What is a Good IT Salary in India? Real Numbers and What They Mean

• DATE: 28 04 25
• BY: Neel Patel

If you’re wondering what kind of paycheck you can expect in IT these days, you’re not the only one. The gap between low, average, and high salaries in India’s tech world is wild—it can swing from ₹3 lakh to well over ₹30 lakh a year. Where do you fit in all that? That’s what matters.

The crazy thing: IT jobs still pull in some of the highest starting salaries for freshers in any industry. Even with news about layoffs and hiring freezes, there’s non-stop demand for good developers, data folk, cloud pros, and cybersecurity experts. The real game is picking the right skills and knowing what your work is truly worth.

• Why IT Salaries Matter Right Now
• What’s the Average IT Salary in India?
• Fresher vs. Experienced: How Does It Change?
• Best-Paying IT Roles and Skills in 2025
• Bangalore vs. Pune: City-Wise Comparisons
• How to Boost Your Salary Fast

Why IT Salaries Matter Right Now

India’s tech industry is in the middle of a huge shift. Big companies like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro are fighting over the best talent, while startups keep poaching with fat paychecks and flashy perks. That’s pushed IT salary India levels higher than ever, especially for people with the right computer courses and hands-on skills.

Right now, a good IT salary isn’t just about having money in your bank account—it opens doors. The global push for digital everything (think AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and app development) means your payslip depends on what you know and how quick you pick up tech trends. Even the government isn’t shy about calling IT jobs the backbone of future growth.

“IT exports hit a record $195 billion last year, and the sector keeps hiring—especially in cloud, analytics, and cybersecurity,” says a 2024 NASSCOM report.

With remote work becoming normal since the pandemic, companies are willing to pay more for the top people, no matter where they live. This means folks in Tier 2 or 3 cities can grab almost the same salaries as those in Bangalore or Hyderabad—if they have the right resume.

• The digital skills gap is real; a LinkedIn India survey said 85% of recruiters struggle to find skilled IT candidates.
• Global clients want Indian tech teams for everything from basic coding to advanced AI projects, driving up pay across the board.

If you’re choosing or switching careers, knowing what a good IT salary in India looks like helps you negotiate better, pick the best computer courses, and plan your long-term goals. It’s not just a number, it’s a game-changer for your career and lifestyle.

What’s the Average IT Salary in India?

Everyone wants to know, “What’s the average IT salary in India?” It’s not a simple answer, but here’s the breakdown as of early 2025. For entry-level IT jobs, people typically start at around ₹3.5 lakh per year. Once you hit the mid-level mark, usually after four to eight years, this can shoot up to ₹8-12 lakh per year. For senior folks and specialists, ₹18-30 lakh is common. Top MNCs and startups sometimes throw even more at the right candidates.

Now, let’s look at a quick snapshot by job title. These are real numbers seen on sites like Glassdoor and Naukri in 2025:

Keep in mind, salaries can jump a lot if you work for an international giant, or if you’re in a city like Bangalore where IT salary India levels run higher. Remote jobs with global companies can pay even more since they factor in international rates. No matter where you’re based, your degree, the specific tech skills you have, and your certifications can make a massive difference in how much you take home each month.

Fresher vs. Experienced: How Does It Change?

Salaries in the IT salary India world look completely different depending on where you stand. Freshers just out of campus usually start between ₹3 lakh and ₹6 lakh a year at the big tech companies. If you’re landing a job in high-demand areas like cloud, full-stack development, or cybersecurity, your starting number might push a bit higher—sometimes ₹7–8 lakh, especially at unicorn startups or MNCs.

Experience is like a turbo boost in this industry. With just 2–3 years on the job and a few certifications, a junior developer or QA can double their salary. By the time you’ve crossed five years, pay jumps get even bigger if you’ve kept up with trending skills.

But don’t just go by years. Companies in India actually care more about skills, project exposure, and how well you perform. Got DevOps chops? Know your way around AWS, Azure, or data engineering? Those alone can make you stand out and bag a higher package, even if you’re still in the junior bracket.

You’ll also see bumps when you switch jobs. On average, changing companies in IT gets people a 30–40% salary hike compared to annual hikes in the same job (which are usually just 6–10% for most staff).

Bottom line: Don’t stress if you’re starting low as a fresher. The first couple of years in tech jobs are all about learning smart, picking up new skills, and showing results. The pay curve shoots up fast for those who stay on top of what’s in demand.

Best-Paying IT Roles and Skills in 2025

If you want to bag a top IT salary in India right now, you’ll want to steer towards roles and skills that are absolutely buzzing in 2025. The money isn’t the same everywhere—what you’re skilled at matters way more than just having a tech degree. Here’s where paychecks are really growing, according to this year’s actual job listings and market surveys.

Cloud computing is easily one of the hottest. AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud engineers regularly rake in upwards of ₹15–35 lakh after a few years. If you walk into interviews showing practical cloud project work—think real-world deployments, automation, and security—employers listen. Next up, AI/ML specialists are in serious demand. Folks skilled in Python, TensorFlow, advanced analytics, or just building actual ML models can hit salaries from ₹12 lakh as a fresher to ₹40 lakh or more once they’re experienced.

• Cybersecurity experts: With attacks getting smarter, companies don’t mind paying ₹10–35 lakh for ethical hackers, SOC analysts, or network security engineers who actually know their stuff.
• Full-stack web developers: If you handle both front-end and back-end, know React, Node.js, and databases, decent firms pay ₹7–25 lakh based on your projects—not just your years on paper.
• Data engineers and data scientists: This is the backbone of AI and every “smart” tech solution. Salaries easily cross ₹10–30 lakh for folks who can actually build and scale data systems, not just run scripts.

Here’s a quick look at how salaries differ for some key roles right now:

One big thing: Companies reward people who keep learning and can quickly adapt to new tech. They look for proof—like certifications in AWS, Google, or even hands-on open-source project work. So don’t just get a basic degree or read course notes; get your hands dirty and build something. That’s what makes HR sit up and offer you those big numbers.

Bangalore vs. Pune: City-Wise Comparisons

Everyone always compares IT salary India stats between Bangalore and Pune, and for good reason. These two cities are tech magnets, but the pay and work vibe can be super different depending on where you land.

Bangalore’s been called the “Silicon Valley of India” forever, so it’s no surprise salaries here are usually the highest in the country. In 2025, the average yearly package for a mid-level IT pro in Bangalore is around ₹12 lakh. For folks with cloud, AI, or cybersecurity credentials, it can hit ₹18–22 lakh, especially at big companies or funded startups.

Pune isn’t too far behind, though. It’s got a huge pool of IT companies (Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro, you name it), plus a buzzing startup scene. The average tech salary here for the same level is about ₹9 lakh, and senior roles can go up to ₹16 lakh if you’ve got the right tech jobs skills. Cost-of-living is lower than in Bangalore, so sometimes your take-home stretches further.

Bangalore wins in total income, but Pune’s cheaper lifestyle balances things out, especially if you’re just starting your career. And when it comes to competition? Bangalore can get pretty ruthless for those IT industry jobs, while Pune sometimes feels more approachable, especially for freshers looking to break in after finishing their computer courses India.

A tip: If you’re picking a city, don’t just look at the headline salaries. Think about where you want to settle, how much you’ll actually save, and the kind of projects you’ll get to work on. Both places offer booming opportunities, but the best choice really depends on your career stage and lifestyle goals.

How to Boost Your Salary Fast

Getting a bigger IT salary in India isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. Some pros double their pay in just 3-4 years by making smart moves. Here’s what actually works right now:

• Stack Hot Skills: Right now, cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), data analytics, and cybersecurity are golden. Upskill in these areas and hiring managers notice. Courses and certifications from Google, Microsoft, or AWS can make your CV stand out.
• Switch Companies: Sounds bold, but job-hopping pays. According to TeamLease, switching companies every 2-3 years can bump up your pay by 30-40%. Staying in one place is safe, but hikes are usually just 8-12% per annum.
• Master Negotiation: Don’t accept the first offer. Use real data from sites like Payscale or Naukri to know your worth for your job title and years of experience in IT industry roles. Show proof of your value—completed projects, new skills, certifications.
• Pick the Right City: Salaries in Bangalore are often 20-30% higher than Tier 2 cities for the same IT role. Sometimes, remote gigs let you earn a big-city pay while living somewhere cheaper.
• Take Freelance or Side Projects: Many techies earn extra by freelancing. Platforms like Upwork or Toptal pay better than typical side hustles—plus, side work means exposure to more technologies, which adds to your core value.

"You don’t have to be in the top 1% of engineers, but you do need to be in the top 1% at getting the skills companies desperately want." — Gaurav Munjal, CEO of Unacademy

Speed matters here. The faster you get those trending skills and make smart moves, the quicker your tech job pay jumps. Sitting tight is fine if you want stability, but if you want digits in your account to move fast, take charge.