A big shift is taking place in the ‘salary outlook’ of India and it’s not happening in the cities you might expect. A fresh salary mapping exercise by job portal Indeed shows that emerging cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad are fast outpacing traditional job hubs in terms of compensation growth.
The findings, part of Indeed’s inaugural PayMap Survey, point to a realignment in how and where talent is being rewarded. The survey, based on inputs from over 3,800 employers and employees, reveals that average salaries across India have risen by nearly 15 per cent in the past year. However, the more interesting findings lie in where the momentum is picking up and it is not just Bengaluru or Mumbai anymore.
Advertisement
Cities Providing the Best Growth in Salary
Among the top nine cities, Hyderabad has topped the list among mid- and senior-level salary charts with professionals who have 5-8 years of experience earning an income up to Rs 69,700 per month. Chennai, on the other hand, leads the entry-level pack, offering freshers (those with up to 2 years of experience) an average monthly pay of Rs 30,100. Ahmedabad, though quieter on the national radar, has leapfrogged ahead of Delhi and even Mumbai at multiple experience levels.
Advertisement
“The salary dynamics are shifting, and employees are increasingly prioritising cities where compensation aligns with both cost of living and career potential. Growth is no longer confined to the biggest metros, opportunity is becoming more distributed,” says Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Indeed India.
Cities Where Salaries Stretch Even Further
For many professionals, rising pay has not been enough to beat the cost of living. Nearly 69 per cent of employees surveyed said their income fails to keep up with expenses in their city of living. The mismatch is most pronounced in high-cost urban centres: 96 per cent of respondents in Delhi, 95 per cent in Mumbai, 94 per cent in Pune, and 93 per cent in Bengaluru reported financial strain.
Advertisement
In contrast, cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata are seen as more balanced markets, where salaries may not be dramatically higher, but day-to-day affordability offers more breathing space.
However, the rising cost of urban life is not the only deterrent; around 69 per cent of employees now express reluctance to relocate, citing not just monetary challenges, but also the emotional and practical demands of relocating to a new place for work.
Sectoral Picture: Tech Still Leads, But Others Are Catching Up
At the sector level, IT and ITeS remain on top of the salary charts, thanks to sustained demand for digital and AI-focused roles. But manufacturing and telecom are inching closer. Mid-career professionals in manufacturing are now drawing up to Rs 68,200 a month, and in telecom, Rs 67,700, not far behind IT’s Rs 68,900 at similar experience levels.
Advertisement
Among entry-level salaries, manufacturing and telecom also remain strong, paying upwards of Rs 28,000. This suggests that even outside the tech bubble, employers are stepping up compensation in response to rising demand for skilled talent.
Roles That Pay Well
Job functions are playing an equally important role in defining earning potential. Product and project management roles still count as top earners, with those in the 5-8 years bracket making up to Rs 85,500 per month. UI/UX design roles, too, are seeing a jump with senior professionals in these roles earning around Rs 65,000, putting them in the same range as software developers.
Across most roles, freshers can expect starting pay between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,500. The real gains, however, seem to kick in after a few years, especially for those in specialised roles with cross-functional responsibilities.
The Geography of Pay Is Shifting
The report says that India’s salary hotspots are becoming more spread out. The idea that only a few big metros offer real career growth is not holding true now. Incomes are rising, but so is awareness among job seekers about affordability, mobility, and long-term value.
For companies trying to attract and retain talent, location is no longer just a backdrop, it is becoming central to the compensation conversation.
