From USD 140,900 to €40,000- How Much Can Indian Graduates Get Paid To Work Abroad?

For Indian graduates, the dream to work and earn abroad after graduation to gain global exposure, cultural experience, and career growth is a fairly common phenomenon. The Silicon Valley dream allures most, if not all, of us. But let’s skip the generic “good exposure” talk and get to what matters the most: the salary. While you sit and scroll through reels of your dream university and adjacent locations, have you ever stopped and wondered what you would earn as a fresh Indian graduate abroad? 

Bringing an end to your woes, here’s a breakdown focused on how much you can typically earn in 10 different countries as an Indian graduate and whether it’s worth it or not. Let’s check out the big numbers as well as briefly glance through them to see if these rewards are genuinely worthwhile.

Switzerland

The country is often considered one of the ‘happiest countries’ in the world, and indeed, it has to be at the top of our list. Switzerland pays Indian graduates the highest salaries globally, usually around USD 140,900 (INR 1.2 cr) per year, mostly in finance, consulting, or pharma jobs. But don’t get smitten cause even though the salary is good and tax rates are low, the living costs in Switzerland are brutally high, especially in the big cities like Zurich or Geneva. Rent, health insurance, and daily expenses can consume a large chunk of your income. What do you get in return though? An exceptional quality of life.

United States of America

The USA is among the most popular choices for Indian graduates due to its high starting salaries and comparatively moderate living costs. Most fresh graduates in technology, consulting, or finance earn an average of USD 120,900 (INR 1 crore) per year, and in cities like New York or San Francisco, it can go beyond that. What pulls in the crowd except for the whopping wages, is the broad-minded approach towards innovation and critical thinking. After taxes, the salary comes down to around USD 95,000, but living costs are steep especially rent. If you are someone who would like to explore ideas beyond the basics, you should put your bet on the USA.

Canada

It is a top destination for Indian graduates seeking easy immigration and a stable lifestyle with a moderately good salary. Most fresh graduates earn up to CAD 150,000 annually, about INR 94 lakhs. Indians are often heard saying, ‘Canada feels like home.’ With sign boards in Punjabi in some cities and multiple areas dedicated to Indian residents, there is also easy access to Indian food. While healthcare is free and the quality of life is good in Canada, rent and groceries are still expensive in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver. It’s an excellent place for Indian students interested in oil and gas, engineering, or tech.

France

France is the second-highest country in Europe to pay remarkable post-graduation salaries. France offers decent opportunities for Indian graduates, especially those in business, fashion, or engineering. Most graduates earn between €90,000 and 100,000 annually, around INR 88 lakhs to 99 lakhs. While the salary is undoubtedly attractive, the affordable education costs and extensive scholarships just make France a worthy opponent among other study-abroad options. The Parisian dream, or even other big cities can be costly, with rent and daily costs taking up a large portion of your salary. 

Australia

It is a solid choice for Indian graduates with starting salaries typically between AUD 120,000 and 150,000 (approximately INR 67 lakhs to 84 lakhs). The job market may be going downhill everywhere, but in Australia, there is a job for everyone as long as you are looking in the right direction. The highest-paying fields include IT, engineering, healthcare, and data analytics, where fresh graduates can expect salaries beyond INR 90 lakhs. On the other hand, business-related roles such as marketing, HR, and finance generally start at the lower to mid-range levels. While the pay isn’t as high as in the US or Switzerland, the work-life balance is better, and salary growth is steady over time.

United Kingdom

For Indian graduates entering the job market in the United Kingdom, the annual salaries typically start from £50,000 to £70,000, equivalent to approximately INR 69 lakhs to 81 lakhs. Finance, consulting, technology, and engineering are the highest-paying industries where new graduates earn toward the top of this range. While salaries in London are higher than in other cities, entry-level positions’ wages are comparatively modest. These figures reflect a balanced but realistic earning potential for fresh Indian graduates in the UK.

Italy

Italy may not offer the highest salaries, but it attracts Indian graduates with its growing demand for international talent in design, automotive, and business sectors. If you think outside the Doctor, Lawyer and Engineer box, then Italy is the destination that opens doors for the right set of opportunities. Indian graduates usually start with salaries ranging from €55,000 to €60,000 annually, around INR 54 lakhs to 68 lakhs. Compared to other Western European countries, wages in Italy are modest, and the job market can be competitive, especially for non-EU graduates. 

Singapore

This country offers low starting salaries for Indian graduates, typically ranging from SGD 35,000 to 50,000 annually (approximately INR 23 lakhs to 33 lakhs). However, tech, finance, and data science roles often pay more, sometimes crossing SGD 65,000 annually. It is also easy to settle in Singapore since English is widely spoken, but it can be challenging to survive in the job market because it is well-known for being fast-paced and performance-driven.

Japan

While the Indian population keeps rising, Japan is witnessing a steady decline. The Japanese government has started several new initiatives to open its doors to foreign nationals. There is a growing demand for skilled foreigners. In Japan, Indian graduates earn annual salaries ranging from JPY 40,00,000 to 55,00,000, which converts to approximately INR 24 to 32 lakhs. However, engineering, IT, and medical jobs usually offer compensation at the higher end of this scale. Tokyo’s multinational and tech firms tend to provide more competitive pay; traditional Japanese companies, on the other hand, often offer lower salaries but expect longer working hours. 

Germany

Indian graduates can expect annual earnings between €40,000 and €50,000 in Germany, about INR 39 to 48 lakhs. To get some of the best paychecks for fresh graduates, students must be from an engineering, automotive, or IT background. Salaries in business administration depend on the specific area of specialisation and experience.

This table sums up how much Indian graduates can expect to earn in these countries. Salaries vary widely by country and sector, with Switzerland and the USA leading in pay, while countries like Japan and Singapore offer more modest figures.

For more such updates on education and related opportunities worldwide, keep scrolling.