After graduating, she worked as an accountant and economist at large fishing enterprises of the Russian Far East.

Later she was appointed Deputy General Director of the Pacific Department of Fisheries Exploration and Research Fleet allegedly owned by her brother Vladimir Nikolayev.

From 2011 to 2016, Nikolaeva was the deputy of the Legislative Assembly of Primorsky Krai of the 5th convocation.

Since September 2021, she has served as deputy of the 8th State Duma from the Primorsky Krai constituency.

[3][4] In 2018, Nikolaeva supported raising the retirement age, and in 2019, she was among those who approved the Sovereign Internet Law.