Based on FY 2026-27 market data across all experience levels and employer types in India. In-hand calculated under new tax regime, metro city.
| Experience Level | Typical CTC | Monthly In-Hand (Metro, New Regime) | Annual In-Hand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0-1 yr | Rs. 4.5 LPA | Rs. 32,979 | Rs. 3,95,742 |
| Junior Dev / 1-3 yrs | Rs. 8.0 LPA | Rs. 61,584 | Rs. 7,39,008 |
| Mid-level / 3-6 yrs | Rs. 14.0 LPA | Rs. 1,04,428 | Rs. 12,53,136 |
| Senior Dev / 6-10 yrs | Rs. 25.0 LPA | Rs. 1,75,494 | Rs. 21,05,922 |
| Lead / Architect / 10+ yrs | Rs. 40.0 LPA | Rs. 2,60,033 | Rs. 31,20,391 |
| Basic Salary | Rs. 16,667/mo |
| HRA (50% of basic, metro) | Rs. 8,333/mo |
| Special Allowance | Rs. 14,065/mo |
| Gross Monthly Salary | Rs. 39,065/mo |
| Employee PF | -Rs. 1,800/mo |
| Professional Tax | -Rs. 200/mo |
| Income Tax (TDS) | -Rs. 0/mo |
| Monthly In-Hand | Rs. 37,065/mo |
How Software Developer Salary Grows in India
What Does a Software Developer Earn in India?
Software developers in India form the largest segment of the tech workforce. The term covers frontend, backend, mobile, and full stack developers across IT services, product companies, startups, and MNCs. IT services freshers at TCS, Infosys, and Wipro start at Rs. 3.6 to Rs. 4 LPA. Product company developers start at Rs. 8 to Rs. 15 LPA. The salary gap between services and product widens significantly with experience, making switching from services to product the highest-leverage career move.
What Drives Software Developer Salary in India?
Software developer salary is driven by tech stack (React, Node, Python, and Java pay more than legacy stacks), employer type (product vs services is the biggest factor), problem-solving ability, and portfolio contributions. Developers who switch jobs every 2 to 3 years grow salary 2 to 3x faster than those who stay.
Software Developer Salary by Specialization
Software Developer Salary Across Employer Types
| Employer Type | Typical CTC Range | Monthly In-Hand |
|---|---|---|
| FAANG / Top MNCs | Rs. 20-50 LPA | Rs. 1.1-2.1L/mo |
| Product Startups (Series B+) | Rs. 12-28 LPA | Rs. 83K-1.3L/mo |
| Mid Product Companies | Rs. 7-18 LPA | Rs. 49K-98K/mo |
| IT Services (TCS/Infosys/Wipro) | Rs. 3.5-9 LPA | Rs. 24K-62K/mo |
Software Developer Salary by City in India
| City | Salary vs Base |
|---|---|
| Bangalore | +22% |
| Hyderabad | +15% |
| Delhi NCR / Noida | +12% |
| Pune / Mumbai | +8% |
| Chennai | +5% |
| Tier-2 cities | Base |
New Regime vs Old Regime at Software Developer Entry Level
At Rs. 5.0 LPA CTC, the new tax regime gives Rs. 37,065/mo per month in a metro. The old regime with Rs. 1,50,000 in 80C deductions gives Rs. 37,065/mo. The new regime saves Rs. 0 per year at this CTC.