The Price of Labor Across Regions: Wage Disparities in Georgia

Wage levels vary significantly across Georgia, clearly indicating that the value of labor depends not only on a person’s professional role but also on the region in which they work. According to 2024 data from the National Statistics Office, the average monthly salary in Tbilisi was 2,580 GEL, while in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti it was only 1,060 GEL—a difference of more than two and a half times.

The main driver of this disparity is the economic structure of each region. In Tbilisi, the highest-paying sectors—finance, professional services, and IT—are heavily concentrated. The capital is home to large private and international companies, banks, tech startups, and outsourcing centers that offer competitive salaries to highly qualified workers.

In contrast, the economies of Georgia’s regions are built on different foundations. In Adjara, where the average salary is 2,210 GEL, tourism and service-related sectors dominate. Although income spikes during the summer season, overall wage stability throughout the year remains low.

Imereti (2,080 GEL), Samegrelo (1,860 GEL), and Shida Kartli (1,820 GEL) are regions with notable industrial activity, mid-sized agricultural operations, and some manufacturing. However, the limited presence of high-value sectors keeps average wages from rising significantly.

In Kakheti (1,480 GEL), the economy is primarily agricultural. Kvemo Kartli (1,450 GEL) and Mtskheta-Mtianeti (1,440 GEL) follow a similar pattern—employment is heavily based on physical labor and basic service roles, with fewer opportunities in technology-driven or knowledge-intensive sectors.

Guria’s average wage is 1,300 GEL, while the lowest national average is found in Racha-Lechkhumi and Lower Svaneti—1,060 GEL. These regions lack major employers and have underdeveloped high-value industries. It’s common for residents to migrate to other regions for work, further weakening the local labor market.

In essence, average wages in Georgia are not just a reflection of labor effort—they are shaped by the dominant industries in each region. The concentration of high-value-added services in the capital solidifies Tbilisi’s position as the wage leader, while regions relying on agriculture and basic services continue to offer lower pay.

This asymmetry is more than economic data—it directly affects working conditions, career prospects, and professional mobility. Without broader economic diversification, Georgia’s regions remain unequal spaces of opportunity, where the same work is valued at very different prices.