Baku, August 18, 2025 – New figures confirm that the oil and gas sector remains the undisputed leader in wages across Azerbaijan, with average monthly earnings more than three times the national mean.
According to official statistics, the average monthly nominal salary across the economy in the first half of 2025 reached 1,097 manats, up 9.4 percent compared to the same period last year. But the gap between industries is striking.
Oil and Gas at the Top
Workers in the extractive industries – primarily oil and gas – earn on average 3,733 manats per month, with those directly in the petroleum sector taking home 3,918 manats. This places the sector far ahead of all others, underscoring its continued dominance in Azerbaijan’s economy.
Other High-Paying Sectors
Finance and insurance: 3,032 manats
Professional, scientific, and technical activities: 1,846 manats
Information and communications: 1,535 manats
These sectors, while lucrative compared to the average, still fall well below oil and gas incomes.
The Lower End of the Scale
In contrast, salaries in social services remain modest:
Education: 817 manats
Healthcare and social services: 942 manats
Tourism and hospitality: 792 manats
These sectors, essential to daily life, continue to lag far behind the corporate and extractive industries.
Public vs. Private Sector
Private-sector salaries also outpace the public sector, averaging 1,133 manats against 1,062 manats in state employment.
A Structural Imbalance
The figures highlight a persistent structural imbalance in Azerbaijan’s labor market: high-income opportunities are concentrated in oil and gas, while the majority of workers in education, healthcare, and social services continue to earn wages closer to subsistence levels.
Critical Outlook
Analysts warn that the overwhelming reliance on oil-related wages is a dangerous trend. The country’s income gap between extractive industries and vital social sectors not only deepens inequality but also exposes Azerbaijan to economic shocks. Without stronger investment in non-oil sectors and fairer wage growth in education, healthcare, and services, the labor market risks becoming even more polarized – leaving much of the workforce underpaid while prosperity remains locked inside the oil towers.
