Sometimes posts in social networks make us doubt the adequacy of the assessment of the IT market in Ukraine. On the one hand, recruiters write about staff hunger. On the other hand, specialists complain about increasing requirements to applicants. And one seems to contradict the other. What is the truth? Let us understand today how things really are. In-demand areas, salaries, job search, start for beginners, training and other details.
The IT sphere in Ukraine continues to be one of the most attractive for starting a career, even for beginners without experience. This is due to high salaries, the possibility of remote work and the inevitable digitalization in all spheres. Pandemic and full-scale war have also made a lot of adjustments. Too many people had to urgently change their profession. And the choice of many fell on IT, because the reputation of this sphere is already legendary and work in IT attracts not only professionals, but also people without experience.
You can start your career from the position of an intern in an IT company in Kiev or take an internship in an IT company in Odessa - you will find options. Let's find out which areas are most in demand now.
Salaries and professions in IT
If you start with what specialties there are in IT, you can list too long, given the variety of branches and highly specialized professions. So let's consider those where newcomers and people with no experience at all most often aspire to. So, TOP-8.
1. Software Engineer (programmer)
Description: The main task of programmers is to develop and support software. Developers can specialize in different programming languages (Java, Python, C++, JavaScript, etc.), work in web development, mobile development or create system software.
Salary of programmers in Ukraine: according to Work.ua , the average salary of a Web software engineer is only 37,000 UAH (about $900). But on Djinni the figures are quite different. If we take the JavaScript/Front-End category, the median salary is 124,000 - 200,000 UAH ($3,000 - $5,000). Why such a difference? Because the audience on these sites is different, Djinni is more often looking for work for professionals with experience, and Work.ua is quite “green” beginners. Therefore, and can be guided by these figures, depending on the level.
The same situation with different statistics will be observed in other directions. And one more nuance - the location of the employer. Professions in the field of IT technologies allow you to work for foreign projects. And in the USA you can get many times more than in Ukraine.
2. DevOps Engineer
Description: development and operations integration specialist. DevOps Engineers provide continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD), process automation, server and system configuration.
DevOps Salary in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 57,000 UAH (about $1380).
According to Djinni : 124,000 - 222,500 UAH (about $3000 - $5400).
3. Data scientist
Description: Data Scientist is engaged in analyzing big data, creating predictive models, applying statistical methods and machine learning. They are in demand in fintech, retail, marketing.
Salary of a data analyst in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 30,000 UAH (about $730).
According to Djinni : 107,000 - 226,700 UAH (about $2,600 - $5,500).
4. UX/UI Designer
Description: UX/UI designers are tasked with creating user-friendly and attractive interfaces for web and mobile applications. They work on improving user experience.
Salary of UX/UI designer in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 27,500 UAH (about $670).
According to Djinni : 50,000 - 90,700 UAH (about $1,200 - $2,200).
Starting a career as a web designer is relatively easier than in other IT fields. All thanks to the minimum entry threshold: no deep programming knowledge is required, and already in the initial stages of training you can create a portfolio and get your first clients. The FREE course “Web Designer: Explosive Start ” is a great way to immerse yourself in the profession. Join now to take the first step towards a career in IT and start earning from your skills soon.
By the way, our graduates are proving that you can earn much more in UX/UI than the stats from the aforementioned job search sites. Check out our “Successful Success” podcast series , there are amazing inspiring stories of real people. Here's one example:
5. QA Engineer (tester)
Description: QA Engineers are involved in software quality assurance, testing functionality, finding bugs, and checking code for compliance.
Salary of testers in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 24,500 UAH (about $600).
According to Djinni : 82,400 - 164,800 UAH (about $2000 - $4000)
6. Project Manager in IT
Description: Project Manager controls the implementation of projects on time, coordinates the work of teams of developers, designers and other specialists, is responsible for planning and budgeting. This is the bridge that connects specialized specialists and customers. A big plus: you also need to understand technical aspects, but not as deeply as executors, it's more of a managerial position.
Salary of a project manager in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 35,000 UAH (about $850).
According to Djinni : 41,200 - 103,000 UAH (about $1000 - $2500).
7. Sales Manager in IT
Description: a sales manager in an IT company is responsible for finding new customers and selling IT solutions such as software or development services. He interacts with customers at all stages of the transaction. This is another profession in IT that is related to development but not directly related to it. Communication and organizational skills are more important here.
Salary of a sales manager in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 30,000 UAH (about $730).
According to Djinni : 41,200 - 82,400 UAH (about $1000 - $2000).
8. Cybersecurity Specialist
Description: a cybersecurity specialist is responsible for protecting computer systems and data from cyberattacks, monitoring and preventing threats.
Salary of cybersecurity specialist in Ukraine:
According to Work.ua : 25,000 UAH (about $600).
According to Djinni : 82,400 - 184,500 UAH (about $2000 - $4475)
HR and recruiter in IT
Let us single out these two professions in a separate paragraph. Because they have something in common - the possibility of getting into IT without a technical background.
HR in IT-companies is more than classical personnel management. In a rapidly growing and highly competitive IT market, HR managers play a key role in team development, adaptation of new employees and support of corporate culture. And who is looking for these very employees? The recruiter. And given the “staffing famine” already mentioned in the introduction, fast recruiters are very much needed now.
These people help to attract talent, conduct performance reviews, ensure employee retention and form motivational programs.
The big question. How much do HR and recruiters earn in IT?
According to Djinni, the average HR salary in Ukraine is $700 - $1,500, and a recruiter earns about $600 - $1,300. This is from 24,700 to 61,800 UAH per month. Recruiters with more experience and skills can earn much more, getting paid for each closed vacancy - the cooler the recruited specialist, the higher the bonus for his “head”. Sometimes one recruited Senior easily gives an income that exceeds the average salary in Ukraine by times.
Quite decent, considering that you don't have to learn programming languages. For those who want to build a career in this field, there are HR and IT recruitment courses that help to master the skills of personnel management and quality hiring.
In fact, the IT sector offers a wide range of professions with quite high salaries both in Ukraine and abroad. And not all of them require deep technical knowledge - for those who are just starting out, even working as an office manager in an IT company in Kiev can be a first step. Advanced employers always consider the chances for advanced training and transfer of employees to more interesting positions, providing opportunities for development. So don't be afraid to start with small amounts, the main thing here is to get into the system, and then it's easier.
Training for work in IT
First of all, you need to choose a direction in IT. To do this, it is important to understand what there are professions in the field of IT-technology and take the appropriate training. For example, you can take HR courses in IT or choose a technical profession.
How to choose a direction in IT:
- Research in-demand professions: it's already easier with this, there's a ready overview above.
- Decide on the format of work: everywhere has its own specifics. Part-time or full-time, flexible schedule, remote work or office, freelance or hire. Look at the IT jobs you're interested in and see which offers are the most common.
- Take into account your interests and skills: if nature has given you a mathematical mind, you like to solve problems and you can focus on details, try training as a developer, tester or analyst. If visuals and creativity are important, UX/UI courses are the way to go. And if you're passionate about process management, start with project management.
If it all seems complicated and incomprehensible, and you can't find your way, there is a solution. Many companies now organize marathons like “Try 5 IT professions in 30 days” or basic introductory courses in certain areas. It's a chance to delve into different areas and figure out which one suits you best.
Start with UX/UI! Specifically, with the free online course “Web Designer: An Explosive Start” .
IT training options
- Online courses : the optimal start. We don't even need to describe anything here, the WAYUP team has been promoting this format for many years, because we truly believe that it is the best solution available. It is convenient, relevant and effective.
- Bootcamps and intensives: programs for several months with immersion in the profession.
- Full-time IT courses in Ukraine: IT schools in major cities offer programming and project management courses. There are advantages to attending live classes, but there are more disadvantages. There are few such courses, they are available only to residents of megacities, you need to adjust to the schedule and pay a lot.
- Internships: many companies offer internships that help you gain real-world experience and include training. This is ideal, but finding such an opportunity and making your way there is not an easy task. More often, though, companies prefer candidates who already have a basic understanding of the basics of the profession and it is obvious that it makes sense to invest in the development of a particular person.
- Universities: sometimes this decision makes sense, for example, if you need a degree to work in an international company. But it is unlikely that you will go to study at MIT, and whether a graduate of a standard state institute is quoted is a question. Still, in IT, practice, experience and portfolio are much more important. So it's up to you to decide whether you should devote whole years of your life exclusively to studying theory for the sake of a diploma or dive straight into the profession and develop skills.
Training in IT requires a focus on practice. Therefore, in addition to courses, set yourself up to find projects that will help you gain experience, even if they are volunteer or modestly paid. This is your springboard that will allow you to more quickly increase your knowledge and income accordingly.
IT in Ukraine
Today, the IT market in Ukraine is actively developing and Ukraine's IT industry remains one of the key sectors of the economy and continues to adapt despite the challenges of war (plus 300+ defense IT startups registered in 2022-2023). The Beetroot Market Report on Ukraine's IT market shows some interesting stats:
- $6.5-$17 billion: IT sector's share of Ukraine's GDP by 2024.
- 272,000 registered private IT entrepreneurs.
- Third place in Europe in terms of technology ownership.
- $7.35 billion: export volume of IT services in 2022.
- 45.4% share of IT in total services exports.
- 96% of contracts retained after full-scale invasion.
The largest IT companies in Ukraine continue to expand their staff, with many specialists partnering with major outsourcing companies such as EPAM, SoftServe, GlobalLogic and Luxoft.
The Ukrainian IT sector offers world-class services at more affordable prices compared to other countries. Developers in Ukraine demonstrate a high level of English and easily adapt to the requirements of international clients. You bet, stress resistance has now acquired a different meaning for us. And this situation is very favorable for everyone if you aim to work in foreign companies. You get a high rate, which for foreigners is lower than the market rate in their region. Everyone is on the plus side.
If we generalize, IT in Ukraine retains the status of one of the most promising industries.
What about personnel problems? Rumors did not arise out of nothing after all. Practice shows that the gap between Junior, Middle and Senior has grown a lot. Entry into the profession has become more difficult for newcomers due to the increase in the number of applicants and the availability of education. Meanwhile, companies are suffering from staff starvation because advanced professionals are scarce and need to fight for them. This is not a reason to give up on entering the profession, not at all. But it is a reason to think about rapid development. It is important to break out of the juniors to join the ranks of in-demand and highly paid pros that agencies are literally hunting for.
How to find a job in IT
How to get a job in an IT company if you are a beginner? Starting a career in IT without experience is possible if you prepare yourself properly and choose the right strategy. Here are some tips on how to get into an IT company with no experience:
- Build a portfolio from the beginning so there is an opportunity to showcase skills to employers. This is the main thing.
- Try every possible way to gain experience and make useful contacts. Online projects, internships, contests.
- Make a proper resume for an IT company. Focus on soft skills, e.g. teamwork, time management, trainability. Junior specialists are selected based on these.
- Adapt your CV for each vacancy: it is important to specify in your CV the key skills and tools that correspond to the specific position. Google how to write a CV for an IT company - sometimes representatives of large agencies themselves give advice to job seekers.
- Start with freelancing: platforms like Upwork and Fiverr help you get your first orders and experience. And then you'll build up a portfolio, and maybe even offers of permanent cooperation.
- Create a LinkedIn profile if you don't already have one. It's worth sharing your new career interests on other social networks, too. Word of mouth doesn't fail.
- Make accounts on specialized exchanges exactly in your chosen field. Here in a separate article we wrote about such resources, choose the right ones.
Women in IT
The number of women in IT is increasing every year. The stereotype of a male-dominated profession is gradually crumbling. Fair enough, considering that the first computer programmers were women.
IT is becoming one of the most promising industries for professional development and achieving a work-life balance, which is often more important for women than for men, given the “second shift” - household chores, childcare. In addition, many companies are actively working to increase gender diversity by creating and supporting initiatives to develop women in technology.
There are specialized programs and courses for women to help them learn technical and managerial skills. As well as communities and social projects aimed at increasing the number of women in the IT industry. For example, Women in Tech Ukraine .
Freelancehunt analytics show that now 59% of new freelancers are women. Statistics from previous years showed that freelancing was previously more popular among the male population. Among the areas in which women in IT are actively developing: mobile app design and interface design. You already know where to learn it .
Reuters in turn writes that the full-scale invasion of russia in Ukraine has affected the increase in the number of women in senior positions in Ukrainian IT. And not all of them ask themselves the question “Why do I want to work in an IT company?”. For some, this is a logical development: while men are forbidden to leave the country, women are taking on many important business functions related to finding new clients abroad, bringing a product to international markets, and seeking investment.
Conclusion
The IT market is promising and it doesn't look like the coming years will change this trend. There are options to work in the IT field without experience or even without deep learning of the technical part. Getting into IT from scratch can be done through courses, internships and freelancing.
The IT industry is constantly growing and the demand for developers, testers, analysts and other IT specialists remains high. Companies are looking for employees at all levels, including newcomers in Junior or Intern positions.
Salaries you see. Even in entry-level positions, beginners can earn between $600 and $1,000, and much more as experience grows. There's career growth and international prospects. You can work for international companies without leaving Ukraine.
And in general, the industry is interesting. Working in IT allows you to participate in the creation of new technologies and products, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain or mobile applications. This makes the profession interesting and diverse.
You can learn the profession quickly and find your place in the industry. If interested in a start in UX/UI, get started with a free course!