From Rs 4 LPA to Rs 6.5 LPA in four years! Techie in MNC says salary growth in Indian IT sector remains slow

The Indian IT sector is often associated with high salaries. In fact, a recent survey suggested that IT and IT-enabled services (ITeS) remain the highest-paying industries in the country. But a techie’s Reddit post offers a starkly different perspective.

The individual, who claimed to be working in an MNC, shared that they started with a salary of Rs 4 lakh per annum. Even after four years and a promotion to the Project Management team, their pay has only grown to Rs 6.5 lakh per annum.

“I only handle small aspects of projects rather than managing entire projects, which feels a bit limiting,” the techie wrote while seeking advice.


They further added, “While working, I tried exploring different fields like Data Science, Cybersecurity, and Product Management. However, I find coding challenging despite having a Computer Science background. Do you think it would be better for me to switch to another field entirely—like Cybersecurity or Product Management—or should I stay in Project Management and get certified? My main goal is to increase my salary as quickly and safely as possible. I’m currently in a dilemma. Any advice would be appreciated.”

According to Indeed’s recent PayMap survey, freshers in tech roles are earning up to Rs 28,600 a month, while professionals with five to seven years of experience draw around Rs 68,900. The report highlighted that this rise is driven by strong demand for digital and AI-related roles.

Product and project management continue to be among the most lucrative fields, with professionals in the 5–8 years experience bracket making up to Rs 85,500 a month. Interestingly, UI/UX design roles are now catching up with traditional tech roles such as software development, with senior designers earning as much as Rs 65,000 a month.

Responding to the post, one Redditor commented, “I’m in the same boat. I’m not good at coding as I come from a mechanical background. I’m trying to learn ServiceNow (no coding required), as it has huge demand in the market.”

Another suggested, “Enhance your existing skills and go for PMP certification. After that, look for bigger responsibilities and apply to companies that don’t have salary constraints.”

A third advised, “If your goal is a salary jump, stick with project management, get a cert (PMP/CSM, etc.), and switch companies. Cybersecurity and product roles are great but need more ramp-up. A lateral move with certs usually gives the fastest bump.”