despite the overall rise in salaries, there remains a significant gap between incomes in different sectors in Ukraine. The lowest salaries are traditionally recorded in culture, education, and auxiliary professions.

The lowest salaries by profession

The following specialties are among those with the lowest wage levels:

• circle leader — about 9,000 UAH;

• librarian — 10,000 UAH;

• organizer teacher — 11,000 UAH;

• doorman — 11,500 UAH;

• music director — 12,000 UAH;

• computer science teacher — 12,500 UAH;

• teacher's assistant — 12,500 UAH;

• vocational training master — 12,500 UAH;

• wardrobe attendant — 12,600 UAH.

The majority of these professions belong to the budget sphere, where salary levels are directly dependent on state funding.

Education and culture — outsiders in salary levels

The lowest salaries are consistently earned by workers in educational and cultural institutions. Even considering the annual increase in income, wages in these fields often barely exceed the minimum wage or are at its level.

This significantly contrasts with incomes in the fields of IT, finance, and management, where salaries can be 5-8 times higher.

Let us remind you that the Verkhovna Rada stated how much teachers' salaries will be in 2026.

Earlier, we reported that in Ukraine in 2026 pension rates will be significantly increased. About 40% of pensioners will receive an increase.