When I go to our telegram community Kodik, the most common question is something like this: "Is it really possible for a junee to find a job for 100 thousand?"Let's get to the numbers once and for all - without embellishment or marketing promises.
The harsh truth: figures from the market
According to the largest IT platforms as of January 2026, here's what's happening in the market:
Average salary of a junior developer in Russia:
By country: 70 000 - 110 000 ₽
In Moscow: 90 000 - 140 000 ₽
In St. Petersburg: 80 000 - 120 000 ₽
In the regions: 60 000 - 90 000 ₽
But there is a nuance that programming courses are silent about...
The main secret: not all juns are equal
This is where the fun begins. Your salary as a junior developer depends on technologies, which you own:
Frontend developers
• Starting position: 60,000 - 100,000 ₽
• With knowledge of React/Vue: 80,000 - 120,000 ₽
• TypeScript in the portfolio: +15-20% to offers
Backend developers
• Python jungle: 70,000 - 110,000 ₽
• Java jungle: 100,000 - 140,000 ₽
• Node.js jungle: 80,000 - 120,000 ₽
Do you see the difference? A Java developer from scratch can get 30-40% more than a frontend specialist. Simply because the demand for Java in the corporate sector is higher.
Why do some earn 60k and others 140k?
I analyzed hundreds of vacancies and found a pattern. Here's what real affects your salary:
1. Portfolio > Course Certificate
Employers look at your GitHub, not at a nice diploma. Three real projects with live demos are worth more than any course.
Life hack from Kodik: In our community, we regularly arrange code review projects. Participants receive feedback and improve their portfolio — this has helped dozens of people get their first offer.
2. The technology stack matters
Here are the current statistics on the most in-demand skills in 2026:
Docker/Kubernetes: +20-30% to salary
TypeScript: +15-25% to salary
Experience with databases (PostgreSQL, MongoDB): +10-20%
CI/CD (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI): +15-20%
3. Format of work
Remote work: ₽70,000 - 110,000 (the most popular format in 2026)
Moscow office: 90 000 - 140 000 ₽
Hybrid: 80 000 - 120 000 ₽
Relocation: up to 150,000 ₽ + relocation
Interesting fact: in 2026, remote vacancies for juniors increased by almost 40% compared to 2024!
How to get into the top 15% of juniors with high salaries?
Secret #1: Depth is more important than breadth
Better to know one technology by 80%, than five by 20%. Employers are looking for specialists who can solve real problems, not those who "got acquainted" with a dozen frameworks.
In the attachment Code we built the training on this principle: we do not run on the surface, but immerse ourselves in each topic with practical tasks.
Secret #2: Soft skills are the key
Two developers with the same stack:
First: writes in CV "I know React"
Second: "created an online store on React with a shopping cart, authorization and integration with the payment system"
Guess who they will call? Right - the second one. And they will offer 20-30% more.
Secret #3: Networking is not scary
70% of vacancies in IT are not published at all. They are filled through recommendations. That's why our Telegram community is so important — vacancies from the participants themselves regularly appear there.
Real stories from our community
Maxim from Voronezh
I completed a JavaScript course at Kodik, made 4 projects for my portfolio, and actively participated in discussions in the Telegram chat. After 3 months, I received an offer for 95,000 ₽ for remote work at a Moscow company.
Konstantin from Yekaterinburg
After training, I couldn't find a job for 6 months. I passed a code review in our community, reworked my portfolio, and wrote a more lively resume. Over the next 2 weeks, I received 3 offers: 70k, 85k, and 100k.
Forecast for 2026: what will happen next?
According to market research:
Good news:
Demand for developers continues to grow
Remote format becomes the norm
Average salaries increased by 4% over the year
Not very good:
Competition among juniors has intensified
Portfolio requirements have increased
Without real projects, it is almost impossible to get into IT
And what if you are just starting out?
The most important thing is to start right. Do not chase the number of technologies, but deeply study one. This is the approach we use in Kodik app — structured training from simple to complex, with real projects and community support.
Telegram community: more than 2000 developers of different levels who help each other, share their experience and vacancies. We regularly conduct code reviews, give feedback on portfolios, and discuss real tasks from interviews.