From January 1, 2027, the official salaries of over 118,000 cultural workers in Ukraine will be increased by 70%, and for specific categories, by 40%.
Money / © UNIAN
Starting from January 1, 2027, the official salaries for employees of state and municipal cultural institutions in Ukraine will see a 70% rise. For certain categories that already receive multiplier coefficients, the increase will amount to 40%.
This was announced by the Vice Prime Minister for Humanitarian Policy and Minister of Culture, Tetyana Berezhna.
According to her, the government has approved a corresponding decision. This also extends to employees of the Ukrainian Cultural Foundation and the Ukrainian Book Institute.
In total, the salary adjustment will affect more than 118,000 cultural workers across Ukraine.
Berezhna recalled that the pay grades in the cultural sector had not been revised since 2009. Consequently, employees in tariff grades 1 through 14 were effectively receiving salaries at the minimum wage level, irrespective of their qualifications and experience.
Data from the State Statistics Service indicates that in 2025, the average monthly salary for employees in libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions was 22,721 hryvnias. Meanwhile, the average salary across the Ukrainian economy reached 39,758 hryvnias.
The Ministry of Culture notes that such a disparity led to a brain drain and the loss of skilled specialists.
Berezhna stated that the ministry’s team had been working on the salary increase solution for six months.
She added that this is merely the initial phase of the reform. The next step is intended to be the transition to a modern payment system where remuneration is contingent upon professionalism, responsibility, and work outcomes.
Salaries in Ukraine — Latest News
We remind you that Ukraine is set to increase the salaries of workers in the education and social protection sectors. The Cabinet of Ministers has allocated 6.6 billion UAH among 24 regional budgets to finance educators’ salaries. Regions with lower budget revenues will receive greater support. For territories at risk of combat operations, the state will cover up to 80% of the expenses.
Furthermore, by the spring of 2026, the official average salary in Ukraine reached 30,000 UAH. However, according to expert Ruslan Chorniy, the actual average salary, excluding payments to military personnel, is less than 20,000 hryvnias. In local communities, this figure is even lower, ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 hryvnias.
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