Quick Answer: The average salary of a CA in India is about ₹12–13 lakh per year for freshers placed through ICAI campus drives. That works out to roughly ₹90,000–₹96,000 in-hand per month. Across all CAs, pay ranges from ₹6 lakh to over ₹1 crore a year, depending on experience, employer and city.
The average salary of CA in India is one of the most searched career questions among commerce students, and for good reason. Chartered Accountancy is a tough course, so students want to know if the pay justifies the effort.
Unlike government posts, a CA does not get a fixed pay level or pay matrix. Salary is set by the market. The most reliable benchmark is the official campus placement data published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), which we use throughout this article.
Average Salary of CA in India: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Chartered Accountant (CA) |
| Regulating body | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Pay scale / level | No fixed pay scale (market-based); PSUs use IDA pay scales |
| Average fresher CTC (ICAI 64th campus, April–May 2026) | ₹13.30 lakh per annum |
| Highest domestic package (2025 campus drives) | ₹32.33 lakh per annum |
| International offers | Above ₹50 lakh per annum |
| Approx. gross salary per month (₹13 LPA CTC) | ₹1,01,000 |
| Approx. in-hand salary per month (₹13 LPA CTC) | ₹95,000–₹96,000 |
| Overall salary range | ₹6 lakh to ₹1 crore+ per year |
Note: Figures are based on official ICAI placement data and current income tax rules, and may change with new placement results and tax revisions.
CA Salary as per ICAI Campus Placement (Year-Wise Data)
ICAI holds campus placement drives twice a year for newly qualified CAs. These are the most trusted numbers available, because they come directly from the institute and not from salary survey websites.
| Placement Drive | Period | Average CTC | Highest Domestic CTC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49th Campus | Feb–Mar 2019 | ₹7.43 LPA | — |
| 57th Campus | Feb–Mar 2023 | ₹12.45 LPA | ₹28 LPA |
| 59th Campus | Feb–Mar 2024 | ₹13.12 LPA | ₹29 LPA (Diageo India) |
| 60th Campus | Aug–Sep 2024 | ₹12.49 LPA | ₹26.70 LPA (Power Finance Corporation) |
| 62nd Campus | Aug–Sep 2025 | ₹12.88 LPA | ₹26.60 LPA |
| 63rd Campus | Dec 2025–Jan 2026 | Around ₹12.5 LPA | ₹32.33 LPA |
| 64th Campus | Apr–May 2026 | ₹13.30 LPA | ₹27.50 LPA |
| 65th Campus | Aug–Sep 2026 | Results awaited | Results awaited |
The trend is clear: the average fresher package has nearly doubled since 2019 and has stayed steady in the ₹12.5–13.3 lakh band for the last four years.
In the 64th drive, 185 organisations took part and 2,570 candidates got offers. For the 65th drive, 6,399 out of 7,931 candidates who passed CA Final in May 2026 registered for placement.
In May 2026, ICAI also publicly rejected media reports that freshers join at just ₹3–5 lakh. The institute confirmed an average starting salary of ₹12–13 lakh per year and said about 10,244 CAs were placed through its 2025 campus drives.
Keep in mind: the campus average reflects large recruiters with structured pay. CAs who join small local firms outside campus drives often start lower, at ₹6–9 lakh per year.
CA Salary Structure: How a CA’s CTC Is Divided
Most companies split a CA’s CTC into these parts:
- Basic pay: usually 40–50% of CTC
- HRA: 40–50% of basic (50% in metro cities)
- Special allowance: the balancing amount
- Employer PF: 12% of basic
- Gratuity: 4.81% of basic (paid after 5 years of service)
- Variable pay / bonus: 5–20% of CTC in many corporates and Big 4 firms
PF and gratuity are part of CTC but do not come in your monthly salary. That is why in-hand pay is always lower than CTC divided by 12.
CA Salary Per Month: In-Hand Calculation
Below is a realistic in-hand calculation for three common CTC levels. We have assumed basic pay at 40% of CTC, PF on full basic, professional tax of ₹200 a month and the new tax regime for FY 2026-27 (slabs unchanged in Budget 2026, ₹75,000 standard deduction, no tax up to ₹12 lakh taxable income).
| Component (Monthly) | Fresher at Small Firm (₹7 LPA) | ICAI Campus Average (₹13 LPA) | Experienced CA (₹20 LPA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic pay | ₹23,333 | ₹43,333 | ₹66,667 |
| HRA | ₹11,667 | ₹21,667 | ₹33,333 |
| Special allowance | ₹19,411 | ₹36,050 | ₹55,460 |
| Gross salary | ₹54,411 | ₹1,01,050 | ₹1,55,460 |
| Employee PF (12% of basic) | − ₹2,800 | − ₹5,200 | − ₹8,000 |
| Professional tax | − ₹200 | − ₹200 | − ₹200 |
| Income tax (new regime) | Nil | Nil | − ₹13,702 |
| In-hand salary | ≈ ₹51,400 | ≈ ₹95,650 | ≈ ₹1,33,550 |
So a CA earning the ICAI campus average takes home roughly ₹95,000–₹96,000 per month. Since taxable income stays below ₹12 lakh after the standard deduction, no income tax is payable at this level under the new regime.
Your actual figure will change with your company’s salary structure, PF rules (some firms cap PF on ₹15,000 basic), state professional tax and variable pay.
Allowances & Benefits for CAs
Private-sector CAs mostly get:
- HRA, or company lease accommodation at senior levels
- Performance bonus and annual increments (typically 8–15%, higher on promotion)
- Health insurance for self and family
- PF, gratuity and sometimes NPS contribution
- Professional membership fee reimbursement
- Learning allowance for certifications like ACCA, CFA or CPA
CAs in PSUs and public sector banks get government-style perks: Dearness Allowance, HRA or leased housing, medical cover for the family, leave encashment, performance-related pay and post-retirement benefits.
CA Salary by Experience (Career Growth)
Experience changes CA pay more than anything else. The ranges below are realistic market estimates, not official figures.
| Experience | Typical Role | Salary Range (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher (0–1 year) | Audit/Tax Associate, Analyst | ₹6–13 lakh |
| 2–4 years | Senior Associate, Assistant Manager | ₹12–20 lakh |
| 5–7 years | Manager, Finance Manager | ₹18–35 lakh |
| 8–12 years | Senior Manager, Financial Controller, AVP | ₹30–60 lakh |
| 15+ years | CFO, Director, Big 4 Partner | ₹60 lakh to ₹1 crore+ |
The biggest jumps usually come when a CA switches jobs after 2–3 years, especially from audit firms into industry or banking.
CA Salary by Employer Type
| Employer | Fresher Salary (Per Year) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Small and mid-size CA firms | ₹5–9 lakh | Good learning, slower pay growth |
| Big 4 (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) | ₹9–14 lakh | Strong brand value, long hours |
| Corporates and MNCs | ₹10–18 lakh | Finance, controllership, taxation roles |
| Banks, NBFCs and investment firms | ₹12–25 lakh | Credit, treasury, risk, investment banking |
| PSUs (via campus or direct recruitment) | ₹12–27 lakh CTC | Job security plus government perks |
| Own practice | Highly variable | ₹5 lakh to several crore after building clients |
All India Rank holders usually get picked first in campus drives and often land packages of ₹18 lakh and above.
CA Salary in Government Jobs and PSUs
Many readers want to know what a CA earns in a government organisation. There is no single “CA pay scale”, but these are the common routes:
| Organisation | Common Post | Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Public sector banks (SBI, PNB, BOB etc.) | Assistant Manager (JMGS-I) | ₹48,480 starting basic |
| Public sector banks (Specialist Officer) | Manager (MMGS-II) | ₹64,820 starting basic |
| Maharatna/Navratna PSUs | Officer/Assistant Manager (E1/E2) | IDA scale ₹40,000–₹1,40,000 or ₹50,000–₹1,60,000 |
Bank pay above follows the 12th Bipartite Settlement, while PSUs follow the IDA pay structure. With DA, HRA and other perks, total CTC in PSUs often reaches ₹12–20 lakh a year at entry. Power Finance Corporation’s ₹26.70 lakh offer in the 60th campus drive shows how high PSU packages can go.
City-Wise CA Salary in India
Where you work also affects your pay. These are indicative fresher ranges.
| City | Fresher CA Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹9–16 lakh |
| Delhi NCR (Delhi, Gurugram, Noida) | ₹8–15 lakh |
| Bengaluru | ₹9–15 lakh |
| Hyderabad | ₹8–14 lakh |
| Pune | ₹7–13 lakh |
| Chennai | ₹7–12 lakh |
| Kolkata | ₹6–11 lakh |
| Ahmedabad | ₹6–11 lakh |
| Tier-2 cities (Lucknow, Jaipur, Indore, Kanpur, Patna) | ₹5–9 lakh |
Metro cities pay more because most Big 4 offices, bank headquarters and global capability centres are located there.
CA Salary Abroad
ICAI also runs overseas campus placements. International offers for newly qualified CAs have crossed ₹50 lakh a year, mainly from the Middle East and Africa. Indian CAs who add qualifications like ACCA or CPA find it easier to work in the UK, Australia or the US.
Job Profile & Duties of a CA
- Auditing company accounts and preparing audit reports
- Direct tax and GST planning, filing and advisory
- Preparing financial statements and MIS reports
- Budgeting, forecasting and cost control
- Due diligence, valuation and mergers advisory
- Risk management and internal controls
How to Become a CA (Eligibility in Brief)
Students can register for CA Foundation after Class 12 (provisional registration is allowed after Class 10). The path is CA Foundation, CA Intermediate, practical training (articleship) and CA Final. Most students qualify in 4.5–5 years. Graduates with the required marks can skip Foundation and enter at the Intermediate level directly.
CA Salary vs Similar Professions
Fresher ranges below are indicative market estimates.
| Profession | Typical Fresher Salary (Per Year) | Mid-Career Salary (Per Year) |
|---|---|---|
| Chartered Accountant (CA) | ₹7–13 lakh | ₹18–35 lakh |
| Company Secretary (CS) | ₹4–8 lakh | ₹12–25 lakh |
| Cost Accountant (CMA) | ₹6–10 lakh | ₹12–25 lakh |
| MBA Finance (non-IIM) | ₹5–10 lakh | ₹12–25 lakh |
| CFA charterholder | ₹6–12 lakh | ₹15–35 lakh |
| B.Com graduate | ₹2.5–4 lakh | ₹6–10 lakh |
CA remains among the best-paid entry routes in commerce, and the gap with a plain B.Com degree is especially wide.
FAQs on Average Salary of CA in India
What is the average salary of a CA in India in 2026?
As per ICAI’s 64th campus placement (April–May 2026), the average package for newly qualified CAs was ₹13.30 lakh per year. Across the profession, salaries range from about ₹6 lakh for freshers in small firms to over ₹1 crore for CFOs and partners.
What is the salary of a CA per month in India?
A fresher on the campus average earns a gross salary of about ₹1 lakh per month and takes home roughly ₹95,000–₹96,000. Freshers in small firms usually get ₹45,000–₹65,000 in hand.
CA ki salary kitni hoti hai?
CA ki average starting salary ₹12–13 lakh saalana hai, yaani lagbhag ₹95,000 mahina in-hand. Experience ke saath yeh ₹30–60 lakh tak aur senior level par ₹1 crore se upar bhi ja sakti hai.
What is the highest salary of a CA in India?
The highest domestic campus offer in 2025 was ₹32.33 lakh per year, and international offers have crossed ₹50 lakh. Experienced CAs working as CFOs or Big 4 partners can earn ₹1 crore or more a year.
What is the salary of a CA in Big 4 firms?
Freshers at Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG usually get ₹9–14 lakh per year. Managers earn around ₹20–35 lakh, and partners can earn well above ₹1 crore.
Is it true that CA freshers get only ₹3–5 lakh?
Not as a general rule. ICAI clarified in May 2026 that the average starting salary is ₹12–13 lakh. Some freshers joining very small local firms may get lower pay, but that is not the average.
What is the salary of a CA after 5 years?
A CA with around 5 years of experience usually earns ₹18–35 lakh per year. Those in investment banking, private equity or corporate finance roles can earn more.
Do CAs get government jobs?
Yes. Public sector banks hire CAs as officers and specialist officers, and PSUs like PFC, NTPC, ONGC and IOCL hire them in finance roles on IDA pay scales, with starting basic pay of ₹40,000–₹50,000 or more.
Final Thoughts
The average salary of CA in India sits at ₹12–13 lakh a year for freshers, which means close to ₹95,000 in hand every month. That number is backed by ICAI’s own placement data, not guesswork.
Starting pay depends on your rank, articleship and city. But after 5–10 years, most CAs move into the ₹20–60 lakh range, and top performers cross ₹1 crore. For students willing to put in the years of hard work, CA remains one of the strongest career choices in Indian commerce.
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