For thousands of engineering graduates, landing a job at one of India’s leading IT companies remains an important career milestone. However, a comparison of entry-level salaries over the past 15 years has sparked new debate on social media. Even as India’s tech industry expands rapidly and IT companies become global giants, many fresh graduates continue to start their careers with salary packages that appear to have barely budged.The discussion got a boost after entrepreneur Swapna Kumar Panda shared a comparison of entry-level salaries, CEO pay and global technology salaries on X (formerly Twitter). By comparison, entry-level salaries at several Indian IT companies have remained largely stagnant, even as executive pay has risen sharply and global technology companies have significantly increased graduate salaries. The article sparks discussions about wage growth, employability and the future of India’s tech workforce.
IT Salary in India : A tale of two salary levels
The comparison highlights the stark contrast between entry-level salaries and CEO pay at several of India’s leading IT companies.Indian IT Companies – Entry Level Salaries and CEO Compensation (2010-2026)
LTI refers to L&T Infotech, which later merged with Mindtree to form LTIMindtree.Data shows that while CEO pay has increased severalfold over the past decade and a half, entry-level pay has only grown slightly in many organizations. This difference has become the focus of current debate.
Global technology tells a different story
The comparison also points to a distinct trend at global technology companies, where starting salaries have increased significantly over the same period.Global Technology Companies – Entry-Level Salaries (2010-2026)
This comparison has prompted many users to question whether salary growth for new engineering graduates in India has kept pace with inflation, productivity and the rapid expansion of the country’s IT industry.
Why don’t new hires’ salaries increase faster?
Industry observers say there are several reasons behind this trend. Indian IT services companies are hiring in droves and competing globally on costs, making standardized entry-level salaries a key part of their business models. At the same time, India produces large numbers of engineering graduates every year, providing employers with a steady supply of entry-level talent.Companies are also placing greater emphasis on professional skills. Graduates with expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and semiconductor technologies typically receive higher job offers than standard campus recruiters.
What does this mean for students?
This message is becoming increasingly clear to students entering the job market. A degree alone may not be enough to earn a higher starting salary.Recruiters place more emphasis on internships, coding skills, real-world projects, certifications, and the ability to solve real-world problems. Students who upskill are more likely to secure senior positions at product companies, Global Competency Centers (GCCs), and AI-focused organizations than those who rely solely on traditional mass recruiting campaigns.It remains to be seen whether Indian IT companies will adjust the new salaries in the coming years. However, the viral comparison has once again brought the discussion around graduate pay, executive pay and the future of India’s tech workforce into focus.Disclaimer: The salary data in the table is based on data shared by Swapna Kumar Panda on X and has not been independently verified by The Times of India. This article is intended to highlight the ongoing public discussion surrounding technology industry salary trends and should not be viewed as an official comparison of company compensation data.