Job Titles and Pay Out of Sync for Many Indian Professionals, Report Finds

A significant share of professionals in India believe their job titles do not accurately match their compensation, pointing to a gap between workplace recognition and financial rewards, according to a report by Indeed.

The quarterly hiring tracker, based on responses from 1,211 employers and 2,533 employees in India, found that nearly six in ten professionals said their job title does not correspond with their pay.

The report also found that almost 80% of employees believe inflated job titles have become widespread across industries. Many respondents said they had seen colleagues receive more senior-sounding designations without a corresponding increase in salary.

According to Indeed India Managing Director Sashi Kumar, job titles remain important because they communicate professional identity, opportunities and capabilities. However, their value is stronger when they represent genuine career advancement rather than being used as a replacement for it.

Among employees who received a change in designation during the previous two years, nearly one in three said the change came with either no salary increase or an increment of less than 5%.

At the same time, 52% of professionals said they would prefer a higher salary over a better designation when evaluating a new job opportunity. This suggests that while job titles can influence career opportunities, compensation remains a major measure of career value.

Titles continue to matter to professionals. Around 70% of respondents said their designation plays an important role in shaping future career opportunities, while nearly 73% believed that a stronger title can improve how prospective employers view them. About 57% also said their designation has a significant influence on their overall job satisfaction.

Employers are also using designations as a talent-management tool. The report found that 57% of employers said their organisations use senior-sounding or enhanced job titles to attract or retain employees.

The report said designations are increasingly being used to attract candidates, retain high-performing employees and recognise employee growth, particularly when organisations face limits on salary budgets.

The survey was conducted by Valuvox on behalf of Indeed during May and June 2026.