Average salary in Uzbekistan rises 17.4% in Q1 2026

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The average monthly nominal salary in Uzbekistan reached 6,825.9 thousand soums in January–March 2026, marking a 17.4% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

The data covers all regions of the country and key sectors of economic activity.

By region, the highest absolute level of wages was traditionally recorded in Tashkent, where the average salary reached 11,684.3 thousand soums, up 18.8% year on year. The second-highest level was observed in Navoi region at 8,453.2 thousand soums, reflecting a 15.7% increase.

Tashkent region followed with 6,169.6 thousand soums (+13.9%), while Andijan region recorded 5,580.9 thousand soums (+14.4%), and Bukhara region 5,472.1 thousand soums (+15.7%).

Among the fastest-growing regions, Namangan recorded 5,099.9 thousand soums (+19.0%), Jizzakh 5,142.8 thousand soums (+17.3%), and Samarkand 5,069.4 thousand soums (+16.5%). Syrdarya and Khorezm regions also showed similar dynamics, reaching 114.9% of the previous year’s level, with average salaries of 5,369.9 and 5,302.4 thousand soums respectively.

In the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the average salary reached 5,318.8 thousand soums (+14.0%). The lowest absolute levels were recorded in Kashkadarya region at 4,665.2 thousand soums (+14.3%) and Surkhandarya at 4,724.2 thousand soums, where growth was the slowest among all regions at 12.1%.

By sector, the highest wage growth in Q1 2026 was recorded in transportation and storage, which increased by 22.5%. The average salary in this sector amounted to 10,709.3 thousand soums. Within the sector, warehousing and auxiliary transport activities stood at 11,555.9 thousand soums, while land transport and pipeline transport recorded 9,152.7 thousand soums. Postal and courier services remained the lowest at 4,368.4 thousand soums.

The financial sector remained the highest-paying industry overall. In banking, insurance, leasing, and credit intermediation, the average monthly salary reached 18,595.8 thousand soums, up 18.2%. The highest remuneration within the sector was observed in insurance and reinsurance at 24,313.3 thousand soums. Financial services and auxiliary insurance activities stood at 20,582.1 thousand soums, while non-insurance financial services reached 18,081.9 thousand soums. Over the past five years, wages in the financial sector increased by 10,221.4 thousand soums compared to 2022.

In information and communications, the average salary was 16,525.4 thousand soums, growing by 11.0%. The highest levels were recorded in information services at 21,936.0 thousand soums and computer programming and consulting at 21,199.2 thousand soums. Telecommunications stood lower at 12,505.5 thousand soums. Over five years, the sector gained 10,019.3 thousand soums.

In industry, wages increased by 16.1% to 8,025.6 thousand soums. The highest salaries were in mining and quarrying at 10,959.6 thousand soums. Energy sector wages stood at 9,840.0 thousand soums, manufacturing at 7,627.6 thousand soums, and water supply and waste management at 5,261.2 thousand soums. Over five years, industry added 3,550.7 thousand soums.

In trade, the average salary rose 10.4% to 7,213.4 thousand soums. In vehicle and motorcycle trade, including repair, wages reached 10,383.5 thousand soums. Wholesale trade recorded 7,716.2 thousand soums, while retail stood at 6,441.8 thousand soums.

In education, the average salary reached 4,615.9 thousand soums, increasing by 14.2%. Significant disparities remain within the sector: higher education staff earn 10,843.9 thousand soums on average, vocational education workers 4,931.9 thousand soums, school teachers 4,474.8 thousand soums, and preschool educators 2,485.2 thousand soums.

Healthcare and social services grew by 13.0%, but remained among the lowest-paid sectors at 4,111.6 thousand soums.

In construction, the average salary was 6,496.1 thousand soums, with the lowest growth rate across all sectors at 7.2%, although wages have increased by 2,287.4 thousand soums over the past five years.