Why Am I Earning Less Than Freshers Despite My Experience in the Software Industry?

I joined a company, and I got only a 30% hike—4.5pa. They told me that they can't give a hike more than 30%. But when I inquired from freshers, they told me that they were getting 8pa. Can anyone explain to me why an experienced engineer is getting much less than a fresher?

Are the freshers working in HR or another department? I presume 4.5 and 8 refer to amounts in lakhs. Also, they may have some qualifications that the company urgently needs in core areas of business.

Understanding Salary Discrepancies

Why are you asking us now, Rajeev? You should have done enough inquiry about it before confirming the offer made to you during the interview. Without doing that, after accepting the offer and joining, now you feel disappointed (or cheated?). Having accepted the 4.5 pa package, you now have no locus standi to raise a dispute with your HR, quoting that other freshers are fixed at double your package. It shows poorly on your bargaining power. Presumably, they are not at fault either. They are not under any obligation to reveal what package was given to the freshers and other serving employees. It's a prerogative for every employer to fix packages for a prospective employee, maybe first on your quote and the counteroffer by the employer, then a package is settled in between. It's your failure to do due diligence before the fixation round was on and accepting their offer.

Options to Consider

Now a few options available to you are:
- Raise a demand or some sort of anomaly for a higher package, quoting the package other freshers are drawing, giving an ultimatum that failing which you would prefer to quit and await the employer's response.
- Remain there itself and look out for other openings during the probation period.
- Go back to your erstwhile employer, requesting them to cancel your resignation and wait for better options, having once been in a similar situation.

Regards

Hello Rajeev,

A few queries to get the factual picture right.

1. From which institutions are these freshers?
2. How are you sure that what the freshers say - that they are getting 8 L p.a. - is absolutely right? Quite often, freshers jack up their CTCs for 'effect' and 'bragging'.
3. What's your experience level and skillset?

However, in general, a raise of 30% is normal in the IT industry - though this doesn't mean some don't get over 30%, but that would involve an exceedingly good interview performance or the skillset being tough to acquire, or the requirement being very urgent.

Please confirm the points stated above to enable the members to give better clarity to your situation and/or make suggestions.

Regards,
TS