Payroll costs for drivers in the agricultural sector increased by 16% in 2025 compared with 2024, reaching UAH 56.2 per hectare. These findings come from a study conducted by Agrohub among 45 field operations companies belonging to eight agricultural holdings and employing a total of 2,700 drivers.

Pay varies significantly depending on vehicle class: in the 6–16 tonne segment, average earnings are 31% higher than among drivers of vehicles weighing up to 6 tonnes. As in 2024, drivers of vehicles over 16 tonnes continue to earn the highest incomes.

The average monthly income of a truck driver in 2025 was approximately UAH 33,700 excluding bonuses, up 15% from 2024. Bus and passenger car drivers earned an average of UAH 23,700 per month, representing a 16% year-on-year increase in both categories. The income of fuel truck operators also rose by 8%, reaching UAH 25,500 per month.

The study also examined regional differences in income. The highest earnings were recorded among heavy vehicle drivers (over 16 tonnes) in central and eastern regions, particularly Poltava and Kirovohrad oblasts. Income levels were more consistent across other regions, which is likely linked to the presence of large agricultural companies and stronger competition for these drivers in the central and eastern parts of the country. The regional factor is therefore evident, although its impact is not decisive.

The market analysis also found that most drivers in the agricultural sector are paid under a combined compensation model consisting of fixed and variable components, with the latter calculated based on rates per kilometre or tonne of cargo. This model currently accounts for 62% of compensation arrangements. Meanwhile, purely piece-rate pay is gradually becoming less common.

Another notable trend is the high level of reliance on hired vehicles and third-party transport services. Due to shortages of in-house drivers, companies actively use external carriers to transport both harvested crops and finished products. At some agricultural companies, hired vehicles account for more than 90% of transport operations.

The age structure of truck drivers in the agricultural sector has remained largely unchanged. More than 60% of employees are men aged 45–65. The share of young workers under 25 is around 30%, while the number of women, who began entering these positions in the previous year, has not increased and still remains below 1%.

The overall headcount remained virtually unchanged compared with the previous year, averaging 9.5 employees per 10,000 hectares.

“In 2025, agricultural companies were effectively competing to maintain operational stability through workforce retention. The 16% increase in driver payroll costs helped companies retain employees, but at the same time increased the share of operating expenses and reduced resources available for investment. The market is showing a clear trend: the driver shortage persists, companies are shifting towards combined compensation models and increasingly relying on hired vehicles and third-party transport services. These are structural changes that will shape the workforce and operating models of agribusinesses in the coming years,” said Dmytro Lyebyediev, Head of HR360, summarising the study findings.

The Agrohub HR360 Research of drivers’ income for 2025 was conducted from January to September 2025 and covered 45 field operations companies employing a total of 2,700 drivers. Agricultural producers interested in participating in future studies can contact Agrohub at dl@agrohub.org.