Salary in India by role, 2026
What roles really pay across India — by experience, city and company tier. Know your number before you apply or negotiate.
Salary at a glance
Typical mid-level total cash (base + bonus). Tap a role for the full guide.
| Role | Typical range (₹/yr) | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | ₹18L – ₹40L | Read |
| Data Scientist | ₹14L – ₹45L | Read |
| Product Manager | ₹20L – ₹60L | Read |
| Frontend Developer | ₹8L – ₹35L | Read |
| Backend Engineer | ₹10L – ₹40L | Read |
| DevOps Engineer | ₹12L – ₹42L | Read |
| Cloud Engineer | ₹12L – ₹40L | Read |
| UI/UX Designer | ₹8L – ₹30L | Read |
What does a tech job in India pay in 2026?
A mid-level (3–6 years) tech professional in India earns roughly ₹18L–₹40L total cash per year in 2026. Freshers typically start between ₹4L and ₹12L, while senior and staff-level engineers, AI/ML specialists and product managers reach ₹50L–₹1Cr+ at top product companies. Your real number depends on four things: role, years of experience, city, and company tier — which is why OnJob benchmarks every one of its 47,000+ live jobs to your exact profile instead of a generic average.
How much your number grows with experience
Total cash (base + bonus) for popular India tech tracks. Fresher = 0–1 yr, Mid = 3–6 yrs, Senior = 8+ yrs.
| Role | Fresher (0–1 yr) | Mid (3–6 yrs) | Senior (8+ yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | ₹6L – ₹12L | ₹18L – ₹28L | ₹35L – ₹60L+ |
| Data Scientist | ₹8L – ₹14L | ₹18L – ₹32L | ₹40L – ₹70L+ |
| Product Manager | ₹12L – ₹20L | ₹28L – ₹45L | ₹55L – ₹1Cr+ |
| DevOps Engineer | ₹6L – ₹12L | ₹18L – ₹30L | ₹38L – ₹55L |
| UI/UX Designer | ₹5L – ₹10L | ₹14L – ₹24L | ₹30L – ₹45L |
| QA / SDET | ₹4L – ₹8L | ₹12L – ₹22L | ₹28L – ₹40L |
Ranges reflect product and product-led companies in top Indian hubs. Service-company pay typically sits at the lower end; AI/ML specialisations and US-remote roles often exceed the top of each band.
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Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before you create your free profile.
Create My Free Profile What is the average tech salary in India in 2026?
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Mid-level (3–6 years) tech roles in India typically pay ₹18L–₹40L total cash per year, with product companies, AI/ML specialisations and senior levels well above that range.
Which tech role pays the most in India?
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Senior product managers, ML/AI engineers and staff-level software engineers command the highest cash, with large stock components at top product companies — often ₹50L–₹1Cr+ at senior levels.
How do I know if my salary is fair?
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Benchmark against your exact profile — experience, skills, city and company tier — not a generic average. OnJob shows a live salary band and an AI fairness verdict on every job, drawn from 47,000+ live listings.
How much can a fresher expect to earn in tech in India?
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Fresher tech salaries in India usually range from ₹4L–₹12L per year depending on the role and company tier. Service companies (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) start near ₹4L–₹6L, while product and product-led startups pay freshers ₹12L–₹20L or more for strong engineering and PM roles.
Does base salary or total compensation matter more?
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Total compensation matters more, especially at product companies. Base salary is guaranteed cash, but bonuses, joining bonuses, and stock (RSUs or ESOPs) can add 20–60% on top at senior levels. Always compare offers on total cash plus vested equity, not base alone.
Which Indian city pays the highest tech salaries?
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Bengaluru leads on tech pay and offer volume, followed by Hyderabad, Pune, the Delhi-NCR belt (Gurugram/Noida) and Mumbai. Remote roles for US and global companies can pay well above any single city's local benchmark.
How much salary hike should I ask for when switching jobs?
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A 30–50% hike on total cash is common when switching in Indian tech, and 60–100% is realistic when moving from a service company to a product company or up a level. Anchor your ask to a live market band for your exact profile, not to a flat percentage.
Do AI and machine learning roles pay more than standard software roles?
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Yes. AI/ML and data-science specialists typically command a 15–35% premium over comparable general software roles at the same level, because demand far outstrips the supply of experienced talent in India in 2026.
Know your worth on every job
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