Baku, September 10, 2025
Average wages in Azerbaijan are on the rise, but new figures show the country still lags behind its South Caucasus neighbors when salaries are measured in U.S. dollars.
According to the State Statistics Committee, the average nominal monthly wage of salaried workers in Azerbaijan reached 1,098 manats as of August 1, marking a 9.5% increase compared to the same period last year. At current exchange rates, that equals roughly $650 per month.
The biggest earners remain in the oil and gas industry, finance, IT, and transport, while education and healthcare continue to trail behind.
How Azerbaijan Compares
Despite the steady growth, Azerbaijan’s wage level is still lower in dollar terms than in Armenia and Georgia.
Armenia: In early 2025, the average nominal salary stood at 333,250 AMD, equal to around $850. Even with a lower cost of living than Georgia, Armenian workers on paper now earn more than their Azerbaijani counterparts.
Georgia: The latest published figures put the average monthly salary at about 2,045 GEL, or $770. However, Georgia’s cost of living is estimated to be 20–25% higher than in Baku, which means Georgian wages don’t stretch as far as they look.
Purchasing Power Tells Another Story
While Armenian and Georgian workers show stronger numbers in hard currency, everyday realities are more nuanced. Food, transport, and utilities remain cheaper in Azerbaijan than in Tbilisi, helping offset the gap. Still, higher prices for housing and imports in Baku continue to squeeze household budgets.
Economists say the key for Azerbaijan will be diversifying beyond oil and gas and boosting salaries in non-extractive sectors. Without that, the headline growth may not translate into real improvements for ordinary families.
