In Ukraine, employers have significantly raised salaries for candidates without experience and students. Over the year, the median salary for entry-level vacancies increased by 23% to 29,000 UAH, while offers for students grew by 24% to 29,700 UAH. This is reported by Visit Ukraine citing a study by Work.ua.
The shortage of personnel is forcing businesses to raise starting salaries. This have been felt by 68% of 967 surveyed employers during the past year.
Salaries without experience in 2026 rose to 29,000 UAH
Over the year, the overall median salary for vacancies on Work.ua increased by 20% and reached 30,000 UAH. However, offers for those just starting their careers grew even faster.
In vacancies marked 'For Students', the median salary rose from 23,950 to 29,700 UAH. Candidates without experience are offered 29,000 UAH compared to 23,500 UAH a year earlier.
Thus, the difference between starting salaries and the overall level of offers has nearly disappeared. Students are offered only 300 UAH less than the median salary in the market, while candidates without experience are offered 1,000 UAH less.
At the same time, salary expectations of young men have risen more slowly. In July 2026, candidates aged 18-22 wanted to earn an average of 25,000 UAH compared to 22,000 UAH in July 2025.
The personnel shortage in 2026 has intensified, and the number of young men among candidates has decreased
In July 2026, 13,483 men aged 18-22 responded to vacancies. A year earlier, there were 16,712. Thus, the number of young male candidates decreased by 19%. In comparison, among women of this age, the decline was only 2%.
The biggest drop in responses from young men occurred in culture, music, and show business - by 41%. In accounting and auditing, the reduction was 30%, in HoReCa, retail, and administrative work - by 29% each.
At the same time, in insurance and law, the number of such candidates increased by 19%, in construction and architecture - by 13%, and in top management - by 10%.
Employers feel the most acute shortage of workers in HoReCa, retail and wholesale trade, construction, transport and logistics. A shortage is also recorded in machine engineering, food, woodworking and metallurgy industries, automotive business, and auto service.
Work.ua emphasizes that the decrease in activity among young men occurs against the backdrop of changing border crossing rules; however, the platform's data does not allow establishing a direct causal link with leaving Ukraine.
Recall that in Ukraine, the minimum wage is twice lower than in Moldova.