Abstract: The subject of this research is the labor values and orientations within the structure of social potential. The object of this research is the Russian youth from the Volga Regions. Due to transition towards the market relations, the priorities in labor values of the Russian, including youth, have changed. Currently, the problem of transformation of labor values of the youth becomes especially relevant under the conditions of ongoing crises and instability. The goal of this study lies in the analysis of social potential of the youth in labor sphere. The article meticulously examines the value components of labor potential of the modern youth: labor values, attitude to labor and professional orientations; analyzes the impact of the current socioeconomic situation upon labor orientations of modern youth. The research objectives were achieved based on analysis of the materials of authorial sociological surveys among the youth of Volga Region and secondary data analysis of the nationwide studies in the area of labor values of the youth. As a result of the conducted research, the authors acquired the new empirical data on the state and sociocultural peculiarities of social potential of the youth in labor sphere. It is concluded that the basic labor values of modern youth is the high wages, interesting job, career and professional growth. The important conditions for getting a “decent job” is the high qualification and extensive professional knowledge, work with full effort, beneficial connections. Therefore, the labor values and orientations of the Russian youth depend on the ongoing social transformations.