How much do doctors pay in Russia?

Veronika Skvortsova

Minister of Health of the Russian Federation

“According to Rosstat, since 2012, the average monthly salary of doctors, medium and younger personnel has increased by more than 48%, 46%and 75%, respectively,”

Source: TASS It is not a fact that the Rosstat data show even a greater increase in these salaries - in contrast to the results of the surveys of the doctors themselves

According to one of the so -called “May” decrees of the President of Russia (signed by Vladimir Putin on May 7, 2012, that is, on the day of taking office for the current term) , by 2018 the average salary of doctors should double the average salary in the relevant region of the country. And the salary of both average and junior medical personnel is to equal the average in the region. Moreover, already in 2017, as it was directly planned by the government approved by the Government of the phased improvement of the wage system in state (municipal) institutions for 2012-2018.

Based on the data of the Federal State Statistics Service, presented in the section “Salary of certain categories of social and science workers”, the salaries of doctors, nurses, paramedics and nurses have grown significantly over the past five years. Moreover, even more than the Minister of Health indicates. So, the salary of doctors on average in Russia increased from 34,076 rubles a month in 2012 to 53,112 rubles for the first nine months of 2017 (+56%). In all federal districts, it has significantly exceeded the average in the region for five years, however, to the level planned in the “May” decree (200% to the average), it still does not reach. In particular, the current 157% is below the level that was planned by the government program for 2016 (159.6%):

The salary of average medical personnel over five years increased by 51% - to 29,200 rubles a month in 2017, follows from the Rosstat, but in only one of the eight federal districts reached the target level. And when compared with government plans, it remains at the levels that were previously scheduled for 2016 (86.3% to the average salary for this category of state employees):

The most significant growth in five years, according to official statistics, demonstrated the salaries of younger medical personnel - almost 88%, up to 19,640 rubles per month. Nevertheless, and still the average in Russia is 42% lower than the target, remaining noticeably lower than planned earlier even for 2016 (70.5%):

However, in addition to the “official” statistics presented above, there are many “unofficial” assessments in this regard. For example, a survey conducted by the Russian public television (OTR) in early 2017 among five thousand doctors showed that the average salary of doctors in the country is 19 thousand rubles a month. The organizers of the survey also gave assessments of the Academy of Labor and Social Relations, according to which the average salary of a doctor in Russia is 25 thousand rubles a month.

In October 2017, the Community “Doctors of the Russian Federation” conducted its own study of the salaries of doctors. 8 thousand doctors of 34 specializations from 85 regions of Russia were interviewed. According to the results of the survey presented by the community in early December, the average salary of a doctor in the country amounted to 42 196 rubles a month. Even if we assume that the respondents called the amounts received by them, and official statistics reflect only their nominal salary, even before the income tax (personal income tax) is 13%, the difference is noticeably more.

The authors of the study also note that in order to achieve the indicators given in the presidential decrees, the level of the average salary itself was artificially underestimated in the regions. In addition, official statistics reflected the doctor’s income not only at the main rate, but also in additional. The statistics also included the income of the heads of medical institutions, and not just the doctors themselves, which also influenced the indicators. Finally, the actual amount of the salary per bet was also reduced, the authors continue. Therefore, doctors, in order to receive previous income, are forced to work on several bets. A survey of the Community “Doctors of the Russian Federation” showed that the average load for doctors in Russia is 1.45 rates.

“Decrees on raising salaries to state employees are executed only if doctors and teachers work at 2–2.5 rates,” said the chairman of the Just Russia and Economic Development of Russia, the chairman of the Just Russia party, Sergei Mironov, in May 2017 at a joint meeting of the President of the State Council and the President of the President.

Experts of the Higher School of Economics conducted in 2016 their own research - “Satisfaction of doctors with their labor in state and private medical organizations”. In particular, 229 doctors working in state clinics, 195 doctors of departmental medical centers and 45 doctors of a multidisciplinary private institution were interviewed. It turned out that only 11% of state clinics and 71% in the private sector were completely satisfied with their salary. Among the employees of departmental centers of these were 22%.