May 1 marks not only Labor Day but also International School Principal’s Day. This is an opportunity to reflect on how working conditions for school administrators in Ukraine have changed in 2026. How much have their salaries increased compared to the previous year? Glavkom reports on this, citing data from recruitment portals and industry sources.
Changes in salaries compared to 2025
In 2025, the average salary of a public school principal ranged from 22,000 to 25,000 UAH in cities and up to 15,000 UAH in rural areas. However, significant fluctuations were observed throughout the year: in September and December, salaries reached 32,500 UAH, while in November they dropped to 27,500 UAH.
Starting January 1, 2026, teachers’ salaries increased by 30%, marking the largest raise in recent years. The base rate for the first pay grade of the Unified Pay Scale (UPS) rose to 3,470 UAH. As a result, the median salary for a school principal in the spring of 2026 is approximately 28,000–28,500 UAH. For comparison, in 2025, the “base” salary for a principal (pay grades 14–18) ranged from 7,732 to 10,256 UAH, excluding bonuses.
Regional Differences
Principals in Kyiv and large cities receive the highest salaries: on average, about 40,000 UAH, and in lyceums and gymnasiums—up to 60,000 UAH thanks to municipal bonuses. In the Rivne region, the average salary is 33,500 UAH, and in the Lviv region—about 28,000 UAH.
The lowest salaries are for principals of rural schools—an average of 18,000 UAH (ranging from 12,000 to 25,000 UAH). The small number of students limits communities’ ability to provide additional allowances; however, the state partially compensates for this by covering 100% of utility costs and providing a monthly supplement.
