The job market is experiencing notable changes this summer, with significant shifts in salary expectations across various sectors. As of late June, employers are beginning to selectively increase pay, particularly for roles that require specialized skills and extensive experience.
In the IT sector, salaries are rising unevenly, reflecting a more discerning market. While the mass hiring of developers has slowed, companies are willing to offer substantial salary increases for professionals with rare skills, especially those proficient in artificial intelligence, data management, and related technologies. According to HR insights from technology vendor Novo BI, the highest salaries are currently commanded by specialists at the intersection of development, infrastructure, data, and AI technologies. Key in-demand positions include DevOps and SRE engineers, Data Science and Data Engineering professionals, AI/ML engineers, cybersecurity experts, solution architects, and team leads.
The most significant salary growth is anticipated in segments related to artificial intelligence, generative AI, DevOps, cybersecurity, and data analytics. The trend indicates that employers are now prioritizing not just programming skills, but the ability to leverage modern technologies to create new products, automate processes, and address business challenges.
Senior-level professionals are seeing particularly high compensation. For example, AI/ML engineers engaged in the development and implementation of AI solutions can earn between 370,000 to 600,000 rubles per month, marking it as one of the fastest-growing market segments. Similarly, Senior DevOps and SRE engineers, responsible for infrastructure automation and cloud platforms, earn around 300,000 to 450,000 rubles, while Data Science and Data Engineering experts command similar salaries. Information security specialists, including Security Engineers and DevSecOps professionals, are also earning in this range. Senior backend developers skilled in Python, Go, or Java can expect salaries between 250,000 to 450,000 rubles.
In the medical sector, salary increases are primarily expected for specialized practitioners and doctors working in private facilities or in regions experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals. According to Ludmila Androaki, HR director at a multi-specialty clinic network, demand is high for not only highly qualified doctors but also those who can integrate medical expertise with technology, such as telemedicine and medical analytics. Compensation in commercial medicine will largely depend on a physician's patient load and procedural volume.
A significant trend for 2026 is the shift away from blanket salary reviews towards targeted adjustments aimed at retaining valuable employees and attracting hard-to-find specialists. Dina Safiullina, HR director at NPF GAZFOND P, noted the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in various fields, including welding, engineering, and information technology, with salary growth in these areas projected at around 10%.
Overall, the key driver of salary increases today is not merely experience but the ability to enhance business efficiency and adapt to variable conditions. Companies are increasingly valuing cross-functional employees—such as sales managers who understand production processes—because they facilitate growth and are thus more likely to see their compensation adjusted favorably.
As the market evolves, these shifts in salary dynamics signal a competitive landscape where specialized knowledge and adaptability are becoming paramount for professionals across industries.
Informational material. 18+.
