IIT Placement Salary: What Graduates Really Earn and Where

When you hear IIT placement salary, the average starting pay for engineering graduates from India’s top technical institutes. Also known as IIT campus recruitment packages, it’s not just a number—it’s the result of years of intense prep, high stakes, and a system that turns top JEE rankers into highly sought-after talent. The numbers sound impressive: ₹30 lakhs, ₹50 lakhs, even ₹1 crore for some. But behind those headlines are real people, real branches, and real trade-offs. Not every IIT grad gets a six-figure package. And not every company offering big money is the right fit.

What drives these salaries? It’s mostly core engineering branches, like Computer Science, Electrical, and Electronics. These are the ones tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon target hardest. But even within IITs, IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay, the two campuses with the strongest industry connections. Also known as top IITs for placements, they consistently lead in average pay and number of offers. Meanwhile, newer IITs or less popular branches often see salaries that are 30-50% lower. It’s not about the IIT name alone—it’s about demand, location, and skill alignment.

Then there’s the non-core path, where IIT grads go into finance, consulting, or startups instead of software. Also known as IIT alumni outside engineering, this group often earns just as much—or more—than their peers in coding roles. Look at the list of famous IITians in the US: many didn’t become engineers. They became product managers, founders, or data scientists. Their salaries came from applying IIT’s problem-solving rigor to new fields, not from sitting in a lab.

And here’s what no one tells you: the highest packages are usually for international roles. A ₹1.5 crore offer might mean relocating to the US or Singapore. Domestic offers from Indian tech firms rarely cross ₹40 lakhs. So when you hear "IIT placement salary," ask: Is this in India or abroad? Is it for a job or an internship? Is it base pay or total compensation with stock? The difference matters.

You’ll find posts here that break down exactly which branches get paid what, which companies show up each year, and how alumni from IITs are landing roles at top firms overseas. You’ll also see why some students turn down big offers to start companies or join early-stage startups. This isn’t about bragging rights. It’s about making smart choices—before you even sit for JEE.