Average salary in India: Official figures and how they relate to Australia
If you're looking for the average salary in India, the most reliable source is the Indian government's Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). The latest available data, from the PLFS 2025 annual report, provides average wage estimates for different employment types. Here's what the data shows and how it compares to the Australian full-time average.
What the Indian data tells us
The PLFS 2025 reports average wages for two main categories:
- Regular wage/salaried employment: The average monthly wage for all persons is 22,699 Indian rupees. For males it is 24,217 rupees, and for females it is 18,353 rupees.
- Casual labour: The average daily wage for all persons is 453 rupees. For males it is 489 rupees, and for females it is 324 rupees.
These figures are published by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and are based on a large-scale household survey. They represent the most current official measure of average earnings in India.
Why a direct comparison with Australia is tricky
The Australian full-time adult average weekly ordinary time earnings is $2,083.70 per week, or about $108,352 per year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). This is the benchmark used on this site to compare any salary.
To compare the Indian average to this Australian figure, you would need to:
- Convert the Indian monthly wage to a weekly figure (roughly 22,699 rupees ÷ 4.33 weeks ≈ 5,242 rupees per week).
- Convert rupees to Australian dollars using the current exchange rate.
Because exchange rates fluctuate and the cost of living differs greatly between the two countries, a simple numerical comparison can be misleading. The Indian data is also reported on a different basis (monthly for regular wage, daily for casual labour) and uses a different currency.
What this means for you
If you are considering a salary in India or comparing it to Australian earnings, it's important to look beyond the raw numbers. Consider purchasing power, local living costs, and the specific industry or occupation. For Australian salaries, you can use this site's tool to place a salary on the line and see how it compares to the national full-time average.
Other Australian benchmarks to keep in mind
While the Indian average is not directly comparable, it's useful to know where Australian salaries sit:
- Full-time median: About $90,532 per year (ABS Employee Earnings, August 2025).
- All-employees median: About $74,100 per year.
- National minimum wage: $26.44 per hour, $1,004.90 per week, or about $52,255 per year on a 38-hour week (Fair Work, from 1 July 2026).
These figures are in Australian dollars and are based on Australian labour market data. For more details on how these figures are set, see How the figures are set.
State and territory averages in Australia
If you're comparing a salary in Australia to the national average, remember that averages vary by location. For example, the full-time average in New South Wales is about $109,658, while in Tasmania it is about $96,008. You can explore all states and territories on the States and territories page.
Final thoughts
The average salary in India, as reported by the PLFS, provides a useful snapshot of earnings in that country. However, due to differences in currency, reporting period, and economic context, it cannot be directly compared to the Australian full-time average without additional adjustments. For Australian salary comparisons, always use the ABS and Fair Work data as your reference points.