To attract and retain top talent, MSMEs need to offer competitive compensation packages. Based on aggregated and anonymized payroll data processed through the AccoNova platform in early 2026, we have compiled this Salary Benchmarking Guide for common roles in India.
Last Updated: June 2026
Salary Benchmarks by Industry (Average CTC in INR)
1. IT & Software Services (Tier 1 Cities: Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad)
| Role | 0-2 Years Exp | 3-5 Years Exp | 5-8 Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frontend Developer | ₹4.5L - ₹7.0L | ₹8.0L - ₹14.0L | ₹15.0L - ₹24.0L |
| Backend Developer | ₹5.0L - ₹8.0L | ₹9.0L - ₹16.0L | ₹16.0L - ₹28.0L |
| QA Engineer | ₹3.5L - ₹5.5L | ₹6.0L - ₹10.0L | ₹11.0L - ₹18.0L |
| UI/UX Designer | ₹4.0L - ₹6.5L | ₹7.5L - ₹12.0L | ₹13.0L - ₹22.0L |
2. Manufacturing & Engineering (Tier 2 Cities: Coimbatore, Nashik, Ludhiana)
| Role | 0-2 Years Exp | 3-5 Years Exp | 5-8 Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Engineer | ₹2.5L - ₹3.8L | ₹4.0L - ₹6.5L | ₹7.0L - ₹11.0L |
| Quality Inspector | ₹2.0L - ₹3.0L | ₹3.2L - ₹4.8L | ₹5.0L - ₹8.0L |
| Plant Manager | N/A | ₹6.0L - ₹9.0L | ₹10.0L - ₹15.0L |
| Maintenance Tech | ₹1.8L - ₹2.5L | ₹2.8L - ₹4.0L | ₹4.5L - ₹6.5L |
3. Retail & E-commerce Operations (Pan-India)
| Role | 0-2 Years Exp | 3-5 Years Exp | 5-8 Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store Manager | ₹3.0L - ₹4.5L | ₹5.0L - ₹7.5L | ₹8.0L - ₹12.0L |
| Supply Chain Exec | ₹2.8L - ₹4.0L | ₹4.5L - ₹7.0L | ₹7.5L - ₹11.0L |
| Customer Support | ₹2.2L - ₹3.5L | ₹3.8L - ₹5.5L | ₹6.0L - ₹8.5L |
Trends in Compensation Structuring (2026)
Our data highlights a shift in how CTCs are structured:
- Higher Basic Salary Component: To comply with impending Wage Code regulations, companies are shifting allowances into the basic salary to ensure it forms at least 50% of the total CTC.
- Variable Pay Increase: Startups and MSMEs are heavily utilizing performance-linked bonuses, forming up to 15-20% of the CTC for senior roles.
- Flexible Benefit Plans (FBP): Offering tax-saving components like Food Allowances, Internet Allowances, and LTA within the CTC structure has become standard practice.
Managing Compensation with AccoNova
Designing the perfect CTC structure without violating Minimum Wage or PF laws is challenging. AccoNova’s built-in CTC Calculator allows HR teams to input a target CTC, and the engine automatically backwards-calculates the Basic, HRA, and PF components to ensure 100% legal compliance.
Methodology: Data derived from 120,000+ anonymized salary slips generated via AccoNova HRMS between Jan-May 2026.