Russian expatriates working for local companies experienced a 14% increase in their average salaries over the past year, as reported by the business newspaper Kommersant, which referenced a survey of freelance professionals.

The demand for remote workers was highest in Russia’s IT, advertising, edtech, and other creative industries, while sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, transport, and construction continued to depend on specialists based in Russia, according to the publication.

Within the IT sector, web developers enjoyed the most significant salary hikes, with an average monthly wage increase of 26%, followed by a 15% rise for programmers. These statistics were sourced from a survey of over 2,000 freelancers conducted by the Russian platform Solar Staff.

Recruiters pointed to a new tax regulation, which limits income tax for remote workers to 13% starting this year, as a contributing factor to the salary growth among expatriate employees, according to Kommersant.

This rise in wages for expatriates occurs alongside a general increase in salaries across Russia. Average monthly earnings reached a 16-year peak in December, with pre-tax income averaging 128,665 rubles ($1,433), based on state data.

For the entire year of 2024, average monthly wages rose by 19.3% year-on-year, reaching 87,952 rubles ($980).

An estimated 700,000 to 1.5 million tech professionals emigrated from Russia following the extensive invasion of Ukraine, driven by concerns over mobilization, political repression, and economic uncertainty.

Despite government initiatives aimed at attracting them back with financial benefits and exemptions from military service, fewer than half are believed to have returned.