A startup founder recently offered a data-backed perspective on compensation trends in Bengaluru’s technology sector, pushing back against the widely circulated belief that ₹70 lakh per annum salaries are routine in the city. Responding to a social media post that claimed such pay packages are now typical, Vineeth K explained that this impression is largely shaped by selective exposure rather than an accurate reflection of the broader job market.
He emphasized that when the tech ecosystem is examined in segments, the reality becomes far more grounded. A majority of engineers—roughly 60 to 70 percent—are employed by IT service firms such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro. In these organizations, annual salaries generally fall between ₹3 lakh and ₹20 lakh, with extremely high packages being rare and typically reserved for professionals with over a decade of experience.
The next segment includes mid-level product companies and global capability centers, employing about 20 to 25 percent of the workforce. Firms like Oracle, Dell, IBM, and Goldman Sachs fall into this category. Compensation here usually ranges from ₹15 lakh to ₹45 lakh annually, with ₹70 lakh packages limited to the top performers within this group.
A smaller portion of professionals—around 5 to 10 percent—work at well-funded startups and unicorns such as Swiggy, Flipkart, Razorpay, and CRED. Salaries in these companies typically range from ₹20 lakh to ₹70 lakh, often supplemented with stock options, though the higher end represents the upper limit rather than the average.
At the very top are elite firms, making up just 2 to 5 percent of the market. Companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, Uber, and Tower Research Capital offer salaries starting around ₹40 lakh and extending beyond ₹1 crore. Within this narrow segment, ₹70 lakh packages are more frequently observed.
When all categories are considered together, the average salary across Bengaluru’s tech workforce is estimated to be around ₹18–20 lakh per year. This indicates that ₹70 lakh roles fall within roughly the top 5 percent, while a large majority of engineers earn below ₹40 lakh annually.
“80% of engineers earn below ₹40 LPA..” he concluded.
He explained that the perception of such high salaries being widespread is driven by social media visibility, peer group bias, and inflated compensation figures that include bonuses and stock components. In reality, these packages are concentrated within a small, high-performing slice of the industry rather than representing the norm.
He emphasized that when the tech ecosystem is examined in segments, the reality becomes far more grounded. A majority of engineers—roughly 60 to 70 percent—are employed by IT service firms such as TCS, Infosys, and Wipro. In these organizations, annual salaries generally fall between ₹3 lakh and ₹20 lakh, with extremely high packages being rare and typically reserved for professionals with over a decade of experience.
The next segment includes mid-level product companies and global capability centers, employing about 20 to 25 percent of the workforce. Firms like Oracle, Dell, IBM, and Goldman Sachs fall into this category. Compensation here usually ranges from ₹15 lakh to ₹45 lakh annually, with ₹70 lakh packages limited to the top performers within this group.
A smaller portion of professionals—around 5 to 10 percent—work at well-funded startups and unicorns such as Swiggy, Flipkart, Razorpay, and CRED. Salaries in these companies typically range from ₹20 lakh to ₹70 lakh, often supplemented with stock options, though the higher end represents the upper limit rather than the average.
At the very top are elite firms, making up just 2 to 5 percent of the market. Companies like Google, Meta, Amazon, Uber, and Tower Research Capital offer salaries starting around ₹40 lakh and extending beyond ₹1 crore. Within this narrow segment, ₹70 lakh packages are more frequently observed.
When all categories are considered together, the average salary across Bengaluru’s tech workforce is estimated to be around ₹18–20 lakh per year. This indicates that ₹70 lakh roles fall within roughly the top 5 percent, while a large majority of engineers earn below ₹40 lakh annually.
“80% of engineers earn below ₹40 LPA..” he concluded.
He explained that the perception of such high salaries being widespread is driven by social media visibility, peer group bias, and inflated compensation figures that include bonuses and stock components. In reality, these packages are concentrated within a small, high-performing slice of the industry rather than representing the norm.