Empirical study of wage differentiation in the context of regional specifics of the Russian Federation: theoretical approaches and statistical methods

Abstract

Introduction. The urgency of the problem of wage differentiation in Russia is determined by a number of factors related to the economic, social and territorial features of the functioning of the domestic labor market. Considering that the level of wages is an important indicator of the economic well-being of the population, the study of factors contributing to its uneven distribution is essential for the formation of effective mechanisms of state support and stimulation of economic growth. Given the pronounced dependence of workers' incomes on the specifics of the country's regions, a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of this problem is required. Purpose. Conducting an empirical study of wage differentiation in different regions of the Russian Federation, taking into account their specific features. Materials and methods. The author examines key statistical analysis methods, including regression models and data visualization methods, which allows us to identify trends and patterns in the distribution of wages. Correlation analysis is used to study the relationship between the level of wages and various economic, social and demographic factors. The method calculates correlation coefficients, which allows you to determine the degree and direction of the relationship between variables. Multiple regression analysis is used to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of multiple factors on wages. It provides the ability to model dependencies and evaluate the impact of each independent variable on a significant dependent variable (salary level). As a final stage, tests are conducted on the significance of regression coefficients and checking whether the model corresponds to the normal distribution of residuals. Results and Conclusions. Wage differentiation in Russia is a complex and multifaceted process influenced by various factors. These factors are classified into economic, social and territorial, each of which contributes to the formation of income differences among workers. The analysis of wage differentiation in economic theory is carried out through the prism of various approaches, among which classical, neoclassical and institutional theories stand out. Each of these approaches offers unique insights into the factors that determine wage differences. Classical theory focuses on market mechanisms and working conditions; neoclassical theory focuses on individual productivity; and institutional theory focuses on the role of social institutions and norms. Understanding these approaches allows for a deeper analysis of the causes and consequences of wage differentiation in modern economies. Special attention is paid to theoretical approaches explaining regional income differences, such as the human capital model, the theory of the local labor market, and the concept of regional economic development. The study is based on official statistics and identifies factors affecting wages depending on the economic, social and infrastructural conditions of each region.