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How much do tradespeople earn?
A tradesperson’s income depends on their specialization, qualifications, region and working arrangement. A company salary, payment per project and a self-employed specialist’s revenue reflect different conditions and cannot be compared directly. Revenue from private practice must also cover materials, transport, tools and other expenses.
As of September 28, 2026, Dream Job (in Russian) reports an average monthly salary of 113 000 ₽ for finishing tradespeople in Russia, based on three reviews. The range in this sample is 36 000–190 000 ₽. Three reviews do not represent the entire market: these figures describe individual cases and do not guarantee the same income for another specialist.
One practical reason for this variation is the different payment models. Some people receive a monthly salary, some are paid by the project and others are paid by the hour. Seasonality, the renovation market segment and the location of the work—a city with over a million residents or a provincial area—also affect earnings.
What affects a tradesperson’s earnings?
- specialization, such as tile installation or premium plastering and painting
- reputation and reviews
- the ability to take on turnkey jobs and work with contractors
- their own pricing and transparent estimates.
How much do site supervisors earn?
A site supervisor’s income is linked to the project’s scale, their responsibilities, crew coordination and bonus arrangements. Managing several sites can increase earnings if there is enough time and capacity to control deadlines, quality and material consumption.
As of September 28, 2026, Dream Job (in Russian) reports an average monthly salary of 140 000 ₽ for site supervisors in Russia, based on more than 150 reviews. A frequently reported range in this sample is 100 000–180 000 ₽. These are user-reported figures from one service; they are not an employer’s promise and cannot be applied to other countries.
What affects a site supervisor’s income:
- the level of responsibility, from large sites to small contracts;
- management skills, including logistics and budget control
- the ability to manage several projects at once and negotiate bonuses or a share of budget savings.
How much do interior designers earn?
A designer’s income depends on their experience, city, portfolio, scope of services and workload. A studio employee’s salary should be distinguished from the revenue of an independent practice: in the latter case, the designer pays for client acquisition, software, assistants and other expenses.
As of September 28, 2026, Dream Job (in Russian) reports an average monthly salary of 90 000 ₽ for interior designers in Russia, based on 13 reviews; a frequently reported range is 60 000–120 000 ₽. This small user-reported sample can help you compare specific offers, but it does not establish a standard income for every designer.
A designer can be employed or run an independent practice. In addition to designing a project, the agreed scope of services may include design supervision and sourcing furnishings and materials. Income from these services should be calculated after related expenses and according to the agreements with the client.
What can increase a designer’s income:
- packaging services into clear offers, such as a plan plus specifications or a complete package with ongoing support
- working in the premium segment
- the ability to turn consultations into design projects and design supervision.
How much do construction company owners earn?
An owner’s income depends on the size and economics of the business. Company revenue, its net profit and personal payments to the owner are different measures. High turnover alone does not show how much money the owner has earned.
In a renovation business, the markup on work and materials must cover direct costs, management, marketing, logistics, taxes and risks. First calculate the project’s result after all expenses, then determine how much profit can be paid to the owner without compromising current obligations.
The owner coordinates contractors, subcontractors and managers, as well as additional services such as design and warranty support. Standardized processes and verifiable estimates help control expenses; growth in turnover and margin depends on prices, workload and actual execution.
Main problems that reduce an owner’s profit:
- poor control over key business indicators
- staff turnover
- the absence of a sales system and effective project management.
Recommendations for increasing earnings
1. Specialize and define the scope of your service. Premium tile installation, renovations for rental properties and studio apartment renovations require different skills and calculations. Choose a clear niche and assess demand and costs so you can focus resources on services with viable economics.
2. Show your calculations. A clear estimate and reports on advance payments, work and purchases help the client evaluate your proposal and control the budget. Transparency supports trust; willingness to pay more depends on the service’s value and the terms of the particular deal.
3. Improve project management. Define the stages, people responsible, measurable indicators for crews and reporting procedures. Photo reports and regular checks of the results help identify deviations before they lead to expensive rework.
4. Work with reviews and referrals. Show real completed work, the scope of your service and the result for the client. These examples help explain your price; assess the number and value of new orders using actual enquiries and sales.
5. Expand your services after calculating their economics. Electrical work, furniture, design, subcontractor selection and sourcing furnishings and materials can increase the order value. Before agreeing, assess the expenses, responsibilities and resources, and explain the fee and scope of work to the client separately.
How can the 101 App help you earn more?
You can use the 101 App for project calculations and accounting. The service helps organize information; your final income depends on demand, prices, expenses and management quality.
Estimates and commercial proposals. Preparing a calculation during a meeting helps you discuss the scope and cost of work sooner. Before agreeing, check quantities, prices and exclusions: faster preparation alone does not guarantee an accurate estimate or a new contract.
A fictional estimate in the Forge Construction owner’s account: quantity 20, unit cost 500 and price 700. The difference between the total selling price and cost is 4 000; taxes and overheads are not included here. The estimate is awaiting confirmation and is not a payment. The screenshot shows the Russian-language interface.
Templates and price lists. In the 101 App, you can use a price list and repeat calculations for standard projects. Before transferring a calculation to a new site, check current prices, quantities and the specific work requirements; a ready-made template does not replace this check.
The price list shows items, units of measurement, costs and prices in the Forge Construction owner’s account. The interface in the screenshot is in Russian.
The price-list catalogue shows categories, templates, items and the number of projects using the price list. The screenshot shows the Russian-language interface.
Controlling site expenses. Recording actual costs helps you compare them with the plan and investigate overspending. Assess financial indicators using complete information about work, receipts and expenses.
An expense item in the owner’s fictional Forge Construction project. Actual expenses are zero because the estimate is awaiting confirmation. The project sections and financial summary are visible on the left. The screenshot shows the Russian-language interface.
Working with several projects. Consistent reporting and control procedures help the team exchange information about sites. Increase the number of projects after checking staff capacity: the app alone does not guarantee maintained quality or increased profitability.
At a free presentation of the 101 App, you can discuss how to organize your team’s calculations, expenses and reporting.
