At the close of last year, analysis from HeadHunter’s youth division revealed a notable wage gap for remote workers, with those employed remotely earning, on average, about 10 thousand rubles less than their on-site counterparts. This year, the trend appears to tilt in favor of salary growth, as many employers signal intentions to raise pay for their teams. The discussion continues as industry observers monitor how compensation strategies evolve in response to shifting work arrangements and market demand.
Remote work and flexible scheduling have become core expectations for many applicants seeking office-based roles. A broad survey indicated that the chance to work remotely and to set a flexible timetable ranked among the top prerequisites people look for in an employer, underscoring a lasting preference for adaptable work-life boundaries even in traditional office environments.
Those who successfully transition to remote formats earlier and adapt to the new setup are increasingly valued by companies. In a broader sense, employers are proactively looking to optimize compensation and conditions, with around six out of ten organizations signaling plans to raise overall salaries as part of attracting and retaining talent in a tighter labor market.
Beyond direct pay, many employers reported readiness to augment the wage fund, allocate more resources toward employee protections, and offer more flexible working conditions, including remote options. This suggests a strategic shift where compensation, benefits, and work arrangements are being aligned to meet the evolving needs of a dispersed workforce while supporting productivity and engagement across teams.
Recent industry findings indicate a shift in Russia, where the share of employees working remotely (including those abroad) has shown signs of decline. The roles most commonly performed in remote modes span programmers, accountants, engineers, sales staff, and account managers, reflecting a mix of technical and client-facing positions that are adaptable to distributed work arrangements. This evolving landscape highlights how organizations balance remote flexibility with operational requirements and the demand for collaborative, innovation-driven environments.