This article explores the gender gap in starting wages observed among recent university graduates in Russia. The all-Russian administrative data on graduate employment in
2022 is used for the analysis. Given the same level of education, and lack of experience, work mobility, or family status, the observed gender wage gap reaches 22 %. A substantial input is provided by the gender difference in preferences for future professional trajectories. Educational segregation is formed at the early stages of socialization and reflects both the rational choice and family views on gender-specific occupations. Educational characteristics explain only 18 % of the gender difference in starting wages, while job characteristics additionally explain approximately 33 %. Since employers’ actions during the hiring process can also affect the gender wage gap, equalizing the level and quality of education, as well as solving the issue of educational segregation does not directly lead to equal pay at labour market entry.
