He earns Rs 11 LPA, office newbie gets Rs 18 LPA: Netizens explain why and how to earn more

Pay disparities between employees with similar experience have become a hot topic in India’s IT sector. With companies increasingly offering competitive packages to attract talent, even loyal and experienced staff sometimes find themselves earning less than newly hired colleagues. This trend has sparked debates on fairness, career growth, and strategies to maximize income within the industry.

Frustration Over Pay Disparity
A recent Reddit post highlights this issue, shared by a 2023 graduate who has spent two years at their current company. They revealed their surprise upon learning that a new hire with similar experience had been offered ₹18 lakh per annum (LPA), while they currently earn ₹11 LPA.

The employee explained that they joined as a fresher through campus placements at ₹8.5 LPA and recently received a promotion to ₹11 LPA. Despite consistently handling complex tasks, customer tickets, and team workshops, the higher salary offered to a newcomer left them questioning the fairness of their compensation.

“Over the last four months, I’ve noticed that the new hire hasn’t contributed much to the codebase. Honestly, I don’t even know what he does most of the time,” the Redditor mentioned.


Concerns About Fairness
The employee wondered whether joining as a fresher affected their salary growth, despite positive feedback from their manager, who had praised their holistic understanding of the application and ownership of tasks.

When they inquired about their salary hike, they were told they would be informed once HR sent the official notification. This left them feeling undervalued and uncertain about how to address the issue with management.

Netizens Weigh In
The post sparked a lively online discussion, with many users pointing out that such pay gaps are common in the IT industry. Several suggested switching companies as a way to secure higher pay. One user noted that moving to a new employer often results in a better salary grade than staying with the current company.

Another added that compensation often follows a cycle, where employees may feel underpaid initially but catch up over time; however, switching jobs can accelerate salary growth.


Key Takeaways for Professionals
Online commentators emphasized the importance of proactive career management. Employees are encouraged to:

• Evaluate market rates regularly to understand their worth.
• Have open discussions with managers about performance and pay expectations.
• Consider career moves if current growth and compensation are limited.

The discussion highlights a broader reality in the IT sector: experience and loyalty alone may not guarantee higher pay, making awareness of industry standards crucial for career progression.