Salary Negotiation for Developers in India

Most developers I know, including myself early on, accepted the first offer they received. That single mistake cost me lakhs over my career. Here's what I wish I knew.

Know Your Market Value

Salary Ranges (2024, Metro Cities)

These are base salaries. Add 10-30% for RSUs/bonuses at larger companies.

Where to Research

• levels.fyi (best for product companies)
• Glassdoor (take with grain of salt)
• LinkedIn connections (ask privately)
• Grapevine (anonymous chat with verified employees)

The Negotiation Framework

Never Give a Number First

HR: "What's your expected salary?"

Don't say: "I'm looking for 15 LPA"

Say: "I'm more interested in the role and growth opportunity. I'm sure we can work out compensation if we're a good fit. What's the range budgeted for this role?"

When They Insist

"Based on my research and the market rate for this role, I'm targeting the 20-25 LPA range, but I'm flexible for the right opportunity."

Give a range where your target is the bottom.

Responding to Offers

The Script

Never accept immediately, even if you're excited.

Say: "Thank you for the offer. I'm genuinely excited about this opportunity. I'd like to take 2-3 days to review the complete compensation package. Is there flexibility to discuss the offer?"

If Offer is Lower Than Expected

"I appreciate the offer of 18 LPA. Based on my experience with [specific skill], my current compensation, and the market rate for this role, I was expecting something in the 22-24 LPA range. Is there room to bridge this gap?"

Negotiating Beyond Base Salary

If they can't move on base:

• Signing bonus (one-time)
• RSU/ESOP grant
• Performance bonus structure
• Early review date (3 months instead of 12)
• Remote work / flexible timing
• Learning budget

When You Have Competing Offers

This is your strongest position.

"I have an offer from [Company] at 24 LPA, but I prefer [Your Company] because of [genuine reason]. If you can match or come close to that, I'd be happy to sign."

Important: Only do this if it's true. The tech community is small.

Common Mistakes

1. Accepting too quickly - Signals you'd have accepted less
2. Revealing current salary - Focus on market rate instead
3. Threatening to leave - Negotiate professionally
4. Not negotiating at all - Even 10% more compounds significantly
5. Forgetting the whole package - Consider RSUs, bonuses, benefits

The Math

Negotiating even 15% more:

Over 5 years with typical raises, that's 20-30 lakhs difference from one negotiation.

Final Thoughts

Negotiation feels uncomfortable, but companies expect it. The worst outcome is they say no and you get the original offer. The best outcome is significant money over your career.

Be professional, be prepared, and don't be afraid to ask.