Cities with Top Earnings: Krasnodar, Sochi, and Novorossiysk Stand Out for Highest Salaries
Russia's economic landscape is diverse, with cities offering varying opportunities across different industries. A recent report by RIA Novosti has revealed some interesting insights into the average salaries in various sectors across several major cities.
Moscow, the capital and economic powerhouse of Russia, leads the pack. With a minimum wage set at 32,916 rubles as of early 2025, Moscow offers the highest wages overall. The city is a central hub for many industries, likely leading in average salaries for entertainment, sports, and transportation as well. In the IT and communications sector, wages are particularly strong, reflecting the city's status as a tech hub.
Saint Petersburg, another major cultural and industrial hub, offers the second-highest salaries. The city's minimum wage is around 28,750 rubles, slightly lower than Moscow, but salaries in the IT and engineering sectors remain strong. Saint Petersburg is also one of Russia's largest transport hubs, which supports the transportation and storage sector.
Yekaterinburg, an industrial centre with growing job markets in engineering and tourism, also shows promising salaries, particularly in the IT and communications sector. However, sector-specific salary data is less explicit.
Sochi, known for its entertainment and sports industries, boasts an average salary of 99,000 rubles in these sectors. Arkhangelsk and Novorossiysk, on the other hand, offer an average salary of 98,000 rubles in the transportation and storage sector.
Other cities, such as Narьan-Mar and Bratsk, also have notable salaries in their respective sectors. Novosibirsk leads in the IT and communications sector with an average salary of 148,000 rubles, while Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk leads in the extractive industry with an average salary of 445,000 rubles.
Krasnodar, a city known for its IT and communications sector, offers an average salary of 127,000 rubles in this sector. Interestingly, Krasnogorsk, a city within the Moscow Oblast, offers the highest salaries in the IT and communications sector nationwide, with an average salary of 248,000 rubles.
Lastly, Moscow leads in the banking and financial services sector, with an average salary of 293,000 rubles, underscoring the city's economic importance.
In conclusion, Moscow and Saint Petersburg stand out as the cities with the highest average salaries in IT and communications, entertainment and sports, as well as transportation and storage sectors. More detailed sector-specific salary data is not provided in the available sources, but these metropolitan hubs consistently show stronger wages compared to other regions.
The IT and communications sector thrives in Moscow, offering the highest salaries nationwide, reflecting the city's status as a tech hub. Saint Petersburg also boasts strong wages in this sector, making it a significant player in the industry landscape of Russia.