Salaries of working professions have almost doubled: who earns the most today
4 November 2025 14:35
Demand for blue-collar professionals remains high. This is confirmed by a survey of employers conducted by OLX Job and the European Business Association: 63% of companies reported a shortage of representatives of these specialties. The high demand affects the growth of salaries for specialists. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the company’s press release.
According to OLX Work, over the past four years, the salaries of craftsmen have grown significantly, but the rate depended on the profession. The largest increase was recorded for bricklayers – from UAH 15 thousand in September 2022 to UAH 50 thousand in September 2025, plumbers – from UAH 15 thousand to UAH 40 thousand, and plasterers – from UAH 22.5 thousand to UAH 60 thousand. The smallest increase in the median salary was for the position of a handyman – from UAH 12.5 thousand to UAH 22.5 thousand.
So, how have the salaries of craftsmen – representatives of the most popular working professions – changed over the past 4 years? A detailed analysis from OLX Work is below.
2022
2022 was the base year for the study. The median salary in September 2022 ranged from UAH 12.5 thousand to UAH 31.3 thousand, depending on the profession. For example, the highest income was earned by facade workers (UAH 31.3 thousand), and the lowest by handymen (UAH 12.5 thousand). The median salary of foremen and builders was about UAH 20 thousand, tilers and painters – UAH 17.8 thousand, plumbers and bricklayers – UAH 15 thousand.
2023
In September 2023, the median salaries of bricklayers (115% to UAH 32.3 thousand) and plumbers (66.7% to UAH 25 thousand) increased the most, while facade workers had the lowest percentage of growth (20% to UAH 37.5 thousand), but remained among the highest-paid occupations.
Median salaries for other labor vacancies increased compared to September 2022 and amounted to:
- Plasterer – UAH 35 thousand ( 55.6%)
- Tiler – UAH 27.5 thousand ( 54.9%)
- Electrician – UAH 18.8 thousand ( 41.5%)
- Builder, foreman – UAH 27.5 thousand ( 37.5%)
- Painter – UAH 23.8 thousand ( 33.8%)
- Welder – UAH 23.3 thousand ( 32.9%)
- Installer – UAH 23.5 thousand ( 25.3%)
- Handyman – 15.5 thousand UAH ( 24%)
2024
In September 2024, the salaries of craftsmen continued to grow compared to September 2023, and the rate of increase varied by profession. The median salary of foremen increased the most – up to UAH 45 thousand (63.6%), electricians – up to UAH 27.5 thousand (46.7%) and plasterers – up to UAH 50 thousand (42.9%). Plumbers received a smaller increase – UAH 30.8 thousand (23%), handymen – UAH 18.5 thousand (19.4%) and facade paint ers – UAH 45 thousand (20%), but the latter remained among the highest paid craftsmen.
2025
After a steady increase in wages in September 2024, in September 2025, the trend continued for most vacancies for craftsmen – median wages increased, although not as fast as in previous years.
The most noticeable increase in the median salary in September 2025, compared to September 2024, was received by plumbers – up to UAH 40 thousand (30.1%), painters – up to UAH 38.5 thousand (23.2%), and handymen – UAH 22.5 thousand (21.6%).
The median salaries of builders and tilers increased by about 21% to UAH 42.5 thousand. Foremen retained the level of the previous year – UAH 45 thousand, and are still among the top three highest paid craftsmen along with plasterers (UAH 60 thousand), facade workers (UAH 52.5 thousand) and bricklayers (UAH 50 thousand).
The analysis shows that even among highly paid craftsmen, the growth dynamics are different. The salaries of facade and plasterers remain consistently high, while the earnings of bricklayers show a record increase of 115% over the year. These changes demonstrate that the labor market is dynamic and competitive, while also reflecting economic realities, including inflation.
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