Quick Answer: The salary of a CA in India in 2026 starts at ₹7–13 lakh per year for freshers. The ICAI campus average was ₹13.30 lakh in the April–May 2026 drive. A ₹13 LPA package gives about ₹85,000–₹90,000 in-hand per month. With 5–10 years of experience, CAs earn ₹20–45 lakh a year.
Chartered Accountancy remains one of the best-paying professional courses in India. The salary of a CA in India depends on five things: where you work (Big 4, MNC, PSU, small firm or own practice), your city, your experience, your specialisation, and whether you cleared in the first attempt.
This guide covers the latest ICAI placement figures, CA salary per month with an in-hand calculation, Big 4 pay, government CA jobs, city-wise pay and salary growth up to the CFO level.
Salary of CA in India: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Profession | Chartered Accountant (CA) |
| Regulating body | Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) |
| Pay structure | No fixed pay level; depends on employer (CTC-based) |
| ICAI campus average (Apr–May 2026) | ₹13.30 lakh per annum |
| Highest domestic offer (Dec 2025–Jan 2026) | ₹32.33 lakh per annum |
| Fresher salary (industry-wide) | ₹7 lakh – ₹13 lakh per annum |
| In-hand salary per month (₹13 LPA) | Around ₹85,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Salary after 5 years | ₹20 lakh – ₹35 lakh per annum |
| Senior level (CFO/Partner) | ₹70 lakh to several crore per annum |
Figures are based on ICAI placement data, official bank and PSU notifications, and current industry pay trends. They can change with new placement drives and pay revisions.
CA Salary for Freshers in India 2026
The most reliable data on CA fresher salary comes from ICAI’s own campus placement programme, held twice a year for newly qualified CAs.
ICAI Campus Placement Salary (Latest Drives)
| Placement Drive | Period | Average CTC | Highest Domestic CTC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64th Campus | April–May 2026 | ₹13.30 lakh | ₹27.50 lakh |
| 63rd Campus | Dec 2025–Jan 2026 | Around ₹13 lakh | ₹32.33 lakh |
| 62nd Campus | Aug–Sept 2025 | ₹12.88 lakh | — |
| 60th Campus | 2024 | ₹12.49 lakh | ₹26.70 lakh |
In the 64th drive, ICAI reported 8,911 vacancies against only 5,834 participating CAs. That is roughly 1.5 jobs for every newly qualified CA. International offers in the same drive crossed ₹50 lakh per annum.
The 65th campus programme was held in August–September 2026 with over 5,300 vacancies across 29 centres. Its final salary figures were awaited at the time of writing.
Campus vs Off-Campus Fresher Salary
Campus figures are higher than the overall market because large companies with fixed pay bands recruit there. Here is what freshers realistically earn across employer types:
| Employer Type | Fresher Salary (Per Annum) |
|---|---|
| Big 4 firms (Deloitte, EY, KPMG, PwC) | ₹9 lakh – ₹14 lakh |
| MNCs, FMCG and large corporates | ₹12 lakh – ₹20 lakh |
| Investment banks / financial services | ₹15 lakh – ₹30 lakh |
| PSUs and public sector banks | ₹10 lakh – ₹18 lakh (CTC) |
| Mid-size CA firms | ₹6 lakh – ₹9 lakh |
| Small CA firms (Tier-2/3 cities) | ₹3 lakh – ₹6 lakh |
These are indicative ranges. Actual offers vary by role, rank and city.
CA Salary Per Month: In-Hand Calculation
A ₹13 lakh CTC does not mean ₹1.08 lakh lands in your bank every month. CTC includes employer PF, gratuity and usually a variable bonus. Below is a realistic in-hand calculation for a ₹13 LPA package (FY 2026-27, new tax regime).
Assumptions: 10% variable pay (₹1.3 lakh paid yearly), basic pay at 40% of fixed CTC, PF on full basic.
| Component | Monthly Amount (₹) |
|---|---|
| Fixed CTC (₹11.70 lakh ÷ 12) | 97,500 |
| Less: Employer PF (12% of basic) | 4,680 |
| Less: Gratuity (4.81% of basic) | 1,876 |
| Gross salary | 90,944 |
| Less: Employee PF (12% of basic) | 4,680 |
| Less: Professional tax (varies by state) | 200 |
| Less: Income tax | 0 |
| In-hand salary per month | ≈ ₹86,000 |
Income tax comes to zero here. Total taxable income (gross + bonus − ₹75,000 standard deduction) is about ₹11.46 lakh, which stays within the ₹12 lakh rebate limit under the new regime. The yearly bonus of ₹1.3 lakh is paid separately.
CA In-Hand Salary at Different Packages
| Annual CTC | Approx. In-Hand Per Month |
|---|---|
| ₹6 lakh | ₹44,000 – ₹47,000 |
| ₹9 lakh | ₹62,000 – ₹66,000 |
| ₹13 lakh | ₹82,000 – ₹90,000 |
| ₹20 lakh | ₹1.20 lakh – ₹1.30 lakh |
| ₹30 lakh | ₹1.70 lakh – ₹1.85 lakh |
In-hand pay changes with salary structure, variable pay share, PF basis and tax regime.
CA Salary in Big 4 Firms
Big 4 firms are the largest recruiters of newly qualified CAs. They pay well, but the real value is the brand and training, which raise your pay when you move to industry later.
| Big 4 Designation | Experience | Salary (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| Associate / Consultant | 0–2 years | ₹9 lakh – ₹14 lakh |
| Senior Consultant | 2–4 years | ₹14 lakh – ₹20 lakh |
| Assistant Manager | 3–5 years | ₹18 lakh – ₹25 lakh |
| Manager | 5–8 years | ₹25 lakh – ₹38 lakh |
| Associate Director | 8–12 years | ₹40 lakh – ₹60 lakh |
| Director / Partner | 12+ years | ₹70 lakh – ₹2 crore+ |
Advisory roles (deals, transaction services, forensic, valuation) usually pay more than statutory audit and tax compliance roles at the same level.
CA Salary in Government Jobs and PSUs
Many people search for “CA government job salary”. CAs are hired by public sector banks, PSUs (ONGC, NTPC, IOCL, Coal India, PFC, etc.) and regulators. Pay follows fixed bank scales or the IDA pay scale for PSU executives.
| Government Employer | Post / Grade | Basic Pay Scale (₹ per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Public sector banks | Officer (JMGS-I) | 48,480 – 85,920 |
| Public sector banks | Manager – CA (MMGS-II) | 64,820 – 93,960 |
| Public sector banks | Senior Manager (MMGS-III) | 85,920 – 1,05,280 |
| CPSEs (IDA scale) | E1 executive | 40,000 – 1,40,000 |
| CPSEs (IDA scale) | E2 executive | 50,000 – 1,60,000 |
| CPSEs (IDA scale) | E3 executive | 60,000 – 1,80,000 |
For example, as per the Union Bank of India Recruitment Project 2026-27, 85 of the 395 specialist officer posts were for Chartered Accountants, with Manager (MMGS-II) pay at ₹64,820–₹93,960 basic. On top of basic, bank officers get DA, special allowance, HRA or leased housing, medical cover, LFC and pension under NPS.
Government CA jobs pay less than top private offers at entry level, but job security, perks and pension benefits make the total value competitive.
Allowances & Benefits for CAs
Since most CAs work in the private sector, benefits depend on the employer. Common ones include:
- Performance bonus / variable pay: usually 5–20% of CTC
- Provident Fund and gratuity: standard in all organised employers
- Health insurance: for self and family, often with parents’ cover
- Leave encashment and paid leave: 18–30 days a year
- Joining bonus: offered by some MNCs and investment banks
- ESOPs: at listed companies and startups, mainly for senior roles
- Government roles: DA, HRA or quarters, medical, LTC/LFC, NPS pension, perks under cafeteria allowance in PSUs
CA Salary by Experience (Career Growth)
Experience is the biggest driver of CA salary. Typical growth in industry looks like this:
| Experience | Typical Role | Salary (Per Annum) |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Audit/Tax Associate, Finance Executive | ₹7 lakh – ₹14 lakh |
| 2–5 years | Senior Associate, Assistant Manager | ₹12 lakh – ₹25 lakh |
| 5–10 years | Finance Manager, Manager | ₹20 lakh – ₹45 lakh |
| 10–15 years | Financial Controller, AVP, Director | ₹35 lakh – ₹70 lakh |
| 15+ years | CFO, Partner, Finance Head | ₹70 lakh – ₹5 crore+ |
CFOs of large listed companies in India earn several crore a year, including ESOPs and bonuses. These are the highest salaries of CAs in India.
City-Wise CA Salary in India
CA pay changes a lot by city because Big 4 offices, banks and MNC headquarters are concentrated in metros.
| City | Fresher Salary (Per Annum) | 5 Years Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Mumbai | ₹10 lakh – ₹15 lakh | ₹25 lakh – ₹40 lakh |
| Bengaluru | ₹9 lakh – ₹14 lakh | ₹22 lakh – ₹38 lakh |
| Delhi NCR / Gurugram | ₹9 lakh – ₹14 lakh | ₹22 lakh – ₹36 lakh |
| Pune / Hyderabad | ₹8 lakh – ₹12 lakh | ₹20 lakh – ₹32 lakh |
| Chennai / Kolkata | ₹7 lakh – ₹11 lakh | ₹18 lakh – ₹28 lakh |
| Ahmedabad / Jaipur | ₹6 lakh – ₹10 lakh | ₹15 lakh – ₹25 lakh |
| Lucknow / Indore / other Tier-2 | ₹4 lakh – ₹8 lakh | ₹12 lakh – ₹20 lakh |
Indicative ranges based on current market trends; not official figures.
Income of a Practising CA
A CA in practice has no salary. Income comes from professional fees for audit, GST and income-tax filing, company law work, advisory and certification.
- First 1–3 years: ₹4 lakh – ₹10 lakh a year (building clients)
- Established practice (5–10 years): ₹15 lakh – ₹50 lakh a year
- Large firms with partners and staff: ₹1 crore and above
Practice income is uncertain at the start but has no upper limit. Many CAs work in a firm or industry for a few years before starting their own practice.
CA Salary Abroad
Indian CAs are in demand in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Singapore, the UK and Australia. ICAI also runs an overseas placement programme. International offers in the 2026 campus crossed ₹50 lakh per annum. In Gulf countries, tax-free pay adds to the take-home value.
Job Profile & Duties of a CA
- Statutory, internal and tax audits
- Income tax and GST compliance and planning
- Preparing and analysing financial statements
- Budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting
- Company law, valuation and due diligence work
- Advising management on business and investment decisions
How to Become a CA (Eligibility)
Students can register for CA Foundation after Class 10 and appear after Class 12. The path is Foundation → Intermediate → articleship → Final. Graduates in commerce (with required marks) can enter directly at the Intermediate level. After passing CA Final and completing articleship, you become an ICAI member.
CA Salary vs Similar Professions
| Course / Profession | Fresher Salary (Per Annum) | After 5–7 Years |
|---|---|---|
| CA (Chartered Accountant) | ₹7 lakh – ₹13 lakh | ₹20 lakh – ₹40 lakh |
| CMA (Cost Accountant) | ₹5 lakh – ₹9 lakh | ₹12 lakh – ₹25 lakh |
| CS (Company Secretary) | ₹4 lakh – ₹8 lakh | ₹10 lakh – ₹22 lakh |
| ACCA | ₹4 lakh – ₹8 lakh | ₹12 lakh – ₹25 lakh |
| MBA Finance (non-top college) | ₹5 lakh – ₹10 lakh | ₹12 lakh – ₹25 lakh |
Indicative ranges; top-institute MBAs and global certifications can pay more in specific roles.
FAQs
What is the salary of a CA in India per month?
A fresher CA earns about ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per month in hand, depending on the employer. With a ₹13 LPA package, in-hand pay is around ₹85,000–₹90,000 per month.
What is the starting salary of a CA in India?
The starting salary is ₹7–13 lakh per year across the industry. Through ICAI campus placement, the average was ₹13.30 lakh per annum in the April–May 2026 drive.
What is the highest salary of a CA in India?
For freshers, the highest domestic campus offer was ₹32.33 lakh per annum in the December 2025–January 2026 drive. Experienced CAs working as CFOs or Big 4 partners earn ₹1 crore to several crore a year.
How much does a CA earn in Big 4 firms?
Freshers earn ₹9–14 lakh per annum at Big 4 firms. Managers earn ₹25–38 lakh, and partners earn ₹70 lakh to ₹2 crore or more.
What is the salary of a CA in a government job?
In public sector banks, a CA joining as Manager (MMGS-II) gets basic pay of ₹64,820–₹93,960 plus DA and other allowances. In PSUs, CAs usually join at E1 or E2 grades of the IDA pay scale.
Is CA salary higher than MBA?
CA freshers earn more than graduates from most MBA colleges. Graduates of top IIMs can earn more at entry level, but CAs catch up quickly in finance roles.
What is CA salary after 5 years?
After 5 years, most CAs earn ₹20–35 lakh per year. Those in investment banking, deals advisory or large MNCs can earn more.
Do CAs earn more in practice or a job?
A job gives a stable salary from day one. Practice starts slow, but an established practice can earn more than most jobs over time.
Final Thoughts
The salary of a CA in India is among the highest for any professional course, with freshers averaging ₹12–13 lakh in ICAI campus drives and strong growth after 5 years. Your employer, city and specialisation matter as much as the qualification. Big 4 and MNCs pay well early, government roles offer security, and practice offers the highest long-term upside.
Note: Salary figures are based on ICAI placement data, official recruitment notifications and current market trends, and may change with new placement drives and pay revisions.
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