According to the latest quarterly hiring tracker from Indeed, about six out of ten specialists in India believe there is no direct correlation between their job title and their salary level. This indicates a growing gap between professional status and compensation in many workplaces. In the survey, approximately 80% of specialists noted that job titles are used excessively across various industries, exceeding actual necessity.
Many respondents reported seeing colleagues receive higher positions without a corresponding increase in salary.
The report also notes that among specialists whose roles have changed in the last two years, about a third reported no salary increase or an increase of less than 5%. Furthermore, 52% of specialists stated that when choosing a new job, they would prioritize higher salary over a better job title. This demonstrates that while status is important for a career, salary remains a significant criterion for advancement.
Nevertheless, specialists place great importance on their title. Approximately 70% of respondents believe their job title plays a crucial role in future career opportunities. Additionally, 73% believe that a good title improves their image in the eyes of potential employers, and 57% noted that their job title significantly affects overall job satisfaction.
The survey also revealed a trend where companies are increasingly using high job titles to attract and retain staff. About 57% of employers stated that their companies provide some or a significant degree of senior positions to attract or keep employees.
Employers attribute this trend to changing market demands and the transforming structure of companies. Some organizations assign high titles to employees to recognize their progress and retain valuable workers, even if the salary budget is limited.
Shashi Kumar, Managing Director of Indeed India, emphasized that the title still matters because it reflects a person's professional identity, capabilities, and potential. However, he added that the title becomes more effective when it reflects real career growth, rather than replacing it.
The survey results show that companies and employees perceive advancement differently. Companies view a high title as a way to show respect to an employee, whereas employees link real career growth to increased salary. According to the study, although a job title improvement is still important to employees, they expect it to be accompanied by an increase in both responsibility and income.
This survey was conducted by ValuVox on behalf of Indeed in May and June 2026. It involved 2,533 employees and 1,211 employers from across India. The sample included people from various industries, companies of different sizes, at different career levels, and from different regions, including Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 cities, and rural areas.