Salaries of state bodies have soared: who gets the most and for what
29 May 18:51
INFOGRAPHICS
In April 2025, the average salary in central executive bodies reached UAH 57.2 thousand. This is almost three times higher than the average salary in the country, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports, citing information from the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine.
Against the backdrop of war and budget deficit, the increase in the income of civil servants is causing a public outcry.
How much have officials’ salaries increased?
According to the Ministry of Finance, the average salary of central government employees in April 2025 amounted to UAH 57.2 thousand. For comparison, in April 2024, this figure was UAH 48 thousand. Thus, the annual growth was 19.3%.
The average salary in the country for the same period was UAH 19.9 thousand. This means that the income of central-level officials is more than 2.8 times higher than the average in Ukraine.
Who gets the most
The ranking is headed by bodies that traditionally have extended powers and work with large budgets:
- Accounting Chamber – UAH 117.5 thousand (average per employee)
- NEURC (energy regulator) – UAH 101.99 thousand
- NAPC (anti-corruption agency) – UAH 86.16 thousand
These agencies are responsible for controlling finances, markets and ethics of the civil service. The average salary of their employees is twice as high as the average even among government agencies.
How much does the management get?
The figures at the top of government agencies are even more impressive. The average salary of heads of state agencies is UAH 126.6 thousand. But in some cases, it is significantly higher:
- NEURC management – over UAH 470 thousand (7 people)
- NACP – UAH 276.3 thousand (5 persons)
- Agency for the Arts – UAH 236.8 thousand (2 persons)
This brings the remuneration of heads of regulators closer to the level of top managers in the private sector.
How much does the state spend on officials’ salaries?
In April, almost 22 thousand central government employees received salaries from the state budget. This does not include employees of local governments, regional administrations, law enforcement agencies, judges, and MPs. That is, the real cost of public sector labor costs to the state is much higher.
Against the backdrop of martial law, general mobilization, and cuts in social spending, the growth of officials’ incomes looks ambiguous. This is especially true for agencies whose activities are not always transparent or understandable to the public.
What’s next: will there be salary indexation for everyone?
The Ministry of Finance has already announced plans to gradually raise the minimum wage. In 2026, it should rise to UAH 8,688, in 2027 to UAH 9,374, and in 2028 to UAH 10,059. This somewhat mitigates the overall disproportion, but does not negate the fact that there is a significant gap between ordinary workers and the bureaucracy.
Read also: CEO of Ukrposhta Smelyansky receives up to UAH 2 million a month – Yuzhanina
What are the salaries in Ukraine in May 2025?
In May 2025, the situation with wages in Ukraine is complex, shaped by both the economic challenges the country is facing amid the war and some government initiatives.
As of the beginning of 2025, the average gross salary in Ukraine is approximately UAH 25,732 (about $591), and the average net salary is UAH 20,328 (about $467). This reflects a moderate increase compared to previous years. However, the inflation rate in the country remains high, which continues to reduce the real purchasing power of the population.
The NBU informs that businesses are actively looking for new employees and opening new vacancies based on the Inflation Report. According to company surveys, the shortage of staff remains the main factor hindering their operations. It also encourages companies to continue raising wages, as competition for skilled workers is fierce. In 2024, real wages (i.e., after deducting last year’s inflation) grew by more than 15%, but this year’s salary increases continue.
Development of individual sectors
In the defense sector, the Ukrainian government has introduced a youth recruitment program that offers significant financial incentives. Young recruits can earn up to $2,900 per month, receive a $24,000 bonus, and have access to interest-free mortgages. These figures are significantly higher than the national average salary, which is intended to attract young people to rejuvenate the armed forces.
Other sectors, such as IT and agriculture, are experiencing a variety of impacts. The IT industry continues to offer competitive salaries, while agriculture faces challenges due to the ongoing conflicts affecting production and export opportunities.
Going forward, wage developments in Ukraine are likely to continue to be influenced by the country’s economic situation, inflation and government policies. While targeted initiatives create opportunities for wage increases in certain sectors, overall economic challenges may limit overall wage growth.
For individuals and businesses, it is important to stay informed about sector-specific developments and government programs to navigate the changing economic landscape in Ukraine.
According to the NBU, the difficult situation on the labor market will continue for a long time, as even after the war is over, Ukraine will need a large number of workers to rebuild. Additional difficulties will arise from regional differences and structural changes in the economy (sectoral redistribution, new demographic realities, etc.). Therefore, Ukraine will need both public and private initiatives to return migrants, adapt veterans to civilian life, and re-profile and retrain workers.
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