Highest-paid region in Russia is Omsk
Northern and Far Eastern Regions Lead in Salary Rankings in Russia
In a striking contrast to many southern areas, the Magadan Region and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug are standing out for their high salaries.
The Magadan Region, due to its remote and resource-rich nature, ranks high in salary rankings. Employer willingness to pay to attract and retain workers in harsh or less accessible environments, coupled with strong business payment discipline, drive wages higher compared to many southern Russian regions. As a result, in 2021, about one-third of the region's population earned more than 100,000 rubles monthly, which is significantly above the national average salary range of 35,000 to 88,000 rubles per month [1].
Similarly, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug is one of the regions with notably high wages. In this region, about one-third of the population also received salaries above 100,000 rubles monthly, placing it among the top regions for pay in Russia.
Here's a comparison of the approximate salary levels in these regions and the national average:
| Region | Wage Context | Approximate Salary Levels (2024) | |------------------------|----------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Magadan Region | High pay due to remote/resource factors | Around or above 100,000 rubles monthly (one-third population above this level in 2021) | | Nenets Autonomous Okrug | High pay, favorable town vs. countryside dynamics | Over 100,000 rubles for about one-third population; well above national average | | National Average | Varied widely by region | 35,000 to 88,000 rubles monthly (wide disparities exist) |
While the Magadan Region has a slightly higher percentage of residents (52.5%) earning above the national average compared to the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (52.3%), it is important to note that a smaller percentage (15.6%) of residents in the Magadan Region receive a salary twice the national average compared to the Nenets Autonomous Okrug (15%).
In both regions, a significant portion of the population earns above the national average, reflecting regional economic disparities in Russia that have widened in recent years [1].
[1] Source: Russian Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat)
The high salaries in the Magadan Region are primarily driven by its finance sector, given the region's remote and resource-rich nature which encourages strong business growth.
The Nenets Autonomous Okrug, another region with high salary rankings, also benefits from a robust business environment, leading to above-average wages in various sectors, including finance.
