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annual

salary trends

REPORT 2024 - 25

executive

summary

key

definitions.

across

functions.

executive

summary

weaving a

smart tapestry
of rewards

with talent aspirations and enterprise goals.

Amidst global challenges of geopolitical tensions and rising inflation, Indian companies continue to show intelligent intent and efforts to design innovative and comprehensive rewards programs that balance costs with the imperative to acquire and retain skilled and niche talent.

Every year, the Randstad Salary Trends Report analyses the dynamic business landscape in India — across locations, industries and functions — to serve as an ‘impact barometer’ of India Inc.’s business performance on workforce compensation. The findings of our 2024-25 Randstad Salary Trends Report show a fair stability in average salaries at di erent hierarchical levels. Among the Top 8 tier-1 cities, we see average salaries being closely competitive. Of the six additional tier-2 cities featured in this report, Bhopal, Mysore and Kanpur take the #2, #3, and #4 positions in junior level salaries. These are positive indicators of India Inc.’s intent of improving inclusive employment opportunities across both tier-1 and tier-2 cities.

key

highlights.

what this

report covers.

The 2024-25 Randstad salary trends report analyzes compensation and benefits data and patterns across locations, industries and functions.

locations

8 tier-1 cities & 22 tier-2 cities

industries

top 6 industries across levels

functions

top 6 functions across levels

This year’s study spans more than 100,000 jobs across eight Tier-1 cities and 22 Tier-2 cities. Covering the top six industries and functions, this report analyzes average salaries at the junior, middle and senior management levels.

key

definitions.

Senior

management

  • Experience of 15 years and above
  • Managers of one or more key functions reporting directly to top management
  • Geo/function-wise business heads

middle

management

  • Experience of 6-14 years
  • Executives holding ownership for a sub-function in an organization, reporting directly to senior management

junior 

management

  • Experience of 0-5 years
  • Entry level employees in the corporate job hierarchy, usually involved in the day-to-day functioning of their teams

hot jobs 2024-25.

Top 10 paying jobs for mid-level professionals (6-10 years’ experience).

aws specialist

22.09

architect

21.92

project management

21.64

c++ developer

22.09

building

workforce stability for growth

with resilience

According to the 2023-24 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report, the share of salaried workers with higher qualifications has increased marginally by 0.8 percentage points to 21.7%. The survey also shows that female participation in the labour force has improved, especially in rural areas. The government’s strong focus and initiatives on the following areas is likely to form the bedrock of India’s future economic growth and creation of high-quality employment, which call for advanced education and specialized skills:

marching to ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’

India’s transformative journey to ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ (that aims to launch the nation into a developed entity status by 2047) continues to be marked by resilient growth — in fact, Moody’s November 2024 projections estimates the country’s GDP to grow at 7.2% in 20241, driven by a recovery in consumption and easing of inflation. India has also shown positive signs of long-term investment and job opportunities, as multinational companies turn to this country to achieve growth through cost-optimal operational e iciency.

 

across

functions.

Healthcare makes a phenomenal leap to the first position in middle and senior level salaries with average CTC of INR 28.43 lakhs and INR 43.95 lakhs, respectively.

With the Indian healthcare industry integrating digital technologies and data analytics across research, drug discovery, diagnostics, and manufacturing, there is a surge in job opportunities with competitive salaries. A significant rise in medical tourism, government funding for healthcare infrastructure, and private equity and venture capital investments have also added to burgeoning opportunities. Value-driven innovation leads the industry, and companies are o ering high compensation to specialists, especially in areas such as Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). The second edition of the 2024 Randstad Talent Insights Report also highlights a growing demand for pharmacovigilance analysts to ensure medication safety and regulatory compliance.

How salaries compare between different functions.

Operations – technical moves up to the first spot in junior level salaries with an average CTC of INR 8.14 lakhs. It ranks fourth in the senior level (average CTC, INR 34.86 lakhs) and a close fifth in the middle level (average CTC, INR 17.71 lakhs).


With a strong focus on Industry 4.0, the demand and compensation levels for operations technology roles has surged tremendously across industries, specifically manufacturing, energy and utilities, and infrastructure. These niche roles in the design and maintenance of the company's technical infrastructure — such as automation engineers, system engineers, cybersecurity professionals, design engineers, process engineers, and performance and capacity management specialists — are well-compensated and o er good career development opportunities.

salary trends across

tier - 1 cites

(0-5 years)

junior level

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