Average Salary in India
Though India is the 5th economy in the world, the country’s average salary is INR 46.861 (USD 557.32) on a monthly basis. At the same time, the annual average salary in India is INR 562,332 (USD 6,687.76).
However, average salaries depend on many factors, such as industry, region, education, occupation, or gender. This article will tackle all of these so you can get a full picture.
Please note:
- All data in this article are based on official statistics and reports, such as the World Economic Forum and OECD. All data is linked at the end of the article.
- The official currency of India is the Indian rupee (INR).
- All figures in the article are gross salaries.
- One INR equals 0.012 USD when writing this article. Please double-check the exchange rate at the time of reading.
Key takeaways
- Average annual salary: INR 562,332 (USD 6,687.76). Source: Tradingeconomics
- Average monthly salary: INR46.861 (USD 557.32). Source: Tradingeconomics
- Median salary: INR 27,300 (324.68 USD). Source: Salary Explorer
- Minimum salary: No salary is set at the national level. Check below the minimum wages per region.
- Gender pay gap: 40% in 2023. Source: Global Gender Gap Insight Report, 2024
- India is the 5th largest economy globally, but reports show that 90% of the Indian population does not earn INR 25,000(USD 297.31). Sources: India Briefing, State of Inequality in India.
- India aims to become a developed nation by 2047. Sources: CBNC
- India is one of the most unequal countries in the world, with 10% and the top 1% of the country holding 57% and 22% of the total national income. Source: Survival of the Richest, WEF
- Since the 2019 Pandemic started, billionaires in India have witnessed a 121% growth in their wealth, while the figure for impoverished (“hungry Indians”) increased to 350 million from 190 million. Source: Survival of the Richest, WEF
Average salary in India
India’s average salary in 2024 is INR 21.100 (USD 250.93) every month, according to Tradingeconomics, with an annual average Indian salary of INR 252.000 (USD 2,996.86).
While industry, region, and other factors heavily influence wages, it is challenging to declare an average salary range or a country’s average salary in India. While an employee based in southern tech hubs like Bangalore and Hyderabad sees higher average monthly salaries, in northern cities like Delhi and Jaipur, employees will have slightly lower average wages.
For that reason, in the next paragraphs of the article, you’ll find the average salary based on several factors so you can define what a decent salary in India would be and also make an informed salary comparison.
Median salary
To have a realistic view of the average salary in India, you need to first have an understanding of the median salary. The median salary is the middle value of earnings in a country and it reflects the earnings in a country better than the average salaries. The average salary in India is calculated by accounting for all salaries in that country, both the lowest and the highest.
On the flip side, the median salary shows a more realistic picture of the typical earnings of a population, as it is the central point of the wage distribution.
That means that 50% of the Indian population earns below the median salary value, while the other half earns below the median salary value.
The median salary in India is INR 27,300, according to Salary Explorer. The report State of Inequality in India shows that 90% of the Indian population does not earn INR 25,000(USD 297.31) as an average monthly salary. At the same time, 1% of the population possesses 57% and 22% of the total average income in their nation.
Minimum wage
India’s minimum wage is complex and it has long been regulated by the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. It is however adjusted by Indian States and the Central Government. It is important to note, too, that minimum wages for Indian employees are set based on various factors.
The two factors weighing the most are the geographical location and whether the labor is skilled or unskilled. The latter is assessed by Governments in categories like unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled on the employee’s pay scale.
As it is set by each State and there is no unanimity in a minimum salary range across India, the report “A Closer Look at Inequality in India” made by the World Economic Forum reflects that had negative effects. The lack of a national average salary as a minimum base and insufficient minimum wage regulations, as well as limited collective bargaining rights lead to income disparities.
Another interesting fact about the minimum wage in India is that the upcoming Code on Wages Act is expected to streamline this by consolidating four labor laws and to offer fair minimum wages across all states. This aim for the basic salary to be enforced into the salary structure is expected in 2025, according to India Briefing.
Check out how the minimum wage differs in different regions of India:
| Minimum Wages for States Across India (per month) (in INR) | |||
| State | Unskilled | Skilled | Highly skilled |
| Andaman and Nicobar IslandsEffective date: July 1, 2024 | 16,458 | 21,762 | 23,920 |
| Andhra PradeshEffective date: April 1, 2024 | 13,248.50 (Zone I) 12,498.50 (Zone II) 12,248.50 (Zone III) | 15,248.50 (Zone I) 14,248.50 (Zone II) 12,748.50 (Zone III) | 15,748 (Zone I) 14748 (Zone II) 13,248 (Zone III) |
| Arunachal PradeshEffective date: April 1, 2023 | 6,600 | 7,200 | NA |
| AssamEffective date: June 1, 2023 | 9,800.50 | 14,239.35 | 18,307.05 |
| BiharEffective date: April 1, 2024 | 10,660 | 13,494 | 16,484 |
| ChandigarhEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 13,659 | 14,334 (I) 14,109 (II) | 14,734 |
| ChhattisgarhEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 10,100 (Zone C)10,360 (Zone B)10,620 (Zone A) | 11,530 (Zone C)11,790 (Zone B)12,050 (Zone A) | 12,310 (Zone C)12,570 (Zone B)12,830 (Zone A) |
| Dadra and Nagar HaveliEffective date: October 1, 2022 | 9,237.80 | 9,653.80 | NA |
| Daman and DiuEffective date: April 1, 2023 | 11,466 | 12,012 | NA |
| DelhiEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 17,494 | 21,215.00 | NA |
| GoaEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 13,598 (Zone A) 13,468 (Zone B) | 16614 (Zone A) 16484 (Zone B) | NA |
| GujaratEffective date: April 1, 2024 | 12,662 (Zone I) 12,376 (Zone II) | 13,234 (Zone I) 12922(Zone II) | NA |
| HaryanaEffective date: January 1, 2024 | 10,924 | 12,646.12 (Class A) 13,278.44 (Class B) | 13,942.36 |
| Himachal PradeshEffective date: April 1, 2023 | 11,250 (I) 10,429 (I) | 13,062 (I) 12,006 (II) | 13,592 (I) 12,580 (II) |
| Jammu and KashmirEffective date: October 17, 2022 | 8,086 | 12,558 | 14,352 |
| JharkhandEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 9,162.11 | 12,652.78 | 14,615.83 |
| Karnataka Effective date: April 1, 2024 | 15106.23 (Zone I) 14,554.43 (Zone II) 14,028.90 (Zone III) 13,528.40 (Zone IV) | 17,539.67 (Zone I) 16,871.99 (Zone II) 16,236.11 (Zone III) 15,630.50 (Zone IV) | 18,941.80 (Zone I) 18,207.35 (Zone II) 17,507.88 (Zone III) 16,841.71 (Zone IV) |
| Madhya PradeshEffective date: April 1, 2024 | 11,800 | 14,519 | 16,144 |
| MaharashtraEffective date: January 1, 2024 | 13,089 (Zone I) 12,493 (Zone II) 11,896 (Zone III) | 14,700 (Zone I) 14,104 (Zone II) 13,508 (Zone III) | NA |
| NagalandEffective date: June 14, 2019 | 5,280 | 7,050 | NA |
| PunjabEffective date: September 1, 2023 | 10,736.75 | 12,413.75 | 13,445.75 |
| RajasthanEffective date: July 1, 2021 | 6,734 | 7,358 | 8,658 |
| TripuraEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 7,420.61 | 9,104.13-12,289.91 | NA |
| Uttar PradeshEffective date: October 1, 2023 | 10,275 | 12,661 | NA |
| UttarakhandEffective date: April 1, 2024 | 12,391-12,539 | 13,838-14,023 | NA |
| West BengalEffective date: July 1, 2024 | 9,956 (Zone A) 9,445 (Zone B) | 12,048 (Zone A) 11,427 (Zone B) | 13,252 (Zone A) 12,572 (Zone B) |
When analyzing the minimum wage for skilled workers in particular, you find that these vary greatly depending on the profession of specialization.
| Category | Area A | Area B | Area C |
| Sweeping and cleaning | 20,228 | 16,926 | 13,572 |
| Watch and ward without arms | 24,648 | 21,412 | 19,084 |
| Watch and ward with arms | 26,728 | 24,648 | 22,412 |
| Construction, maintenance – unskilled | 20,228 | 16,926 | 13,572 |
| Construction, maintenance – semi-skilled/ supervisory | 22,412 | 19,084 | 15,806 |
| Construction, maintenance – skilled/clerical | 24,648 | 22,412 | 19,084 |
| Construction, maintenance – highly skilled | 26,728 | 24,648 | 22,412 |
Average salary by city
The salary landscape across Indian cities reveals distinct regional patterns and economic hierarchies, which are generally observed across all countries.
Mumbai leads with an average annual salary of INR 2,157,630, maintaining its position as India’s financial powerhouse. Bangalore closely follows Mumbai at INR 2,149,235, reflecting its status as the country’s technology hub, with only a marginal difference of about INR 8,000 from Mumbai.
When assessing India’s average salary in different regions, some benchmarks arise:
Tier 1:
- The western region dominates with Mumbai and Solapur (INR 2,115,653)
- Southern tech hub Bangalore maintains a competitive compensation
Tier 2:
- Northern capital Delhi (INR 2,082,071)
- Eastern hub Bhubaneswar (INR 2,031,698)
Tier 3:
- A mix of regional centers, including Jodhpur, Pune, and Srinagar, clustered around INR1.9M
- Twin cities showing identical averages (like Srinagar and Pune at INR 1,930,953)
| City | Average salary/year |
| Mumbai | 2,157,630 INR |
| Bangalore | 2,149,235 INR |
| Solapur | 2,115,653 INR |
| Delhi | 2,082,071 INR |
| Bhubaneswar | 2,031,698 INR |
| Jodhpur | 1,981,326 INR |
| Pune | 1,930,953 INR |
| Srinagar | 1,930,953 INR |
| Hyderabad | 1,897,371 INR |
| Jalandhar | 1,897,371 INR |
| Madurai | 1,846,999 INR |
| Ghaziabad | 1,805,021 INR |
| Navi Mumbai | 1,796,626 INR |
| Nagpur | 1,796,626 INR |
Average salary by age
As in other countries, average salaries vary depending on someone’s age. The more someone progresses in their profession, the higher the salaries. According to Paylab, the salary in India by age starts at a moderate amount of INR 5,905 for professionals under the age of 24, while the highest-paid professionals are between 45 – 54, with an average salary of INR 11,932.
Below is a breakdown of the average salary ranges by age group. You’ll see a gradual increase in the average salary across each age bracket.
| Age Range | 10% | 75% | 90% | Average Salary |
| <24 | INR 3,900 | – | INR 11,937 | INR 5,905 |
| 25 – 34 | INR 3,900 | INR 14,400 | INR 25,181 | INR 10,780 |
| 35 – 44 | INR 3,900 | INR 18,444 | INR 33,639 | INR 13,777 |
| 45 – 54 | INR 3,900 | INR 15,971 | INR 30,678 | INR 11,932 |
| 55+ | INR 3,900 | INR 13,871 | INR 25,002 | INR 10,365 |
Average salary by education
Educational qualifications also come with a monetary advantage in India. According to the Average Salary Survey, the highest salary is received by a professional with a Doctorate Degree. As expected, higher education comes with a good salary, and the lower the degree, the lower the salary will be.
Therefore, employees with Master’s Degrees have lower average salaries ( INR 2,126,111), while someone with a High School diploma has an average salary of INR 1,153,703.
| Educational Level | Average Salary Per Year |
| Doctorate Degree | INR 2,752,407 |
| Masters Degree | INR 2,126,111 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | INR 1,697,592 |
| High School | INR 1,153,703 |
| Below High School | INR 1,112, 499 |
Average salary by occupation
It is well known that India’s IT sector is booming, as it is driven by a skilled workforce, low labor costs, and strong demand for digital services both domestically and internationally. The major IT hubs are Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, and these lead to high-paying roles like software developers, data scientists, and artificial intelligence.
Other high salaries are identified in sectors including banking, financial services, pharmaceuticals, and consulting. Specialized roles in finance, such as investment banking, also offer competitive salaries, drawing skilled talent to urban centers like Mumbai and Delhi. These sectors offer high incomes and drive economic growth by attracting foreign investment and boosting India’s standing as a global tech and financial powerhouse.
Highest salary in India
| Role | Sector | Average Monthly Salary (INR) |
| IT Architect | Information Technology | 202,451 |
| IT Director | Top Management | 180,718 |
| Software Engineer | Information Technology | 168,54 |
| Product Manager – Specialist | Banking | 151,397 |
| Managing Director | Top Management | 146,66 |
| Data Scientist | Information Technology | 142,364 |
| Software Consultant | Information Technology | 141,9 |
| IT Product Manager | Information Technology | 139,081 |
| Lead Developer | Information Technology | 136,659 |
| Chief Executive Officer | Top Management | 131,56 |
Source: Paylab
Lowest average salaries in India
The lowest average salaries in India are in social and education services and for some medical professionals, as seen below:
| Role | Sector | Average Monthly Salary (INR) |
| Nursery School Teacher Assistant | Education, Science & Research | 16,734 |
| Social Counselor | Medicine & Social Care | 18,572 |
| Tailor | Textile, Leather, Apparel | 18,981 |
| Medical Records Clerk | Medicine & Social Care | 19,129 |
| Porter, Information Staff | General Labour | 19,185 |
| Seamstress | Textile, Leather, Apparel | 19,858 |
| Pre-school/School/Kindergarten Nurse | Medicine & Social Care | 19,928 |
| Housekeeper | Service Industries | 19,95 |
| Cleaner | General Labour | 20,11 |
| Postal Worker | Transport, Haulage, Logistics | 20,242 |
Source: Paylab
Gender wage gap
India’s average salaries based on gender differ significantly. India was ranked 129 out of 146 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report, 2024 by the World Economic Forum, and closed 64.1% of its gender gap in the last year. According to the report “A Closer Look at Inequality in India,” India faces the perennial issue of “missing women” from the workforce.
In a CNBC article, an economics professor at New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jayati Ghosh, mentions that India depends on its gender equality to become one of the developed countries, as it aims by 2047.
“There is a deep patriarchy and misogyny within India’s society. That needs to be fixed before the country gets more developed,” Ghosh said .“The image of India becoming more developed is very false [when it comes to gender].”Jayati Ghosh
According to the same report by the World Economic Forum, a salary comparison shows that women earn only 40 Indian Rupees for every 100 Indian Rupees earned by men.
Interesting labor market facts about India
- Rapid economic growth: India has set ambitious goals to become one of the most developed countries in the world by 2047, when it will be the 100th anniversary of its independence. This vision is fueled by significant economic reforms, large-scale infrastructure projects, and an increase in foreign investments, positioning it as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Source: CNBC
- A vast pool of tech talent: Known for its vast tech workforce, India has one of the largest pools of IT professionals globally. With nearly 5 million IT professionals, it is a hub for software development, IT services, and innovation, attracting major companies from around the world for outsourcing and tech solutions. Source: Government of India, Ministry of Electronics & IT
- Labor market challenges: Despite its vast workforce, India faces challenges like informal employment, underemployment, and low labor force participation rates among women. Approximately 90% of the workforce is in the informal sector, where workers have limited job security, benefits, and access to social protection. Source: Employment Policy Department
- Wealth inequality: The “Survival of the Richest” report published by the World Economic Forum at Davos shows the top 1% in India owned more than 40.5% of total wealth in 2021 while the bottom 50% of the population (700 million) had around 3% of total wealth.
- Rise of the gig economy: With growing digitalization and the popularity of flexible working, India’s gig economy is expanding rapidly. Estimates suggest that gig workers will make up a sizable portion of the workforce by the end of this decade, with new platforms creating opportunities for freelancers and contract workers. Source: Business Today
- Young workforce: India has one of the youngest workforces globally, with a median age of 28, which gives it a demographic advantage. This youthful workforce is expected to support India’s long-term economic growth, especially as other major economies face aging populations. Source: Business Today
- Employee protection and labor reforms: Labor protection laws in India have traditionally been complex, with multiple laws governing workers’ rights and benefits. However, recent labor reforms aim to simplify these regulations as research shows that the current labor policies are inadequate compared to other developing countries.
- Rural Economy: Around 70% of India’s population remains rural, with agriculture supporting over half of Indian households. Source: World Bank
- Average salary gap: Average income is around 150% lower than in developed countries, placing India in a lower-income tier among similar economies. Source: Livemint
FAQ
What is the average salary in India in USD?
The average salary in India in USD is 557.32 monthly and USD 6,687.76 yearly. India’s economy is the 5th in the world, however its average salaries are generally lower than in other countries due to different factors mentioned in this article.
What is a good salary in India?
A good average salary in India depends on whether you live in larger or smaller cities or urban areas. However, a general good salary in India is around INR 576,000 per year or INR 48,000 per month.
Is 70k a good salary in India?
Yes, a salary of INR 70,000 per month is generally considered good in India as it significantly exceeds the average salary and allows for a comfortable lifestyle.
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Sources:
https://www.salaryexplorer.com/average-salary-wage-comparison-india-c100?utm_content=cmp-true
https://www.paylab.com/in/salaries-in-country
https://www.averagesalarysurvey.com/india