Overview of Programmers’ Salaries for 2024

The market for IT specialists continues to develop, and the issue of salary levels remains one of the key issues for programmers, employers, and those who are just planning to enter the profession. In 2024, we saw several changes: the impact of the global market, new technologies, and the demand for certain programming languages and skills. In this review, we will look at the salaries of developers in Belarus and abroad that are relevant in 2024, analyze what factors affect income, and give a forecast for the near future.

Salary Records for Programmers in December 2024

In December 2024, the average salary in Belarus’s IT sector reached a record level over the past five years, amounting to 9,494.6 rubles before taxes. It is an increase of 12.5% compared to December 2023 and almost 28% compared to November 2024.

An increase in the average salary has been observed for six months in a row, which indicates a steady increase in the income of IT professionals. Several factors explain the sharp jump in December:

• Firstly, many companies traditionally pay annual bonuses to their employees at the end of the year, which significantly affects the overall salary level. 
• Secondly, the dollar’s growth, which reached a record high of 3.4614 rubles in December 2024, also reflected an increase in the average salary in ruble terms.

Regarding foreign currency, the average salary in the IT sector in December 2024 was $2,743, which is 3.2% more than in December 2023 and almost 25% higher than in November 2024. Although this figure did not reach the record of February 2022, when the average salary exceeded $3,300, the December level is still a significant achievement for the industry.

The Most Profitable Periods of the Year in the IT Sector

An analysis of salary dynamics in Belarus’s IT sector shows that certain months are traditionally characterized by an increase in the average income of specialists. One of these periods is December when companies pay annual bonuses, which leads to a significant increase in average salaries. For example, in December 2024, the average salary reached 9 494.6 rubles, a record for the last five years.

Another notable period is March when some companies also make bonus payments for the previous year. In March 2024, the average salary in the IT sector was one of the highest in a year.

In addition, February 2022 stands out as a month with a sharp jump in the average salary to 8,800 rubles, which is associated with the massive relocation of specialists and the payment of corresponding bonuses.

Average Earnings in the IT Sector in US Dollars

The average salary in the Belarus IT sector in US dollars varies depending on the exchange rate of the national currency and the economic situation. In December 2024, the average salary was $2,743, which is 3.2% more than in December 2023 and almost 25% higher than in November 2024.

However, in February 2022, the average salary in the IT sector exceeded $3,300, which remains an unsurpassed record.

Comparison of Earnings in the IT Sector in 2023 and in 2024

Comparing the average salaries in Belarus’s IT sector for 2023 and 2024, we can note a positive trend. In December 2023, the average salary was about 8,500 rubles; in December 2024, it reached 9,494.6 rubles, indicating an increase of 12.5%.

In US dollars, the average salary in December 2023 was approximately $2,657; in December 2024, it was $2,743, indicating an increase of 3.2%.

What Factors Influence Salaries in the IT Sector

Salaries in the IT sector result from the impact of many factors that can stimulate and restrain professional income growth. Let’s look at the main ones.

1. Economic situation and currency fluctuations 

The country’s economic situation directly affects the level of salaries. For example, in 2024, the growth of the dollar in Belarus contributed to an increase in salaries in the IT sector in rubles. When the national currency depreciates against the dollar, companies often adjust salaries to remain competitive in the international market, affecting specialists’ incomes.

2. Demand for IT services and new technologies 

There is occasionally an increased demand on the market for specialists with certain skills, which also leads to an increase in salaries. For example, the demand for developers familiar with these areas has increased significantly due to the massive adoption of artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. Such a demand for expertise creates favourable conditions for the growth of salaries and bonuses for such specialists.

3. Bonuses and annual payments 

One factor affecting salaries in the IT sector is bonuses and annual payments. At the end of the year, many companies pay bonuses to employees, which significantly increases the average salary level. It is especially noticeable in December when salaries can be significantly higher than in other months. 

4. Globalization and remote work opportunities  

In recent years, the number of opportunities to work for international companies has increased, which puts pressure on the level of salaries in Belarus. Many IT specialists can work remotely for western companies, receiving higher salaries in dollars, which creates competition in the local labour market.

5. Qualification and experience of a specialist 

As in any other industry, the qualifications and work experience directly affect the salaries. In 2024, experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge in high-demand areas such as software development, cybersecurity, and machine learning will receive the most revenue.

All these factors combine to create a dynamic picture of the IT labour market and shape the salary expectations of specialists and employers.

IT Revenue Forecast for 2025

Revenue forecasting in the IT sector for 2025 depends on several factors, which can significantly affect the industry’s salary dynamics. Considering current trends, we can identify several key aspects determining the income level of specialists in the IT sector this year.

1. Continued growth of digital technologies and demand for IT services

The growth of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, cybersecurity, and cloud computing will remain important. Companies are expected to continue actively implementing these innovations, which will lead to an increase in demand for specialists with the appropriate skills. This can boost salaries for experts in these fields. It is important that professions related to new technologies remain highly paid.

2. Globalization and remote work

The trend towards remote work, which has strengthened in recent years, will continue. This will open up new opportunities for Belarusian IT specialists to work for foreign companies offering higher salaries in dollars. Competition in the international labor market will also impact the level of salaries in Belarus. Employers can offer more competitive conditions to retain talented professionals, increasing the average salary.

3. The economic situation in Belarus

The exchange rate of the national currency and the macroeconomic situation in the country also play important roles in forecasting salaries. If the economic situation remains stable in 2025, then we can expect a moderate increase in the income of IT specialists. If the ruble strengthens, experts may see a decrease in salaries in rubles despite an increase in income in dollars.

4. Bonuses and variable salary components

IT companies often manage to increase employee benefits through bonuses and variable salary components. This factor, which actively affects the income of specialists at the end of the year, will also determine the overall trend towards higher incomes in 2025.

Considering these factors, IT specialists’ average income is predicted to grow in 2025. However, how significant this growth will be depends on the external economic situation, the demand for new technologies, and the level of competition in the global labor market.

Salaries of Programmers outside Belarus in 2024

In 2024, the salary level of programmers outside Belarus showed significant growth, which is associated with the continuation of global trends in technology and changes in international labour markets. While in Belarus, the average salary of programmers in rubles increased significantly at the end of 2024, the incomes of specialists abroad remain significantly higher.

USA

In the United States, for example, the average salary of programmers in 2024 was about 7,000-8,000 dollars per month, depending on specialization and region. High salaries are seen in technologically advanced states such as California and New York, where incomes can exceed $10,000 per month for experienced professionals with deep knowledge in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and software development.

Europe

In European countries, such as Germany and the UK, the average salaries for programmers are also significantly higher than in Belarus. In Germany, a specialist with work experience can expect a salary of about 5,000-6,000 euros per month, while in the UK it is about 4,500- 5,500 pounds. 

For programmers from Belarus, remote work for international companies opens up opportunities to earn significantly higher incomes in dollars or euros, which is becoming an increasingly attractive option. It is important that competition in the global labour market remained high in 2024, which forced employers to offer competitive conditions to attract and retain talented specialists.

Thus, programmers working outside of Belarus continue to earn incomes significantly higher than the national average, which makes the labour market of the international IT industry very attractive to Belarusian specialists.

Conclusion

The year 2024 has become a landmark year for the IT sector, demonstrating wage growth in Belarus and abroad. Record salaries in December 2024 in Belarus, the growing demand for specialists in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, and global changes in the labour market—all these factors influenced the income dynamics of programmers. Programmers working in international companies receive significantly higher incomes in dollars or euros, which makes the opportunity to work in foreign markets attractive for specialists from Belarus.

In addition, PEO services are becoming an important tool for companies wishing to simplify the process of hiring IT professionals in any jurisdiction. These services allow organizations to hire specialists without encountering bureaucratic difficulties, ensuring compliance with local laws and tax requirements. It opens up new opportunities for flexibility in managing international teams, which, in turn, contributes to higher salaries and better conditions for specialists.

Forecasts for 2025 show that wage growth trends will continue, encouraging specialists to improve their skills and actively participate in international projects. In general, the IT labour market continues to evolve, offering specialists increasingly attractive conditions and opportunities for development.