In the IT job market, salary trends and hiring patterns saw changes across major cities, with Moscow showing a notable rise in earnings and shifts in demand
Over the course of the year, the average IT salary in Moscow rose by 11.8%. A study from SuperJob highlights that the top salary ceilings for 2023 in the capital were reached by PHP, Python, and C++ programmers, each capped at 500,000 rubles. In a related note, JavaScript developers faced slightly lower maximums at 430,000 rubles, while testers and QA specialists reported the lowest ceiling at 300,000 rubles. These figures reflect the competitive demand for core software development roles in the region.
The same assessment points to a cooling in the overall number of IT, Internet, and telecom job openings across Russia. In February, vacancies declined by 19% year over year, signaling a broader market adjustment after the previous peak period. Despite the drop in openings, the market saw an opposite trend in candidate activity: resumes rose by 38% over the same period. The study identifies the most active recruitment areas as development, programming, engineering, project management, implementation, and ongoing software and systems support and maintenance.
Experts also noted a broader shift in hiring standards: there is a growing tolerance for candidates without traditional informatics degrees. In many postings, programmers are only asked to demonstrate university-level education in about a quarter to a third of cases, with practical skills and project experience often taking precedence. This trend aligns with a broader move in North America and parts of Europe where employers value demonstrated capability and hands-on results over formal credentials.
Industry observers point to the evolving structure of IT teams. A number of organizations are reorganizing job responsibilities to emphasize cross-functional capabilities, streamlined collaboration, and project-based performance. This approach can reduce redundant workloads and increase speed-to-market for software initiatives. In practice, teams that blend development, testing, and deployment responsibilities often deliver more cohesive results, even as roles become more flexible and multi-disciplinary.
From a Canadian and American perspective, the Moscow data resonates with similar shifts observed in large tech hubs. While salary levels vary by market, the pattern of high demand for programming expertise, especially in languages like PHP, Python, C++, and JavaScript, remains consistent. Employers in North America continue to seek developers who can contribute across the lifecycle of a project, from initial design and coding to implementation and ongoing maintenance. The emphasis on skills over credentials is also a point of alignment with hiring practices in many U.S. and Canadian firms, where portfolio work and performance in real-world tasks often carry more weight than formal education alone.
In sum, the latest findings depict a market that rewards technical proficiency while also adapting to a more flexible approach to qualifications. Companies are increasingly prioritizing outcomes and practical experience, even as demand for core programming roles persists. The shifting landscape suggests opportunities for professionals who can demonstrate measurable impact, collaborate across teams, and navigate rapid, project-based timelines. Market watchers expect these dynamics to continue shaping compensation, recruitment strategies, and career pathways in IT across North America and beyond, as organizations strive to balance talent with rapid innovation.