In the Russian labor market, couriers have become the category of operational staff with the highest earnings. According to data from the Russian Advertising Industry Analytical Center, in the second quarter of 2026, the median offered monthly salary for couriers reached 125,550 rubles. This is 23 percent higher compared to last year's figure.
The main reason for the salary increase is cited as a shortage of labor in this sector. Specifically, despite the high demand for courier services, employers are forced to raise payment rates to retain staff. In Moscow, the average monthly income of couriers has reached 140,000 rubles.
Experts note that courier work is physically and mentally demanding. Furthermore, as the market increasingly shifts toward flexible and temporary forms of employment, companies are striving to create competitive conditions to attract personnel. Courier income largely depends on the number of completed orders and work intensity.
According to experts, the trend of rising salaries for operational staff, including couriers, will continue until the end of 2026, although the growth rate may slow down. It is expected that the increase in order volumes in the e-commerce and logistics sectors will keep the demand for couriers at a high level in the future.
