Starting Salary: What You Can Expect After Graduation

When you finish your degree, your starting salary, the first annual pay you receive after graduating and landing your first full-time job. It’s not just a number—it’s the foundation of your financial independence and career momentum. Many students assume their degree guarantees a high paycheck, but the truth is more mixed. Your starting salary depends on your field, location, school reputation, and even the timing of your graduation. For example, engineering grads in urban centers often start above ₹6 lakh per year, while arts or humanities grads might begin closer to ₹2.5–3.5 lakh. The gap isn’t about talent—it’s about demand.

What you study matters more than where you studied. Degrees in computer science, data analysis, and healthcare consistently lead to higher entry-level salary, the pay level for recent graduates entering the workforce for the first time. But don’t overlook fields like teaching or public service—some government roles offer stable pay, benefits, and faster promotions. Meanwhile, an MBA, a graduate degree focused on business management and leadership can boost your pay, but only if you attend a recognized program and switch industries. Data from 2025 shows MBA grads from top schools saw 40–60% salary jumps, but those from lesser-known institutes often saw little change. Your first job pay, the initial compensation received after completing education and entering employment isn’t just about the number—it’s about growth potential, learning opportunities, and company culture.

Location plays a huge role too. A software engineer in Bengaluru might earn twice what someone in Hamirpur makes for the same role. But cost of living isn’t always higher in big cities—many grads find better quality of life and lower expenses outside metros. Also, don’t assume private companies always pay more. Public sector jobs, especially in education and healthcare, often match or exceed private sector pay when you factor in housing, medical, and retirement benefits.

What you’ll find in these posts isn’t guesswork. It’s real data from recent grads, salary surveys, and hiring trends. You’ll see how salary expectations, the anticipated income level based on education, field, and region line up with reality for engineering, management, and even online degrees. You’ll learn why some degrees pay more upfront, why others pay off later, and how to avoid the traps that leave grads underpaid and frustrated. No hype. No promises. Just what actually happens when you walk out of college with a diploma in hand and a job offer on the table.