What Ukrainian Teachers Will Earn
Ukraine is pressing ahead with efforts to strengthen its education sector amid wartime pressures, and a new round of pay increases is now taking shape. Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi said that once the second stage of the wage rise is complete, Ukrainian teachers could receive as much as 28,000 hryvnias per month. Salaries went up by 30 percent on January 1 and will rise by another 20 percent from September 1 — a combined increase of 50 percent compared with 2025. The final amount each teacher receives will depend on their level of experience, professional qualifications, and weekly workload.
An early-career teacher may earn between 12,800 and 17,700 hryvnias, while a more experienced educator could take home from 16,900 to 28,500 hryvnias.
"This year, on the initiative of the President of Ukraine, the government began a major pay upgrade for teachers. Salaries already grew by 30% on January 1, and another 20% increase follows on September 1 — that adds up to 50% compared with 2025. This is only the first step, of course." Serhiy Koretskyi
Child Safety and the Push for In-Person Learning
Getting students back to face-to-face classes, especially near the front line, is the government's top concern. In a new step this year, the state channeled 1 billion hryvnias into building shelters at kindergartens. Koretskyi also said: "As the new school year approaches, we keep constructing shelters so that as many children as possible can learn in safe conditions. This year, the state has for the first time allocated 1 billion hryvnias to equip kindergarten shelters."
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has confirmed that educators and research-teaching staff will see another 20% salary increase on September 1, 2026, and that this will be the final pay adjustment for teachers in the current year.
The salary boost forms part of a broader government strategy to create better working conditions for educators and bring students back to classrooms despite the ongoing conflict. Investments in kindergarten shelters likewise reflect the need to protect children throughout the school day. Higher pay may also help keep experienced teachers in the profession and attract new candidates, which could ultimately raise the standard of education across Ukraine.
As the government continues to enhance financial support for educators, it's important to note that alongside the upcoming salary increases, a significant pay raise for teachers and increased student scholarships will also take effect on September 1. This dual approach aims to not only uplift teacher salaries but also provide greater financial assistance to students, reflecting a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the education sector in these challenging times.