---
title: "Salaries in Defense: Where DefTech Outpaces Civilian IT and Where It Lags"
description: "Salaries in Defense: Where DefTech Outpaces Civilian IT and Where It Lags 🤖💰\n\nThe DOU study shows: in defense technologies, developers earn less than in civilian IT, but juniors and DevOps engineers earn more. Also, there is almost no full remote work in DefTech. 📉📈"
date: 2026-08-03T06:56:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/salaries-in-defense-where-deftech-outpaces-civilian-it-and-where-it-lags
tags: [deftech, dou, it-salaries, ukraine, drones]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Salaries in Defense: Where DefTech Outpaces Civilian IT and Where It Lags

![LITAVR drones at an exhibition: symbol of rising salaries in defense, where DefTech outpaces civilian IT](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/03/zarplaty-v-oboronce-gde-deftech-obgonyayet-grazhdanskoe-it-a-gde-proigrivaet/zarplaty-v-oboronce-gde-deftech-obgonyayet-grazhdanskoe-it-a-gde-proigrivaet-1.webp)

The defense technology market (DefTech) presents a complex picture of income distribution. According to the latest DOU study, published by RBK-Ukraine, the median salary in this sector over the last six months has stabilized at $2,500. At the same time, an interesting dynamic is observed within the industry: developer incomes have risen by $350, reaching $3,200.

In a global comparison with the civilian sector, DefTech currently lags behind. The overall median income in defense technologies is $200 lower than in regular IT ($2,500 vs. $2,700). Developer salaries in the "defense" sector also trail general industry indicators by 9% — $3,200 vs. $3,500.

### Specializations where Defense outperforms the market

Despite the overall lag, in a number of narrow specializations, defense technologies significantly outpace the civilian market. The leader in the salary gap is the DevOps & SRE sphere, where specialists earn $1,400 more than their colleagues in IT.

Furthermore, project manager salaries in both sectors have equalized at $2,500. Among all defense technology directions, these roles have the highest median incomes.

### Where incomes are below average

At the same time, specialized DefTech positions demonstrate lower figures. Design engineers receive an average of $2,550, while UAV engineers earn $1,500. The lowest income level was recorded in the HR & Recruiting category — only $1,590.

### The impact of qualification level on income

The experience factor plays a decisive role in salary distribution. Specialists at Lead+, Senior, and Manager levels earn $200–$500 more in civilian IT than in DefTech. The situation changes radically at the start of a career: juniors and entry-level specialists (Intern/Junior) earn more specifically in the defense sector — $1,150 vs. $900 in IT. For Middle-level developers, salaries in both industries have equalized at $2,500.

### Working conditions in DefTech

The industry differs significantly in working conditions as well. The hybrid format remains dominant: 47% of specialists work in a mixed mode. 33% of employees work exclusively from the office, and only 20% have the opportunity to work fully remotely.