Executive Compensation in India: A Decade of Growth

The average salary for CEOs of listed companies in India has reached an impressive Rs 7.2 crore, marking a 9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the past decade, according to a recent study by Resource Bridge. In contrast, CFOs have seen their average pay rise to Rs 2.3 crore, a 1.7 times increase during the same period.

Sectoral and Regional Insights

The manufacturing sector leads in CEO compensation, while service-oriented industries top the charts for CFO earnings. Regionally, executives in northern India enjoy the highest pay, with eastern India trailing behind, regardless of sector or company size.

The Impact of Corporate Ownership

Multinational companies in India offer 10–11% higher compensation than their Indian counterparts for senior leadership roles. This disparity highlights the competitive edge MNCs have in attracting top talent.

This comprehensive study, analyzing over 1,000 listed companies across more than 20 industries from FY15 to FY24, sheds light on the evolving landscape of executive compensation in India.