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Russians split on salary satisfaction as younger workers see pay hikes

Gen Z's paychecks jumped 17%, yet many Russians still dream of 120,000 rubles a month. Why the gap between earnings and expectations keeps growing.

The image shows a poster with a map of the Russian Federation, with text and numbers indicating the...
The image shows a poster with a map of the Russian Federation, with text and numbers indicating the location of the Soviet Union. The map is detailed, showing the various cities, rivers, and other geographical features of the region. The text on the poster provides additional information about the map, such as the names of the countries and their capitals.

Russians split on salary satisfaction as younger workers see pay hikes

A recent survey has revealed mixed feelings among Russians about their current salaries. While some groups report growing earnings and satisfaction, many still express dissatisfaction with their income levels. The findings highlight clear differences between age groups in both pay and expectations.

In the first three months of 2025, salaries for Generation Z workers rose by 17% compared to the same period last year. Their average monthly pay now stands at 72,500 rubles. Older millennials also saw a significant increase, with earnings climbing by 16% to reach 98,700 rubles on average.

Overall, 56% of Russians say they are satisfied with their primary job income. Within this group, 14% are completely content with their pay, while 42% feel somewhat satisfied. Generation Z and older millennials report the highest levels of satisfaction, at 62% and 58% respectively. Despite these gains, 42% of respondents remain dissatisfied with their earnings. On average, working Russians would prefer to take home 120,350 rubles per month. The median desired salary sits at 96,880 rubles, closely matching the national average wage. Younger workers tend to have more modest expectations compared to their older counterparts.

The survey shows a divide in how different age groups view their earnings. While younger employees and older millennials report higher satisfaction, a significant portion of the workforce still wants better pay. The gap between current salaries and desired income remains a key issue for many Russians.

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