- Статьи
- Society
- Indexation of salaries of state employees from January 1, 2026: who is waiting for a powerful increase
Indexation of salaries of state employees from January 1, 2026: who is waiting for a powerful increase
Starting from January 1, 2026, wages will be indexed in Russia for some public sector workers. The increase will amount to 7.6% and will affect the so-called specified categories: teachers, doctors, nursing staff, researchers, cultural workers and social institutions. The indexation is provided for by the draft federal budget and is linked to the projected growth of nominal wages in the economy. Who exactly will be affected by the increase, why there is a different indexation schedule for state employees and whether the increase covers the price increase — in the Izvestia article.
Who will get a salary increase and by how much
The indexation of 7.6% does not apply to all public sector employees at the same time. First of all, we are talking about the so-called specified categories, whose incomes are regulated by separate decisions of the president. This group includes education, healthcare, science, culture, and social workers.
A different procedure is provided for other categories of state employees. Federal government civil servants, employees of federal government agencies, as well as military personnel will receive at least 4%. At the same time, indexation for the military is scheduled from October 1, 2026, which is also reflected in the budget parameters.
This division is related not only to differences in the wage system, but also to the specifics of budget planning. The indexation is part of a broader package of social measures for 2026 aimed at maintaining the incomes of public sector workers in the face of ongoing inflationary pressures.
Why is indexing carried out at different times?
As explained by Galina Sorokina, Director of the Institute of Economics and Finance at the State University of Management, the obligation to index wages is fixed in the Labor Code. However, the mechanism of implementation of this norm differs for budgetary and non-budgetary spheres.
— The indexation of wages for all employees is provided for in Article 134 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation. However, if it is established by other regulations for public sector employees, then in other organizations the employer is obliged to independently issue a local regulatory act," the expert noted.
According to her, traditionally, salary increases for state employees are carried out in two stages. Thus, starting from October 1, 2025, the salaries of military personnel, as well as salaries of civil servants, employees of federal government agencies, federal institutions and civilian personnel of military units, have already been indexed. At that time, the indexation also amounted to 7.6% and corresponded to the expected inflation rate in 2025.
— The remaining public sector employees — teachers, health workers, social services and cultural workers — will receive this increase from January 1, 2026. This division of indexing time reduces the burden not only on the budget, but also on the Treasury," Sorokina explained.
Does indexing cover the price increase?
Despite the stated increase, experts doubt that the 7.6% indexation will fully compensate for the rising cost of living. According to the Central Bank of Russia, the expected annual inflation, as of October 2025, is estimated at 6.5–7.0%, that is, almost at the indexation level. However, the dynamics of wages in the economy as a whole is significantly ahead of this indicator.
— The average salary for a full range of organizations increased by 15% in the first nine months of 2025. Against this background, the indexation of state employees by 7.6% is unlikely to cover inflation and, moreover, does not reduce the gap with the non—budgetary sector," Galina Sorokina emphasized.
Where is the biggest gap with the labor market
According to the expert, the situation varies significantly depending on the industry. For example, wages in the healthcare and social services sector increased by 16% in nine months, but the average income of industry workers is still about 16% lower than the national average.
A similar pattern is observed in culture, sports, leisure and entertainment. Despite wage growth of 15.4% per year, the incomes of workers in these industries lag behind the national average by about 12%.
According to Galina Sorokina, the most difficult situation remains in education.
— Salaries in the field of education increased by 13.9% in nine months, but this did not change the relative position of the industry. The average salaries here are almost 30% lower than the national average," she noted.
The problem is particularly acute among teachers of secondary general education.
"Teachers have the lowest salaries in the education system: their average income in the country lags behind the average salary for all types of economic activity by 37%," the expert added.
What to expect for state employees in 2026
Indexing by 7.6% from January 1, 2026 will partially support the incomes of social workers, but will not solve the systemic problem of budget salaries lagging behind the market. Experts note that without faster income growth in education, healthcare and culture, the shortage of personnel in these areas will persist.
Indexing remains a mandatory and regular tool to support public sector employees. In combination with targeted measures, it should ensure the fulfillment of the State's social obligations.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
