The research is aimed at identifying and analyzing the current directions of wage differentiation in the regions as a factor in the development of the Russian economic space. The indicator of wages in the region without an appropriate adjustment to the price level may give an incorrect idea of the real profitability of labor. The problems of adjusting wages to the price level in the regions of the Russian Federation and foreign countries are considered. Choosing the place of employment, the employee focuses not only on the amount of wages, but also on a number of other indicators. To facilitate such a choice, it would be useful to form a generalized index characterizing the attractiveness of labor in the region. This index can be formed on the basis of several indicators characterizing the region as a place of residence and place of work. The assessment of the degree of interregional wage differentiation in Russia should serve as an information basis for making managerial decisions in the field of income policy, employment policy and migration policy. Regional state authorities and local self-government bodies should take measures to increase the attractiveness of subordinate territories for both investors and hired labor. FUNDING. The article was prepared within the framework of the state assignment of the Institute of Market Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences; the topic of research is Modeling the processes of ensuring sustainable and balanced socio-economic and spatial development of Russia and neighboring countries in order to form the Greater Eurasian Partnership.