HR expert Muradyan explained why women now want to work in factories.

      June 17, 2026 18:40 Society The modern labor market in Russia is undergoing significant changes, and one of the most noticeable trends has been the active participation of women in work at industrial enterprises. The stereotype that factories are an exclusively male domain is gradually fading into the past.

      Reasons for Choosing Factory Work

      More and more women are mastering engineering specialties and skilled trades, striving to build a career in a stable field. At large Russian enterprises, the share of women among all employees is about 30%. For most, this is a conscious choice: 68% of young women applying to factories have already determined their future profession by their teenage years (before 17).

      HR expert and head of the international recruitment agency "AMALCO," Garry Muradyan, noted in an interview with 360.ru that financial stability is one of the key factors attracting women to manufacturing. However, this is not the only aspect.

      "First of all, it's about money. There is stability, predictability. There is a clear career progression, meaning that women are awaited at factories. Some enterprises also offer flexible shift schedules. Moreover, modern workshops are equipped with technological equipment, so everything is in order," he emphasized.

      Salary Levels in 2026

      The size of salaries depends on the industry and region. According to the results of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, in the field of electronics and microelectronics, assemblers and assembly machine operators could expect an income of up to 90,000 rubles per month in the capital and some large cities. In the food industry, line operators and technologists earn up to 85,000 rubles, while in pharmaceuticals, laboratory technicians and packaging operators in clean rooms earn up to 110,000 rubles before taxes.

      In the light industry, seamstresses and quality controllers earn 50-75,000 rubles, while in the chemical industry, analytical laboratory technicians and engineers earn 65-95,000 rubles. In the regions, salaries are lower—35-60,000 rubles. Over the past five years, salaries in the industry have nearly doubled.

      Initially, the growth in women's earnings was higher than that of men, leading to a reduction in the gender gap. However, in 2023-2025, the situation changed: men's salaries grew slightly faster (33.7% compared to 32.2% for women). This is due to a shortage of personnel in professions such as welders, electricians, and assemblers, where men are more frequently hired.

      In-Demand Professions

      The trend of increasing the number of women in industrial enterprises will continue, the expert is confident. Many enterprises are ready to hire female employees without experience, offering on-the-job training programs. The growing interest of young women in technical specialties is supported by the government: the share of women among students in technical fields at Russian universities is about 25%, while in some educational institutions, such as Bauman Moscow State Technical University, this share reaches 50%.

      According to Garry Muradyan's forecast, in the near future, there will be a demand for assemblers, turners, welders, as well as parts testers, coil winders, fillers, laboratory technicians, and quality controllers. Employers also need specialists in radio equipment manufacturing.

      Thus, the Russian labor market is becoming more flexible and inclusive, offering women broad opportunities for professional growth and self-realization in industry. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999-2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When republishing, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.