Median incomes for skilled workers in Ukraine have risen significantly, while the Polish market shows diverse trends
Over the past year, job offers for manual labor professions in Ukraine have risen to 60,000-65,000 hryvnias. While pay levels in Poland are generally higher, wage trends there vary significantly by profession. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Тетяна Веремєєва) citing OLX Work, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Between August 2025 and August 2026, Ukraine recorded a notable increase in incomes for workers in the construction sector. The most rapid growth, at 33%, was seen in rates for bricklayers and foremen, who now earn a median salary of 60,000 hryvnias.
Offers for tile layers and locksmiths also increased significantly, by 32%, reaching 62,500 and 36,300 hryvnias respectively. Other high-paying professions include plasterers earning 65,000 hryvnias, while painters, facade workers, and general builders earn between 55,000 and 60,000 hryvnias.
Factors for income growth
The positive dynamics in the Ukrainian labor market are primarily driven by a critical shortage of qualified personnel. Employers are being forced to offer higher remuneration to attract new specialists and minimize staff turnover.
It is worth noting that these amounts significantly exceed state social standards. The median salary for these workers is 4-6 times higher than the minimum wage of 8,647 hryvnias and up to 20 times higher than the subsistence minimum of 3,209 hryvnias.
Pay levels in Poland
The Polish labor market shows a different trend, lacking a unified direction for wage changes. Bricklayers showed the highest positive growth, with income rising by 38% to 11,000 zlotys, equivalent to 126,900 hryvnias at the exchange rate of 11.53 hryvnias per zloty.
Meanwhile, tile layers in Poland earn a median salary of 10,800 zlotys, and foremen earn 10,000 zlotys. However, some professions are seeing a decline: for example, painters in Poland are earning 13% less than a year ago, at about 7,800 zlotys.
Market comparison
The Polish minimum wage for 2026 is 4,806 zlotys, or about 55,500 hryvnias, which is double the Ukrainian figure. Analysts emphasize, however, that evaluating the benefits of employment must take into account tax burdens and the cost of living in another country.
Business strategies in Poland are currently shifting, with a growing preference for temporary workers or outsourcing. High demand persists in logistics, retail, and food production sectors, where Ukrainian workers are often offered positions with comprehensive logistical support.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
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