In 1980 he entered the Department of Management and Applied Mathematics of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and in 1986 graduated from this Institute with the engineer-physicist qualification. Igor Silayev is a Candidate of Physics and Mathematics (1990).

From 1986 to 1992, he worked at the Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics (Moscow) as an intern researcher, junior researcher. He was engaged in mathematical modeling of physical media and processes, development of numerical methods for solving geophysical problems.

From 1992 to 2000 he worked in Moscow in private companies in the field of information technologies and foreign economic activity as an expert, deputy director, director.

From 2000 to 2014 he worked in Federal State Unitary Enterprise Zarybezhgeologia, Moscow (since 2008, Zarybezhgeologia Joint Stock Company) as Deputy, First Deputy General Director.

From 2014 to the present time, Igor Silaev is the General Director of geological company OZGEO.