IIT Graduate Salary: What Real Earnings Look Like in 2025

When people talk about IIT graduate salary, the average income earned by students who complete engineering degrees at India’s Indian Institutes of Technology. Also known as IIT placements, it’s often surrounded by hype—but the real numbers tell a clearer story. An IIT degree doesn’t guarantee riches, but it does open doors to some of the highest-paying roles in the country, especially in tech, finance, and consulting. The median starting salary for top IITs in 2025 hovers around ₹15-20 lakhs per year, with the top 10% hitting ₹30-50 lakhs or more—especially in roles like software engineering, quantitative analysis, or product management at global firms.

But here’s what most don’t say: software engineer pay, the compensation for professionals building and maintaining digital systems, often in tech companies or startups is the biggest driver of those numbers. Around 70% of IIT grads go into tech roles, and the difference between a ₹12 lakh offer and a ₹40 lakh offer often comes down to the company, the role, and the specific skills—not just the IIT brand. top paying jobs after IIT, careers that consistently offer the highest compensation to engineering graduates in India include AI/ML engineers at startups like Flipkart or Ola, quant roles at hedge funds in Mumbai, and product managers at FAANG-equivalent firms. Even in government jobs like ISRO or DRDO, IIT grads earn more than average, but the real money is in the private sector.

What you won’t find in brochures? Many IIT grads take a pay cut early on to join a startup with equity. Others switch to coding bootcamps or certifications after graduation to boost their earnings. The highest earners aren’t always the ones with the highest CGPA—they’re the ones who built side projects, contributed to open source, or learned to communicate their value. If you’re wondering whether an IIT degree is worth it financially, the answer isn’t yes or no—it’s about what you do after you walk out of campus.

Below, you’ll find real stories, salary breakdowns, and career paths taken by actual IIT graduates—no fluff, no guesswork. Whether you’re a student planning your next move or a parent trying to understand the return on investment, these posts give you the facts that matter.