3 February, 2026 (Last Updated)

What is a Good Salary in India for Freshers in 2026

What is a good salary in India for freshers?

When you get your first job offer, this is probably the first question that hits your mind.

Everyone around you has an opinion. Friends compare numbers. Job portals show huge salary ranges. Family members say, “At least you got a job.” And you’re left wondering if the salary you’re offered is good, average, or just too low.

This guide is here to make things simple. It explains what a good salary in India for freshers really looks like based on industry, city, and job type. You’ll understand the average fresher salary, what’s considered an ideal starting salary, and when it’s okay to accept a lower offer.

If you’re starting your career and don’t want to make a wrong decision on your very first salary, read on. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly where you stand and what you should aim for next.

Average Fresher Salary in India

On average, the fresher’s salary in India ranges between ₹2.5 LPA and ₹4.5 LPA. That roughly comes to ₹20,000 to ₹40,000 per month, depending on your role, skills, and location.

This range is considered a good starting salary for freshers in India across most industries.

But here’s the important part: there is no single “right” number. A good salary looks different for different freshers.

What the average numbers really mean

• ₹2–3 LPA: This is common for freshers from non-tech roles, smaller companies, or tier-2 and tier-3 cities. It’s close to the minimum salary in India for entry-level jobs and is often acceptable for a first role focused on learning.
• ₹3–4.5 LPA: This is the average salary range for freshers in India. Many IT services, analytics, marketing, and core engineering roles fall here. For most freshers, this is considered a good salary.
• ₹5 LPA and above: Usually offered to freshers with strong skills, internships, or degrees from top colleges. Product companies, startups, and niche tech roles often pay in this range. This is often seen as an ideal salary for freshers.

Why do fresher salaries vary so much?

• Same degree, different pay: Two freshers with the same qualification can earn very different salaries based on skills and interview performance.
• Industry matters: IT, data, and finance roles usually pay more than general admin or support roles.
• City impact: Salaries in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai are higher due to the cost of living.
• Company type: Product companies and funded startups usually pay more than service-based firms.

A simple way to judge if your offer is good

Ask yourself:

• Does it fall within the average fresher’s salary range in India?
• Does it give learning, exposure, and growth, not just pay?
• Is it reasonable for the city and role?

If the answer is yes, it’s likely a good salary for a fresher, even if it’s not the highest number you’ve heard.

Helpful read: If you’re preparing for interviews and want to target better-paying roles, check out

• Placement Preparation Guide for Students – A Complete Roadmap
• Best Websites for Interview Preparation

Good Fresher Salary by Industry in India

Not all jobs pay the same, even for freshers. Your industry plays a huge role in deciding whether your salary is average, good, or excellent for a first job.

Below is a clear, realistic breakdown of what freshers in India usually earn across major industries. This will help you quickly understand where your offer stands.

1. Information Technology (IT & Software)

• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹7 LPA
• Roles: Software Developer, QA Engineer, Support Engineer, System Analyst

IT remains one of the best-paying industries for freshers in India. Even service-based companies offer stable salaries, while product companies and startups often pay more for strong coding skills.

If you have good programming skills, internships, or project experience, this industry offers one of the highest salary growth rates for freshers.

2. Data Science, AI & Analytics

• Average Salary: ₹4 – ₹8 LPA
• Roles: Data Analyst, Business Analyst, AI Engineer

This is a high-demand, high-paying field. Freshers with hands-on skills in Python, SQL, Excel, Power BI, or machine learning often earn more than traditional IT roles.

Even at the entry level, this is considered an ideal salary range for freshers aiming for fast career growth.

3. Core Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Civil)

• Average Salary: ₹2.5 – ₹4.5 LPA
• Roles: Site Engineer, Design Engineer, Maintenance Engineer

Core engineering salaries start lower compared to IT, but offer strong long-term stability. Companies value practical knowledge, internships, and certifications more than just degrees.

For many freshers, this is a good starting salary, especially if the role offers on-site experience and skill development.

4. Finance, Accounting & Banking

• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹5 LPA
• Roles: Financial Analyst, Accounts Executive, Banking Associate

Freshers with commerce backgrounds, CA-inter, MBA, or finance certifications often land better-paying entry-level roles. This industry rewards accuracy, analytical thinking, and compliance knowledge.

A salary above ₹4 LPA here is usually considered very good for a fresher.

5. Sales, Marketing & Business Development

• Average Salary: ₹2 – ₹4 LPA (plus incentives)
• Roles: Marketing Executive, Sales Associate, Growth Analyst

Base salary may look low, but performance-based incentives can significantly increase earnings. This industry is ideal for freshers who are confident, communicative, and result-driven.

With strong performance, salary growth can be faster than many technical roles.

6. HR, Operations & Administration

• Average Salary: ₹2 – ₹3.5 LPA
• Roles: HR Executive, Recruiter, Operations Coordinator

These roles usually start closer to the minimum fresher salary range in India. However, they offer good exposure to business processes and people management.

It’s a good choice for freshers focused on long-term corporate roles rather than immediate high pay.

7. Government & Public Sector Jobs

• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹6 LPA (plus benefits)

Government jobs may not always offer high starting pay, but they provide job security, allowances, pensions, and steady growth, which many freshers value more than salary alone.

Good Salary for Freshers Based on City & Work Type

Location plays a big role in fresher salaries in India. The same role in Bangalore can pay significantly more than in a smaller city.

On top of that, onsite, hybrid, and remote jobs influence your earnings too. Here’s a detailed breakdown to help freshers evaluate their offers.

1. Bangalore (Bengaluru)

• Average Salary: ₹3.5 – ₹6 LPA
• Roles: IT, Data Science, Product, Startups
• Work Type: Onsite pays the highest, hybrid slightly lower, and remote can match depending on the company
• Insight: Bangalore is India’s tech hub. High demand for skilled freshers means better pay and faster growth.

2. Hyderabad

• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹5.5 LPA
• Roles: IT, Finance, Analytics
• Work Type: Onsite preferred, hybrid common, remote growing
• Insight: Hyderabad is emerging as a tech and finance city. Cost of living is slightly lower than in Bangalore, but salaries remain competitive.

3. Mumbai

• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹5 LPA
• Roles: Finance, Banking, IT, Marketing
• Work Type: Onsite dominant, hybrid common, remote less common
• Insight: The high cost of living makes salaries higher. Freshers in finance and banking get top offers here.

4. Pune

• Average Salary: ₹2.8 – ₹4.5 LPA
• Roles: IT, Engineering, Analytics
• Work Type: Mostly onsite or hybrid, remote slowly increasing
• Insight: Pune offers a good balance of lifestyle and salary, making it ideal for tech freshers.

5. Delhi NCR

• Average Salary: ₹3 – ₹5 LPA
• Roles: IT, Marketing, Sales, Finance
• Work Type: Onsite and hybrid dominant, remote growing
• Insight: Delhi NCR has a mix of corporate offices and startups. Salaries are decent, but competition is high.

6. Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities

Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities like Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kochi, etc.

• Average Salary: ₹2 – ₹3.5 LPA
• Roles: IT services, Sales, Marketing, Core Engineering
• Work Type: Mostly onsite, hybrid slowly emerging
• Insight: Lower salaries are common, but cost of living is much lower. Good learning opportunities, but career growth may be slower initially.

Tips to Maximize Salary Based on City & Work Type

• Target Metro Cities: Higher pay and exposure, but competition is tough.
• Consider Remote Roles: Some remote jobs allow fresher salaries matching metros without relocation.
• Hybrid Jobs: Offer flexibility but slightly lower pay than onsite.
• Skill Premium: Highly in-demand skills (AI, Data Science, Full-Stack Dev) can command high pay even in smaller cities.

Related Reading:

• Placement Preparation Timeline – How to Prepare in Three Months
• AI Mock Interview Tools for Placement Preparation

Factors That Decide a Fresher’s Salary in India

Your starting salary as a fresher is not random. Companies evaluate multiple factors before deciding how much to offer.

Understanding these can help you judge your offer and even increase your salary.

1. Industry: Different industries pay differently. IT, Data Science, and Product companies usually pay higher than core engineering, marketing, or HR roles.

2. City / Location: Metro cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Delhi offer higher salaries due to higher living costs and talent demand. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities often pay less but can offer lower living expenses.

3. Skills & Certifications: Strong technical skills, internships, or certifications can significantly boost fresher salaries. For example, a Python, Data Science, or AI certification can increase your starting pay in IT and analytics roles.

4. College / Academic Background: Degrees from top colleges or recognized universities often attract higher offers. Recruiters trust certain institutions for technical or analytical rigor.

5. Company Type

• Startups & Product Companies: Often pay higher for skilled freshers, especially in tech and analytics roles.
• Service-based / Large Corporates: May offer stable but average pay.

6. Role & Job Responsibility: A fresher role in core engineering with fieldwork may pay less than a tech role with specialized skills. The complexity and impact of the role influence the salary.

7. Negotiation Skills: Even freshers can negotiate. Being aware of industry standards and your value can help secure a slightly higher starting salary.

Quick Tip for Freshers

• Research average salaries for your role, industry, and city before accepting an offer.
• Highlight internships, projects, and skills during negotiation.
• Be aware of perks and benefits, not just the base salary.

Related Reading:

• How to Prepare for Your First Job as a Fresher in India
• Best Websites for Placement Papers

How Freshers Can Increase Their Starting Salary

Even as a fresher, there are smart ways to boost your starting salary without waiting years. Here’s how:

1. Skill Up

• Learn In-Demand Skills: Programming, Data Analysis, AI, Cloud, or Digital Marketing skills increase your value.
• Practical Application: Work on real projects or internships to show hands-on experience.

2. Certifications & Courses

• Relevant Certifications: A certification in your field can justify a higher salary.
• Credibility Boost: Recruiters see certifications as proof of skill and dedication.

3. Internships & Live Projects

• Real-World Experience: Completing internships before your first job can give you leverage in salary discussions.
• Portfolio Advantage: Showcases your ability to handle real tasks, making you more valuable.

4. Negotiate Smartly

• Research Payscales: Know industry and city averages before negotiating.
• Highlight Strengths: Focus on skills, certifications, and projects rather than just experience.

5. Target High-Demand Industries

• Tech & Analytics: IT, Data Science, AI, and Product roles often pay more to freshers.
• Startups & Product Companies: These companies can pay higher than service-based firms for skilled candidates.

6. Remote & Hybrid Opportunities

• Consider Remote Roles: Some companies pay fresher salaries matching metro rates without relocating.
• Hybrid Options: While slightly lower pay than onsite, they offer flexibility and savings.

7. Continuous Learning

• Upskill Continuously: Even after joining, learning new skills can make you eligible for promotions and salary hikes quickly.

Pro Tip: Treat your first job as both a learning opportunity and salary benchmark. A strategic approach now can compound into significantly higher pay in just a couple of years.

Common Salary Myths Freshers Believe

Many freshers in India start their careers with misconceptions about salary, which can lead to poor decisions. Let’s bust the most common myths so you know what’s realistic.

1. “Higher Salary Means Better Job”: A higher-paying role isn’t always better. Growth, learning opportunities, and exposure matter more for long-term career success.

2. “Metro Jobs Are Always the Best Paid”: While metros usually pay more, some remote or tier-2 roles with niche skills can match or even surpass metro salaries.

3. “Internships Don’t Affect Salary”: Relevant internships can increase your starting salary by demonstrating skills and work experience.

4. “All IT Jobs Pay the Same”: IT is vast. Product, startup, and analytics roles often pay more than service-based IT jobs.

5. “First Job Salary Cannot Be Negotiated”: Even freshers can negotiate based on skills, certifications, and market standards. Polite negotiation is usually appreciated.

6. “Low Salary Now Means Low Salary Forever”: Early salary doesn’t determine your career trajectory. Strategic upskilling and smart moves can increase pay quickly.

Tip: Focus on value, growth, and skills, not just numbers. The right first job sets a foundation for higher earnings and better opportunities.

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