A Hyderabad-based developer’s post on the popular subreddit r/developersIndia has ignited a storm of responses, as job seekers from across the country weighed in on regional disparities in pay, hiring trends, and career stagnation. The original post, bluntly titled “Hyderabad is screwed than Bangalore,” came from a professional with 11 years of experience and a total compensation of ₹65 lakh, now struggling to get callbacks from companies in Hyderabad.
Another user remarked, “Total comp is kind of a context-specific value. I had an interview offer for 1.2cr, but most of it was in worthless paper ESOPs.” This reflected a recurring sentiment: compensation on paper often hides the reality of deferred or unstable payouts.
One user shared a sobering anecdote of her husband, also from Bengaluru, who was laid off despite a 60LPA base. He struggled for six months, with companies offering significantly lower salaries, until he finally found a new job. Fortunately, a lack of EMIs meant he could hold out.
One Redditor put it succinctly: “Bangalore companies will nod at everything during interviews. But in the end, they’ll offer you the same or less, citing budget constraints.”
‘Ecosystem Is the Issue’: A Tale of Two Cities
The poster noted that high-paying roles in Hyderabad are limited to top-tier companies like FAANG; roles he admitted were difficult to land. “There seems to be a limited number of mid-to-high tier product companies in Hyderabad that offer competitive pay,” he wrote. In contrast, Bengaluru appeared more responsive, even if the offers weren’t ideal.Netizens Sound Off
What followed was a flood of Redditors sharing similar experiences and bitter truths. One user from Ahmedabad wrote that salaries rarely go beyond 15LPA there. Another claimed their city capped compensation at 17LPA—and said a recruiter even called them “nuts” for asking for more.Another user remarked, “Total comp is kind of a context-specific value. I had an interview offer for 1.2cr, but most of it was in worthless paper ESOPs.” This reflected a recurring sentiment: compensation on paper often hides the reality of deferred or unstable payouts.
One user shared a sobering anecdote of her husband, also from Bengaluru, who was laid off despite a 60LPA base. He struggled for six months, with companies offering significantly lower salaries, until he finally found a new job. Fortunately, a lack of EMIs meant he could hold out.
A Broken Market or Just Misplaced Expectations?
Some pointed out that the original poster’s high salary bracket and experience might not reflect the average job seeker’s journey. “Your CTC and YOE are out of the curve,” one user commented. Yet many agreed that it's not just geography—it’s the job market itself that’s faltering.One Redditor put it succinctly: “Bangalore companies will nod at everything during interviews. But in the end, they’ll offer you the same or less, citing budget constraints.”
