India Salary Guide 2026 (CTC, Average Pay & Trends)
The India Salary Guide 2026 gives a complete overview of average salaries, CTC structures, and in-hand salary expectations across industries. This guide helps job seekers, professionals, and freshers understand realistic pay ranges in India.
If you are unfamiliar with salary structures, start with our detailed explanation of What is CTC?.
Average Salary in India – 2026
Below is the estimated average salary in India for 2026based on experience levels across industries.
| Level | Experience | Average CTC (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher | 0–2 Years | ₹3 – ₹6 LPA |
| Mid-Level | 3–6 Years | ₹6 – ₹12 LPA |
| Senior | 7–10 Years | ₹12 – ₹25 LPA |
| Leadership | 10+ Years | ₹25 – ₹50+ LPA |
Role-Wise Salary Trends in India (2026)
Software Engineer
Fresher: ₹4 – ₹8 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹8 – ₹16 LPA
Senior: ₹18 – ₹35+ LPA
AI Engineer
Fresher: ₹6 – ₹10 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹12 – ₹22 LPA
Senior: ₹25 – ₹45+ LPA
Data Scientist
Fresher: ₹6 – ₹12 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹12 – ₹20 LPA
Senior: ₹22 – ₹40+ LPA
Product Manager
Fresher: ₹8 – ₹14 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹18 – ₹30 LPA
Senior: ₹30 – ₹50+ LPA
DevOps Engineer
Fresher: ₹5 – ₹9 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹10 – ₹18 LPA
Senior: ₹20 – ₹35+ LPA
Cyber Security Engineer
Fresher: ₹6 – ₹10 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹12 – ₹20 LPA
Senior: ₹22 – ₹40+ LPA
Full Stack Developer
Fresher: ₹5 – ₹9 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹10 – ₹18 LPA
Senior: ₹20 – ₹35+ LPA
Cloud Engineer
Fresher: ₹6 – ₹10 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹12 – ₹20 LPA
Senior: ₹22 – ₹40+ LPA
Machine Learning Engineer
Fresher: ₹7 – ₹12 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹14 – ₹25 LPA
Senior: ₹28 – ₹50+ LPA
QA Automation Engineer
Fresher: ₹4 – ₹7 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹8 – ₹14 LPA
Senior: ₹15 – ₹25+ LPA
Business Analyst
Fresher: ₹5 – ₹8 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹9 – ₹16 LPA
Senior: ₹18 – ₹30+ LPA
Digital Marketing Manager
Fresher: ₹4 – ₹7 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹8 – ₹15 LPA
Senior: ₹18 – ₹30+ LPA
UI/UX Designer
Fresher: ₹4 – ₹7 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹8 – ₹15 LPA
Senior: ₹18 – ₹28+ LPA
Blockchain Developer
Fresher: ₹6 – ₹10 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹12 – ₹22 LPA
Senior: ₹25 – ₹45+ LPA
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
Fresher: ₹7 – ₹12 LPA
Mid-Level: ₹14 – ₹25 LPA
Senior: ₹28 – ₹50+ LPA
CTC vs In-Hand Salary in India
Your CTC is not your monthly salary. A ₹10 LPA CTC typically results in ₹60,000–₹70,000 monthly in-hand after deductions like PF and income tax.
👉 Use our CTC to In-Hand Salary Calculator to calculate your exact take-home pay.
Salary Growth Trends in India (2026)
- IT & Tech salaries grew by 10–20%
- AI & Data roles saw the highest salary hikes
- Product-based companies pay 30–50% more than service firms
- Remote and global roles are rising across India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the average salary in India in 2026?
The average salary in India in 2026 ranges from ₹3–6 LPA for freshers, ₹6–12 LPA for mid-level professionals, and ₹12–25+ LPA for senior roles, depending on experience and industry.
Is CTC the same as in-hand salary?
No. CTC includes PF, gratuity, bonuses, and benefits. In-hand salary is what you receive after deductions like tax and PF.
Which jobs pay the highest salary in India in 2026?
AI engineers, senior software engineers, product managers, data scientists, and leadership roles offer the highest salaries in India in 2026.
How can I calculate my take-home salary from CTC?
You can calculate your take-home salary using our CTC to In-Hand Salary Calculator by accounting for PF, income tax, and other deductions.
The India Salary Guide 2026 helps you set realistic salary expectations, negotiate better offers, and understand the difference between CTC and in-hand salary. Always focus on take-home pay—not just CTC—when evaluating offers.