Move over Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi—new cities are taking the lead in pay growth. According to Indeed’s first PayMap survey, Hyderabad has emerged as the top city for mid-senior level salaries, while Chennai leads for entry-level compensation.
The survey, which covered 1,311 employers and 2,531 employees, revealed that professionals with 5–8 years of experience in Hyderabad earn an average monthly salary of ₹69,700. Freshers in Chennai with up to two years of experience earn about ₹30,100 per month across sectors.
While employees nationwide received an average 15% salary hike over the past year, many still feel their earnings haven’t kept up with rising costs. The mismatch is most pronounced in metros like Delhi (96%), Mumbai (95%), Pune (94%), and Bengaluru (93%). In contrast, cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata are perceived as more affordable.
“The salary dynamics are shifting, and employees are increasingly choosing locations where earnings match living expenses and career prospects,” said Sashi Kumar, head of sales at Indeed India.
From a sector perspective, IT and ITeS continue to lead the compensation charts across all experience levels, reinforcing their dominance in the job market.
Indeed’s findings highlight a growing trend: promising salary growth and livability are no longer limited to the traditional economic hubs, opening new opportunities in emerging cities.