Salary · India LPA
Software Engineer salary in India
SDE pay in India spans a huge range: campus and services juniors often land 3.5–8 LPA, while strong product profiles at 5–8 YOE can cross 20 LPA fixed. City, company tier, and stack depth matter more than title alone.
LPA bands by experience
Ranges reflect mixed services + product hiring — not top-decile outliers or internship stipends.
| Experience | Typical fixed CTC band |
|---|---|
| 0–2 years | 3.5–8 LPA |
| 3–5 years | 8–16 LPA |
| 5–8 years | 14–28 LPA |
City and remote notes
- Bengaluru (BLR): often +10–20% vs national mid for product/GCC roles
- Hyderabad (HYD): GCC-heavy; services bands closer to national mid
- NCR (Delhi NCR): wide spread — product pays up, many services roles sit at mid
- Pune: services + auto-tech; usually at or slightly below BLR product
- Remote (India): India-remote product can match tier-1; services remote often at mid
Negotiation tip
Ask for fixed vs variable split in writing before you resign — many Indian IT offers hide 10–15% in variable with vague payout criteria.
Related reading: Salary negotiation in India · SDE salary by YOE
FAQ
What is a realistic Software Engineer salary in India?
For 0–2 YOE, 3.5–8 LPA is common across services and decent product campuses. At 3–5 YOE in product or fintech, 8–16 LPA is a honest band; 5–8 YOE in Bengaluru product can reach 14–28 LPA with strong DSA and system design proof.
Do Bengaluru SDEs always earn more?
Not always. Bengaluru product and GCC roles often pay 10–20% above national mid, but Hyderabad GCCs and Pune services can be competitive for the same employer. Remote India roles from product companies sometimes match tier-1 without relocation.
Should I negotiate SDE offers in India?
Yes — politely and with data. Counter with competing offers or market bands, clarify fixed vs variable, and ask about joining bonus or early review if base is firm. Never resign until the revised offer letter is signed.