Approximately 45,000 Russians are receiving more than a million rubles in monthly payments.
Booming High-Income Sectors in Russia: IT, Trade, and Finance
New data reveals a significant shift in high-income earners in Russia, with professionals in the information and communications (IT), trade, and financial and insurance sectors experiencing wage growth and expanding middle-class inclusion.
According to a study by RIA Novosti based on Rosstat data, over 45,000 Russians had a monthly salary exceeding one million rubles in 2025. This represents an increase from 24,400 people in 2023, marking a growth of 90.2%.
The information and communications sector leads the pack, with 9,900 people earning more than 1 million rubles per month. This is followed by trade with 6,700 people and financial and insurance companies with 6,200 individuals in the same income bracket.
The share of Russians earning more than 1 million rubles in 2025 was 0.16% of the total workforce, up from 0.08% in 2023.
The study, which involved 28.4 million people from 95,400 organizations (excluding small businesses), also found that 5,301 people earned more than 3 million rubles per month in 2025, and 5,728 people earned between 2 and 3 million rubles per month.
In 2024, top managers' incomes grew, with 68% of company leaders reporting growth. Furthermore, a third of the surveyed company leaders saw an increase of over 15%, while 23% reported a 7% increase in income, and for 40% of the leaders, the increase was between 8-10%.
The growth in these sectors contrasts with broader economic challenges, such as rising inflation and high interest rates. However, the IT sector remains one of the more resilient and better-paying parts of the economy.
Increased consumer spending, especially among the 30 to 44 age group who often support families and households, suggests that middle and higher-income earners are actively participating in retail and commerce, boosting the trade sector.
The financial and insurance industries are also part of this trend as they are generally linked with higher incomes and have benefited from economic policies. However, broad economic uncertainties and inflation could moderate their growth.
This trend reflects sectoral resilience and a shifting economic structure where knowledge-based and service industries are increasingly significant for high-income groups. The overall economic environment includes rising government spending, inflation nearing or exceeding 9%, and high Central Bank interest rates (up to 21%), which affect investment and borrowing costs. Nevertheless, these sectors remain important sources of high-income employment.
[1] Source: RIA Novosti, 2025 [4] Source: Central Bank of Russia, 2025 [5] Source: Ministry of Finance, 2025
- The financial and insurance sectors, highlighted as important sources of high-income employment, have benefited from economic policies.
- The booming business sectors in Russia, such as IT, trade, and finance, are experiencing wage growth and expanding middle-class inclusion.
