How Employers Increased Salaries in 2025 and What Influenced This Decision

Between cautious optimism and anxiety: this is how the moods of Ukrainian employers are described ahead of 2026. Businesses understand the need to increase salaries for their teams and compete for specialists, but economic uncertainty forces them to count every hryvnia. This is reported by robota.ua.

Salaries in 2025: Who and How Reviewed Payments

A survey of 320 Ukrainian companies showed that half of employers increased salaries for all employees in 2025. Others acted selectively:

• 13% increased payments for more than 75% of the team

• 11% raised salaries for 50–75% of employees

• 7% — for 25–50%

• 10% — for less than a quarter

• 9% did not review the salary level at all.

The decision to increase was influenced by several key factors. The market value of the position was indicated by 68% of respondents. Also important were the budgetary capabilities of companies (60%), employee performance (52%), bonuses based on results (50%), and inflation factors (46%).

Criteria and Plans: What Will Affect Salaries in 2026

Employers also considered the criticality of the position for the business (32%), expansion of responsibilities (30%), job level (23%), tenure in the company (14%), and acquisition of new skills (14%).

In addition to salaries, companies actively used non-material incentives. Among the most popular bonuses for employees:

• company-sponsored training — 62%

• flexible schedule or remote work — 53%

• financial bonuses — 50%

• booking — 40%

• corporate events — 39%

• discounts on the company’s services — 38%

• health insurance — 27%

• company transport — 26%

• meals — 18%

• gym — 11%

• corporate psychologist — 10%.

Regarding 2026, most employers plan to increase salaries. 54% have already made a relevant decision, and another 38% are considering it. Only 8% of companies do not intend to review salaries next year.

Previously, we reported that salaries in Ukraine are 7 times lower than in Europe.