For years, doing an MBA in India has been almost like buying a ticket for a better career. Students across the country sit through endless coaching classes, practice mock tests, and dream of cracking exams like CAT, XAT, NMAT or SNAP. The dream is simple: get into one of the top MBA colleges in India, spend two years on case studies and group projects, and then walk out with a shiny job and a fat salary.

But reality is a bit more layered than that. Generally, fees for MBA programmes in India run anywhere between six lakh in a state university to more than thirty lakh in an IIM or ISB. So naturally, every student keeps asking the same thing: what is the salary after MBA in India?

The answer, honestly, is “it depends.” MBA salary in India varies significantly. Some graduates walk away with ₹30 lakh packages, a few touch one crore, and for many others, the starting MBA salary is ₹6–7 lakh. The difference in salary of MBA graduates in India depends on various factors such as the institute, the specialisation, the sector, the city, and even the timing of placements.

Average MBA Salary in India

On an average level, MBAs in India earn between ₹6 and ₹12 lakh per year when they start. But averages hide the real story. You need to look at where those salaries are coming from.

If you studied at IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, or Calcutta, your “average” might look like ₹25 to ₹35 lakh. That’s because these schools are considered on par with global business schools, and recruiters like McKinsey or JP Morgan fly down specifically to hire here.

The next category includes schools such as FMS Delhi, XLRI Jamshedpur, SPJIMR Mumbai, and MDI Gurgaon. They offer averages around ₹18–25 lakh, which are still excellent numbers considering their fees are often lower than those of the IIMs. FMS is primarily known for its high ROI, as the fees are under ₹2 lakh, but salaries can reach ₹ 20 lakh and above.

Then come the well-known private schools: SIBM Pune, SCMHRD, NMIMS, TAPMI, Great Lakes and so on. Their averages range between ₹10 to ₹18 lakh. Finally, state university programs or tier-three colleges like PUMBA, SIIB, ISB&M usually bring averages of ₹6–10 lakh.

So yes, which college you choose does shape the salary you’ll land. Whenever newspapers cover MBA placements, the headlines are about those “dream offers.” The student who got a one crore package. The graduate with a ₹40 lakh domestic job. Those stories are real, but they are the exception, not the rule.

Salary of MBA in India as Per Company

At the very top, consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain and BCG may offer ₹30–40 lakh packages in India. They want the best of the best, usually from IIM A, B, C or ISB. Investment banks like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan are also in the same zone, with ₹25–35 lakh offers.

Technology firms like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google hire MBAs for product management, operations, and strategy roles, with packages in the ₹20–28 lakh range. FMCG companies like HUL, ITC, Nestlé or P&G don’t always make the biggest headlines, but their leadership programs pay ₹18–25 lakh and guarantee very fast career progression.

And yes, a few international offers do go sky-high. Packages of ₹60 lakh to ₹1 crore are occasionally reported, especially from IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, or ISB Hyderabad. But those numbers often include allowances and overseas adjustments, not just base salary.

So while it’s nice to read about crore-plus offers, most graduates land in more moderate ranges.

Which Industry Pays What

The sector you join matters as much as the college. Different industries value management graduates differently, and the skills needed are not the same.

In cities like Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, IT and IT-enabled services dominate MBA placements. Packages here are usually in the ₹8–12 lakh range. They may not be the highest, but they are steady and plentiful.

Consulting is aspirational for many. Deloitte, PwC, KPMG and EY hire in large numbers, paying around ₹12–18 lakh. BFSI—banking and financial services—offers ₹10–15 lakh, with recruiters like ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra, JP Morgan and Axis Bank showing up regularly.

FMCG companies are known for their management trainee programs. The pay ranges between ₹12–20 lakh, but the career trajectory is the real selling point. E-commerce, especially Amazon and Flipkart, now hire aggressively, paying ₹10–16 lakh for roles in analytics, supply chain and digital marketing.

MBA Salary in India Based on Cities

Where you work also changes your salary. Mumbai, being India’s financial hub, pays the highest, especially in BFSI and consulting. Delhi NCR has a mix of consulting, FMCG and IT, with salaries not far behind. Bangalore is the IT capital and is also where startups and unicorns recruit heavily. Pune is smaller, but steady, with IT/ITES as the backbone. Hyderabad has emerged as a strong hub with IT and pharma leading placements.

The same candidate might get different offers in different cities, depending on demand.

Specialisations and Their Impact on MBA Salary in India

Not all MBAs are equal. Finance usually commands the highest packages, especially if you land in investment banking or private equity. Consulting also pays very well.

MBA Salary in India Specialisation-Wise

Salary After MBA: Work Experience vs Freshers

Work experience is becoming a game-changer. A fresher with no work ex might get ₹9–10 lakh in consulting, but someone with three years of IT or analytics background could get ₹15–18 lakh. Recruiters want people who can hit the ground running.

Some colleges even prefer students with at least two years of work ex, because it increases placement numbers and salary averages. For students, it means a few years of experience before MBA can really boost ROI.

Fees vs Salary: The ROI Question

One question students always ask is whether the MBA is worth it financially. If you spend ₹25–30 lakh at an IIM, is a ₹20 lakh job enough? The answer is, usually yes, in the long run. Within three to five years, most MBA graduates see big jumps in salary as they climb into mid-management roles.

At schools like FMS Delhi, the ROI is even better because the fees are low. PUMBA and other state universities also provide good ROI for regional opportunities. So the “worth it” depends on both salary and fees.

Final Thoughts

An MBA in India is still one of the most powerful tools for career growth. Salaries range from ₹6 lakh to ₹35 lakh for most, with rare cases touching one crore. The college, the specialisation, the industry, and your own work experience all play a role.

At the end of the day, an MBA is about more than just money. It opens doors, builds networks, and sets you up for leadership roles. So when you think about salary after MBA, don’t just look at the first pay cheque. Think about the ten-year journey it puts you on.

FAQs

Q1: What is the average salary after MBA in India?
On an average, candidates can earn somewhere between 6 to 12 LPA after an MBA degree. However, a graduate from top colleges may earn upto 25 LPA.

Q2: Which colleges pay the highest salaries?
IIM Ahmedabad, Bangalore, and Calcutta. Followed by FMS, XLRI, SPJIMR, and top private B-schools like SIBM Pune and SCMHRD.

Q3: Which sectors pay the most to MBA graduates?
Consulting and investment banking.

Q4: Does work experience affect MBA salary?
Yes, candidates with 2–4 years of experience often get higher starting packages.

Q5: How does city affect salary after MBA?
Mumbai and Delhi NCR usually offer the highest packages. And Pune and Hyderabad pay slightly lower but stable salaries.