Ukrainian Teachers to Receive 40% Salary Increase Starting January 2026.

Pay Rise for Ukrainian Educators

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian teachers are set to receive a significant 40% increase in their incomes, effective from January 1, 2026. This raise, mandated by Government Decree No. 1749 dated December 26, 2025, will result in higher official salaries for educators, with the actual pay adjustments expected to be reflected in March 2026. This move is part of a broader effort to improve the financial stability of the teaching profession in Ukraine.

According to Order No. 557 from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES), school teachers are classified under 10 to 14 tariff grades. The base rate of the Unified Tariff Schedule (UTS) is 3,470 UAH. Minimum official salaries will vary based on a teacher's category and tariff grade. Specifically, the minimum salary for a teacher without a category will start at 6,315 UAH, for the second category at 7,356 UAH, for the first category at 7,877 UAH, and for the highest category at 8,397 UAH.

Minimum Salaries After the Increase

Following the 40% increase, the minimum official salaries for teachers across different tariff grades will be as follows:

• For teachers with grades 10-11: from 8,841 UAH;
• For teachers with grade 12: from 10,298.40 UAH;
• For teachers with grade 13: from 11,027.80 UAH;
• For teachers with grade 14: from 11,755.80 UAH.

Additionally, teachers working in challenging conditions are eligible for a surcharge of 2,000 UAH or more, while those in frontline communities can receive an extra 4,000 UAH. Consequently, educators can anticipate a minimum official salary ranging from 11,000 to 13,000 UAH by March 2026. These reforms are taking place against a backdrop of ongoing efforts to retain and motivate educational staff.

It is further planned that from September 1, 2026, official salaries will see an additional 20% increase. This indicates a gradual improvement in working conditions and compensation for Ukrainian teachers, which is expected to positively influence the country's education system.

The planned salary increase for teachers represents a crucial step in enhancing the social conditions for educators in Ukraine.

Such changes may encourage more young people to pursue teaching careers and help reduce the emigration of qualified personnel. This, in turn, could have a beneficial impact on the national education system. Higher salaries are also likely to boost teacher motivation and improve the quality of the educational process, which is a key factor in Ukraine's development.