CAREER

Realistic First Job Salary Expectations for Engineering Freshers (2025)

LinkedIn shows 20 LPA offers but here's what most freshers actually get.

LinkedIn shows 20 LPA offers. Your college placement cell talks about "highest package." Let's talk about what most freshers actually get.

The Real Salary Distribution

Salary Range	% of Engineering Freshers	Typical Companies
Below 3 LPA	15%	Small companies, startups
3-5 LPA	40%	TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Cognizant
5-8 LPA	25%	Mid-tier IT, good startups
8-12 LPA	12%	Product companies, top startups
12-20 LPA	6%	Top product companies
20+ LPA	2%	FAANG, top startups, quant firms

What Determines Your Salary

College tier - IIT/NIT vs others (unfair but true)
Skills - DSA, system design, specific technologies
Internships - Prior experience matters
Interview performance - Can you solve problems under pressure?
Luck - Which companies visit, timing, etc.

Realistic Expectations by College Tier

College Type	Median Package	Top 10% Package
IITs	15-20 LPA	40-60 LPA
Top NITs	10-15 LPA	25-40 LPA
Other NITs/IIITs	7-10 LPA	15-25 LPA
Good State Colleges	5-7 LPA	10-15 LPA
Average Private	3.5-5 LPA	8-12 LPA

How to Maximize Your Starting Salary

Master DSA - This is non-negotiable for good packages
Build projects - Show you can build, not just solve puzzles
Get internships - Experience beats everything
Apply off-campus - Don't limit yourself to college placements
Negotiate - Many freshers leave money on the table

Your first salary is just the beginning. With the right skills and job switches, you can 3-4x your salary in 5 years regardless of where you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average fresher salary in India?

For engineering graduates, the average is around 3.5-5 LPA. Top colleges see 8-15 LPA averages. The median is more useful than average - it's around 4 LPA.

Are 20 LPA fresher salaries real?

Yes, but rare. These go to top performers from top colleges or those with exceptional skills/competitive programming achievements. They represent maybe 1-2% of graduates.

How quickly can salary grow?

With the right skills and job switches, you can double your salary in 2-3 years. Staying at the same company typically gives 10-15% annual hikes.