Uzbekistan might not be the first place that comes to mind for global expansion, but maybe it should be. Salaries are competitive, the workforce is growing, and cities like Tashkent and Navoi are building momentum in banking, tech, and heavy industry.
But here’s the thing: Average salary numbers will not get you very far. If you’re trying to hire, what matters most is where the job is and what sector it’s in. That’s where the real story lives.
Salary variation by region
Tashkent leads the way. As the capital and business center, salaries here are the highest in the country, averaging around 5.8 million UZS a month (about US$470). It’s where you’ll find the banks, the startups, the government agencies, and a growing international presence.
Meanwhile, in regions like Kashkadarya or Surkhandarya, wages drop closer to UZS 3.5 million (around US$280). But that doesn’t mean these areas lack opportunity. It just means the roles and industries are different.
Then there’s Navoi. You might skip over it on the map, but you shouldn’t. This smaller region punches well above its weight thanks to mining and industrial zones like the Navoi Free Economic Zone. Average salaries here often rival Tashkent’s, driven by high-demand, high-skill work.
As an employer, these pay gaps shape how you build offers.
Sector trends and salary growth
If you’re looking for high salaries, follow the money. Banking, fintech, and finance roles lead the pack in Uzbekistan. Think risk analysts, compliance leads, and credit managers. These roles pay well and stay in demand.
Healthcare and education, on the other hand, are vital but still catching up. Teachers and nurses, especially outside the capital, often earn below UZS 3 million a month. The work is meaningful, but the pay can lag.
Tech is where things get exciting. Uzbekistan’s digital economy is still young, but scaling fast. Developers, cybersecurity experts, and designers in Tashkent are seeing offers that rival their banking peers, especially if they bring international experience or are multilingual.
What drives regional and sector differences?
Several factors are at play:
- Cost of living: Tashkent’s higher salaries match its higher rents and prices.
- Economic concentration: Cities like Tashkent and Navoi generate more GDP and more high-wage jobs.
- Local demand: Specialized skills in regions with talent shortages can drive wages up, but only if the local economy supports it.
The takeaway is simple. Real, local forces shape salary ranges in Uzbekistan. Whether you are hiring or job hunting, ignoring those factors means missing key context.
How minimum and median wages help set realistic expectations
You’ll see plenty of average salary figures for Uzbekistan. But averages can be misleading, especially when high earners pull the number up.
That’s why it helps to look at both the minimum and the median salaries.
The minimum wage in 2025 is UZS 1.1 million (about US$89). Legally, no one should earn less, but note that it’s not enough to cover even basic expenses in most Uzbekistan cities.
The median salary, by contrast, is around UZS 3.6 million (US$290). That’s the real middle. Half the workforce earns more, half earns less. It is often a better reflection of what most people make and a smarter benchmark when you are trying to set expectations or create a compensation plan.
Where the best-paying jobs are and how location affects value
Top salaries live at the intersection of in-demand roles and economic hubs.
Banking, tech, legal services, and engineering consistently pay above average. But you will mostly find those jobs in places like Tashkent or Navoi, where the clients, infrastructure, and global partnerships are.
Tech startups in the capital are offering between UZS 7 and 10 million per month (US$560–800), flexible work options, and modern perks. International NGOs are also boosting local wages with competitive salaries for admin and technical roles.
That said, UZS 5 million goes a lot further in Samarkand than it does in Tashkent. Rent and food are cheaper. So if you’re hiring, you can’t just look at salary—ask, what’s the real cost of living?
Tips and resources for a successful application
If you want to work or hire in Uzbekistan, a little prep goes a long way.
- Research pay by region and role, not just national averages.
- Adjust for cost of living. A great salary in one city might not stretch in another.
- Learn the basics of local employment law before you sign or offer anything.
For salary insights, you can use Salary Explorer or government data from Stat.uz. If you’re unsure about the legal side, local recruiters or HR partners can help demystify what’s standard and what’s not. For a deeper dive into the specifics, explore Pebl’s detailed guide on salaries in Uzbekistan.
Partnering with EOR providers
If you’re a global employer looking to hire in Uzbekistan and don’t want to spend the time and money on opening a legal entity, that’s where an Employer of Record (EOR) makes life easier.
An EOR hires employees on your behalf, handling the contracts, payroll, benefits, and compliance. Your team gets a legal, local job, and you stay on the right side of local rules.
Instead of searching for labor codes or guessing on salary bands, you get built-in support from people who know the rules and already work in the country. A strong EOR partner will cover compliant contracts, local payroll and tax filings, benefits that match Uzbekistan’s standards, and the ongoing compliance work that comes with managing a team.
What to take away before you hire
You don’t have to let a single salary figure guide your decisions. Hiring in Uzbekistan, or moving there, means thinking locally.
Ask yourself:
- Where’s the job based?
- What’s the industry standard in that city or region?
- How far does that salary go, once the cost of living kicks in?
When you understand the bigger picture, you make better choices for your budget, your career, or your team.
How Pebl helps you hire and pay the right way in Uzbekistan
Hiring globally should not be a guessing game. With Pebl, you get a clear, reliable way to bring on talent in Uzbekistan.
Pebl’s employer of record services make it simple to hire local employees with no entity setup required. Pebl is already an EOR in Uzbekistan, where they will handle payroll, compliance, global benefits guidance, and currency conversion, so you can focus on building a great team instead of managing admin.
Whether you’re hiring a fintech analyst in Tashkent or a regional sales manager in Navoi, Pebl helps you get the salary right and stay compliant from day one. Let Pebl handle payroll, compliance, and everything in between, so you can focus on building your team. Talk to our experts and see how easy hiring in Uzbekistan can be.
This information does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice and is for general informational purposes only. The intent of this document is solely to provide general and preliminary information for private use. Do not rely on it as an alternative to legal, financial, taxation, or accountancy advice from an appropriately qualified professional. The content in this guide is provided “as is,” and no representations are made that the content is error-free.
© 2026 Pebl, LLC. All rights reserved.
