IIT Graduate Earnings: What They Really Make and Why It Matters

When people talk about IIT graduate earnings, the average starting salaries of students who graduate from India's top engineering institutes. Also known as IIT placement packages, these numbers often become symbols of academic success and social mobility. But behind the headlines — ₹20 lakh, ₹50 lakh, even ₹1 crore — there’s a much quieter, more complex story. Not every IIT graduate lands a six-figure package. Many start at ₹8–12 lakh. Others take years to climb. And some walk away from corporate jobs entirely, choosing startups, research, or teaching instead.

What actually determines how much an IIT grad earns? It’s not just the institute name. It’s the branch of engineering, the specific field of study chosen during undergraduate years. Also known as engineering discipline, it plays a bigger role than most admit. Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence grads dominate the top salary lists — not because they’re smarter, but because demand outstrips supply. Electronics, Mechanical, and Civil engineers often earn less at first, but their long-term growth can be steadier. Then there’s the location, where the job is based and which country’s market you’re entering. Also known as geographic salary variation, it can double or halve your pay. An IIT grad working in Bangalore might earn half what one makes in Silicon Valley, even with the same title. And let’s not forget work experience, the real currency that builds wealth after graduation. Also known as career progression, it matters more than your degree after five years. The top earners aren’t always the ones who got the highest package on day one — they’re the ones who kept learning, switched roles smartly, or started something of their own.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of salary numbers. It’s a collection of real, grounded insights — from students who cracked IIT JEE in two years, to those who chose non-corporate paths after graduation. You’ll see how preparation, pressure, and personal choices shape outcomes. Some of these stories come from people who made it big. Others are from those who didn’t, but still found meaning. There’s no single formula for success. But if you’re trying to understand what IIT graduate earnings really mean — beyond the brochures and Instagram posts — this is where you start.