Entry-level salaries in India among lowest in APAC region, says Towers Watson study

At an average pay of Rs 26,640, graduate monthly starting salaries in India rank 9th out of the top 11 Asia Pacific economies

Graduate Indian employees sit towards the bottom of the Asia Pacific pay league according to the latest Asia-Pacific Starting Salary study by Towers Watson's Data Services. At an average pay of $ 400 (about Rs 26,640), graduate monthly starting salaries in India are particularly low, ranking 9th out of the top 11 Asia Pacific economies, and being less than one-fifth of equivalent salaries in South Korea and Singapore.

Further up the career ladder, India wages for experienced professionals at middle management level are slightly more competitive, the survey said.

According to the study, despite the recent push in its manufacturing sector and popularity of the IT sector, an engineering manager in India earns a salary ($ 56,530 or about Rs 37.6 lakh) that is almost half of his China counterpart ($ 112,070 or about Rs 74.6 lakh) and one-third of his Singapore counterpart ($ 151,168 about Rs 1 crore).

Sambhav Rakyan, Data Services Practice Leader, Asia Pacific at Towers Watson, said, "Despite a common labor market in the region, it is striking to see how divergent guaranteed cash levels remain amongst top economies. Although dependent on prevailing exchange rates, the findings clearly highlight India's position as a competitive and attractive workforce and talent market."