Ukraine is short of workers: builders and drivers earn up to 55 thousand

There is a growing shortage of labor in Ukraine — the most sought are builders, drivers, masons, plasterers, and service workers. These professions are currently in high demand from employers, offering salaries ranging from 40 to 55 thousand hryvnias, and even more in regions with high demand. This was reported by Julia Potapova, co-founder of an HR agency, for Novyny.LIVE.

Who employers are looking for

According to the expert, the year 2025 confirmed that physical professions remain the most deficient in the labor market. Construction, logistics, and manufacturing companies feel a lack of personnel, and the cycle of closing vacancies has lengthened. The largest labor shortage is observed among:

• workers in physical professions (“blue collar workers”);
• middle management;
• narrow-profile specialists.

Companies are forced to adapt: they offer housing, expanded social packages, paid internships, cooperation with vocational schools, and flexible schedules. They are more actively involving youth, veterans, and older people.

Rates and trends

Median salaries in 2025 increased moderately, mostly within 5–9%, while in some industries they did not change at all. The highest rates are recorded in construction, repair, and logistics sectors:

• facade workers, plasterers — up to 55 thousand UAH/month;
• long-distance drivers, masons — about 50 thousand UAH/month;
• tilers, foremen, auto mechanics, realtors — 42–46 thousand UAH/month.

In terms of growth dynamics, the East, North, and West of Ukraine lead — Donetsk, Sumy, Lviv, Kyiv, and Kherson regions. There, the salary level has risen by double digits due to the shortage of labor.

What influences the labor market

The workforce balance also depends on demographic factors. Some youth consider moving abroad after the adoption of a bill allowing men aged 18–22 to leave. According to business estimates, about 25% of young men plan to emigrate, while half still strive to build a career in Ukraine.

Earlier, we wrote about strictly male professions — a list of specialties and popular fields.