A recent analysis by Levels.fyi has brought to light the vast salary disparities among software engineers across Indian cities. According to the data, Bengaluru continues to dominate as India’s highest-paying tech hub, with an average annual salary of around Rs 34.98 lakh. In a distant contrast, Ahmedabad sits at the bottom with an average package of just Rs.8.97 lakh, revealing a pay gap of nearly four times between the two cities.
The City-Wise Comparison
The salary wise map highlights a clear regional divide in India’s technology sector. Hyderabad follows Bengaluru closely, offering engineers around Rs. 30.26 lakh per year. The Delhi-NCR region stands third, with average pay touching Rs. 21.38 lakh.
Moving further down the list, Pune and Mumbai offer salaries just below the Rs. 20 lakh mark, while Chennai averages around Rs. 18.29 lakh. On the other end of the list, Kolkata and Ahmedabad remain the lowest-paying cities, with pay packages averaging Rs. 9.15 lakh and Rs. 8.97 lakh, respectively.
What’s Driving the Pay Disparity?
Several factors contribute to this steep difference in earnings. Bengaluru’s position as India’s tech capital makes it home to global IT giants, unicorn startups, and research centers that drive up average salaries. The abundance of opportunities, combined with higher living costs and the presence of international companies offering stock options, results in significantly higher pay.
Meanwhile, cities like Ahmedabad and Kolkata are still emerging in the IT space. They lack the same density of high-paying tech roles, which keeps average salaries lower. However, with the rise of remote work and increasing investment in smaller cities, this gap may gradually begin to shrink.
How Reliable Is the Data?
Levels.fyi’s report is based on verified submissions from professionals who share salary data through offer letters and compensation documents. While the numbers provide a reliable overview, they should be seen as averages rather than absolutes, as individual salaries vary depending on experience, skill set, and company policies.
The Bigger Picture
For professionals in the information technology industry, these insights are valuable when planning career moves or salary negotiations. For employers, the findings underline the intense competition for top talent in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, pushing them to offer more competitive packages.
Moreover, as India’s digital economy continues to expand, the coming years will only reveal whether smaller cities can bridge the wage gap or if established tech hubs like Bengaluru will continue to command a premium in the market.
