Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug has emerged as Russia's highest-earning region, with 65.8 percent of workers earning above the national average salary, according to research published by news agency RIA Novosti.
The region held a notable lead over all other federal subjects, driven by high wages in oil and gas extraction, which serves as the primary industry for the area.
Yamalo-Nenets, situated in northern Siberia along the Arctic Circle, is Russia's main natural gas production center and contains extensive energy reserves.
The study revealed that five northern regions in total recorded a majority of employees earning above the national average wage. All five top-ranked territories rely heavily on resource extraction.
Magadan Oblast placed second in the national ranking, with 57.2 percent of workers receiving pay above the Russian average.
Chukotka Autonomous Okrug followed in third position at 56.5 percent, while Nenets Autonomous Okrug ranked fourth with 52.7 percent of employees exceeding the national benchmark.
Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug, another key oil-producing region in western Siberia, rounded out the top five with 50.1 percent of its workforce earning above average pay.
Extractive hubs dominate top ranks
Magadan Oblast and Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, both located in Russia's Far East, host extensive gold and mineral mining operations. Nenets Autonomous Okrug, situated in the far north of European Russia, relies primarily on oil and gas development.
Other resource-dependent areas also secured places high in the top ten. Sakhalin Oblast, an island region off Russia's eastern coast known for major offshore oil and gas projects, finished in sixth place with 47.8 percent of workers earning above average salaries.
Moscow, the national capital and financial center, ranked seventh with 44.5 percent of employees above the national average, while Saint Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, took eighth position at 43.8 percent.
The Republic of Sakha, also known as Yakutia, placed ninth with 40.9 percent of workers meeting the threshold. The eastern Siberian region is widely known for diamond mining and mineral wealth.
The Republic of Tatarstan, an industrial and manufacturing hub located along the Volga River in western Russia, completed the top ten with 38.9 percent of workers earning above average pay.
Fastest growing salary sectors
The research follows earlier data identifying the occupations with the fastest wage growth in Russia since the start of 2026.
According to job vacancy postings recorded since early 2026, median salaries offered to candidates grew fastest for game designers, call center operators, and train drivers.
