As we mark World Engineer’s Day, it’s time to reflect on the shifts shaping India’s engineering landscape—where IT is king, fresh talent is thriving, and experienced professionals are navigating evolving compensation patterns.
Engineering job growth has been steady but modest, increasing by just 1% between September 2022 and September 2024. However, if you’re in the IT sector, there’s plenty to be excited about. The demand for tech talent is surging, and fresh graduates are seeing their salaries rise faster than ever. Despite the ups and downs of senior roles, IT continues to offer some of the most attractive opportunities.
IT Salary Trends 2024: Freshers in the Fast Lane
For IT freshers, 2024 has been nothing short of rewarding. Starting salaries for software roles have jumped by over 50%, with freshers earning up to ₹7.62 lakhs annually. The booming demand for skills in software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity largely drives this surge. If you’re just starting your career in IT, these numbers should give you plenty of reasons to celebrate.
But it’s not only freshers who are cashing in. Professionals with a few years of experience are also riding the wave of rising salaries, especially in cities like Bengaluru, which has become a magnet for IT jobs and holds 29% of all engineering roles in India.
IT Salary Trends (2022 vs 2024)
| Role | Experience | 2022 Min Avg Salary (₹ lakhs) | 2022 Max Avg Salary (₹ lakhs) | 2024 Min Avg Salary (₹ lakhs) | 2024 Max Avg Salary (₹ lakhs) |
| Software | Freshers | 2.97 | 5.03 | 4.12 | 7.62 |
| Experience | 13.94 | 31.12 | 15.83 | 24.08 | |
| Mechanical | Freshers | 2.25 | 3.45 | 3.56 | 6.23 |
| Experience | 11.21 | 14.26 | 11.23 | 17.25 | |
| Electrical | Freshers | 2.20 | 3.45 | 3.55 | 5.25 |
| Experience | 12.51 | 13.23 | 13.50 | 14.58 | |
| Civil | Freshers | 2.24 | 3.51 | 3.25 | 5.52 |
| Experience | 10.50 | 18.34 | 10.53 | 18.35 | |
| Automotive | Freshers | 3.24 | 5.03 | 3.65 | 6.65 |
| Experience | 14.48 | 18.34 | 15.23 | 18.53 |
Experienced Professionals: Navigating a Changing Market
While freshers enjoy a salary boom, it’s a slightly different story for experienced professionals. Senior software engineers have seen their top-end salaries dip by 22.6%—from ₹31.12 lakhs in 2022 to ₹24.08 lakhs in 2024.
What’s behind this? Companies are shifting focus to early-career talent and digital transformation projects, reducing the premium they once placed on seniority. This makes upskilling crucial for experienced professionals who want to remain competitive in an evolving market.
The IT-Non-IT Divide: Where Do You Stand?
One of the most striking trends this year is the widening gap between non-IT graduates and IT job opportunities. While 70% of engineering graduates come from non-IT fields, a staggering 69% of available jobs are in IT. This imbalance is pushing many non-IT graduates to upskill in IT just to stay relevant.
Sector-wise Split of Graduates vs. Job Opportunities (2024)
| Field | Graduates (%) | Job Opportunities (%) |
| IT | 30% | 69% |
| Non-IT | 70% | 31% |
| Electronics/Telecommunications | 21% | 31% |
| Mechanical | 16% | 16% |
| Electrical | 9% | 9% |
| Civil | 6% | 6% |
This might be the perfect time for those in non-IT fields to re-evaluate career options. As IT continues to dominate, gaining tech skills could open lucrative paths for non-IT professionals looking to pivot into the booming tech market.
Bengaluru Leads the Charge
Bengaluru’s reputation as India’s IT capital remains unchallenged. The city accounts for 29% of all engineering jobs, most of which are in IT. Other key cities like Delhi-NCR, Pune, and Hyderabad also offer strong job prospects, although their markets present a more balanced mix of IT and non-IT roles.
City-wise Distribution of Engineering Jobs (2024)
| City | % Share of Engineering Jobs |
| Bengaluru | 29% |
| Delhi/NCR | 15% |
| Pune | 13% |
| Hyderabad | 13% |
| Mumbai | 11% |
| Chennai | 9% |
What Does This Mean for You?
This Engineering Day, the trends highlight one key takeaway—adaptability is the name of the game. For non-IT graduates, the growing demand for tech talent is a call to upskill and make the leap into IT. And for those already working in IT, staying on top of the latest technologies and certifications will keep you ahead in a competitive landscape.
The numbers speak for themselves: freshers, now is your time to shine, and experienced professionals, there’s never been a more critical moment to future-proof your career.
