Russia’s drilling operators now earn more than any other blue-collar workers in 2025
Drilling operators have become the highest-paid blue-collar workers in Russia for 2025. Their average monthly wage now stands at 179,237 rubles. This marks a significant rise in earnings for skilled manual professions across the country.
The latest salary figures reveal a sharp increase in pay for several technical roles. Drilling operators top the list, earning 179,237 rubles per month on average. Machine operators follow closely at 172,654 rubles, while lathe operators take third place with 172,200 rubles.
Sorting workers rank fourth, receiving an average of 161,900 rubles monthly. These figures reflect a 42% jump compared to the previous year. Despite the wage growth, no specific companies have been named as offering these higher salaries.
Russia's largest employers—including Gazprom, Rosneft, and Rostec—continue to dominate the labour market. However, no direct connection has been made between these firms and the reported salary increases for drilling inspectors, machine specialists, or other blue-collar roles.
The data highlights a clear upward trend in wages for skilled manual workers. Drilling operators now lead the earnings chart, with several other technical professions also seeing substantial pay rises. The 42% year-on-year increase suggests growing demand for these specialised roles in Russia's job market.
