Software engineering remains one of the highest-paying career paths in India, with salaries varying dramatically based on company type, experience, location, and specialization. Here's a comprehensive breakdown for 2026.
By experience level and company type: Freshers (0-1 year): IT Services (TCS, Infosys, Wipro) — ₹3.5-6 LPA. Mid-tier product companies — ₹8-15 LPA. Top product companies (Google, Amazon, Microsoft) — ₹15-30 LPA. Early career (2-4 years): IT Services — ₹5-10 LPA. Product companies — ₹12-25 LPA. FAANG/top-tier — ₹25-45 LPA. Mid-career (5-8 years): IT Services — ₹10-18 LPA. Product companies — ₹20-40 LPA. FAANG — ₹40-70 LPA. Senior (8-12+ years): IT Services — ₹18-30 LPA. Product companies — ₹35-60 LPA. FAANG — ₹60-1.2 Cr.
By city: Bangalore offers the highest average (15-20% above national average), followed by Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, and Mumbai. Delhi-NCR (Gurgaon/Noida) varies widely by company. Tier-2 cities like Jaipur, Kochi, and Indore are growing but typically offer 15-25% less than Bangalore.
By specialization: AI/ML engineers command 30-50% premium over general SDE roles. Cloud/DevOps engineers earn 20-30% premium. Full-stack developers are the most common role with median salaries. Frontend specialists earn slightly less than backend specialists. Security engineers are in high demand with 25-40% premium.
Important context: CTC (Cost to Company) in India includes base salary, allowances, PF, insurance, and sometimes variable pay. In-hand salary is typically 65-75% of CTC. Stock options at product companies can add significant value but are not guaranteed.