The survey reveals that career and salary growth are no longer limited to major metro cities. Emerging cities are also offering professionals better salaries and career growth opportunities.
Chennai and Hyderabad Lead the Way
According to the report, Chennai has become the city offering the highest average salary for freshers, with young professionals having 0-2 years of experience earning up to ₹30,100 per month. Meanwhile, Hyderabad is proving beneficial for professionals with 5-8 years of experience. Here, the average salary at mid and senior levels has reached ₹69,700 per month.Balance Shifting in Expensive Cities
The survey indicates that 69% of employees believe their income is less than their city’s cost of living. This problem is particularly acute in expensive cities like Delhi (96%), Mumbai (95%), Pune (94%), and Bengaluru (93%). On the other hand, cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata are considered more affordable and balanced by employees.Average Monthly Salary (in Rupees) in Major Indian Cities
| City | 0-2 Years | 2-5 Years | 5-8 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad (अहमदाबाद) | Rs. 27,300 | Rs. 46,200 | Rs. 69,000 |
| Bengaluru (बेंगलुरु) | Rs. 28,400 | Rs. 46,000 | Rs. 67,100 |
| Chandigarh (चंडीगढ़) | Rs. 26,300 | Rs. 45,500 | Rs. 68,400 |
| Chennai (चेन्नई) | Rs. 30,100 | Rs. 46,600 | Rs. 66,400 |
| Delhi (दिल्ली) | Rs. 26,300 | Rs. 43,600 | Rs. 64,400 |
| Hyderabad (हैदराबाद) | Rs. 28,500 | Rs. 47,200 | Rs. 69,700 |
Relocation Hesitancy on the Rise
Not only high costs of living, but employees are also increasingly avoiding relocation. Around 69% of employees now avoid changing cities due to associated financial, emotional, and practical challenges.Which Sectors Offer Better Salaries?
The IT/ITeS sector leads in salary growth, with the demand for digital and AI-based jobs steadily increasing. Furthermore, the manufacturing and telecom sectors are also offering better salaries, from freshers to senior levels. The average salary for freshers ranges from ₹25,000 to ₹30,500. Professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn between ₹67,000 and ₹85,500. UI/UX designers are now earning comparable salaries to software developers (approximately ₹65,000 per month).
Average Monthly Salary (in Rupees) by Sector in India
| Sector | 0-2 Years | 2-5 Years | 5-8 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automobile (ऑटोमोबाइल) | Rs. 27,000 | Rs. 44,400 | Rs. 65,200 |
| BFSI (Banking and Finance) (बैंकिंग व फाइनेंस) | Rs. 27,300 | Rs. 44,900 | Rs. 65,900 |
| Construction and Real Estate (कंस्ट्रक्शन व रियल एस्टेट) | Rs. 26,000 | Rs. 42,600 | Rs. 62,600 |
| Consumer Durables (कंज़्यूमर ड्यूरेबल्स) | Rs. 26,200 | Rs. 43,100 | Rs. 63,300 |
| E-Commerce (ई-कॉमर्स) | Rs. 27,700 | Rs. 45,600 | Rs. 66,900 |
| Healthcare and Pharma (हेल्थकेयर व फार्मा) | Rs. 27,400 | Rs. 44,900 | Rs. 66,000 |
| IT / ITeS | Rs. 28,600 | Rs. 46,900 | Rs. 68,900 |
| Logistics (लॉजिस्टिक्स) | Rs. 27,600 | Rs. 45,300 | Rs. 66,500 |
| Manufacturing (मैन्युफैक्चरिंग) | Rs. 28,300 | Rs. 46,400 | Rs. 68,200 |
| Media and Entertainment (मीडिया व एंटरटेनमेंट) | Rs. 26,700 | Rs. 43,900 | Rs. 64,500 |
| Telecommunication (टेलीकम्युनिकेशन) | Rs. 28,100 | Rs. 46,100 | Rs. 67,700 |
