Salary Guide · India 2026
Cisco India (Bengaluru) is the company's largest global engineering campus outside the US with ~15,000 employees. It covers core routing and switching software, SD-WAN, WebEx (Cisco Collaboration), security, and cloud networking. The figures below reflect total CTC — base, variable, and equity combined — at the 25th–90th percentile of reported Cisco offers in India, cross-checked against AmbitionBox and Glassdoor.
Software Engineer · Lead / 10–12 yrs
₹80L – ₹137Ltotal CTC
Salary bands for 27 roles at Cisco, from Software Engineer to UX Designer — see all below.
Working at Cisco
~15,000 employees in India. Bengaluru campus is Cisco's largest engineering site globally outside San Jose. Hyderabad and Pune also have significant presence.
What the interview actually tests
CSCO RSU vests 25% per year for 4 years. Interview: networking fundamentals matter more at Cisco than at most product companies: OSI model, TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, MPLS are real interview topics alongside standard DS&A. WebEx teams focus more on real-time media (WebRTC, RTP, SRTP).
Role
Total CTC ranges for Software Engineers at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹17.2L – ₹25L | RSU₹2L – ₹5L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹27.4L – ₹46.4L | RSU₹5L – ₹12L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹50.2L – ₹89.5L | RSU₹14L – ₹30L/yr |
| Lead / 10–12 yrs | ₹80L – ₹137L | RSU₹25L – ₹55L/yr |
Role
Total CTC ranges for Business Analysts at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹7.2L – ₹14.4L | RSU₹0.3L – ₹0.9L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹12.9L – ₹17.7L | RSU |
| Lead / 10–12 yrs | ₹24L – ₹45L | RSU₹1L – ₹2.7L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What Devops Engineers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹9.9L – ₹12.6L | RSU |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹13.1L – ₹17.9L | RSU |
AB yoe-bucket scrape: Devops Engineer 3-6y (n=86); n=86; equity split estimated.
Role
What Engineering Managers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹68.8L – ₹84.1L | RSU₹20L – ₹35L/yr |
Role
Total CTC ranges for Network Engineers at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹7.4L – ₹8.8L | RSU |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹9.6L – ₹13.7L | RSU |
AB yoe-bucket scrape: Network Engineer 1-3y (n=126); Network Engineer 3-6y (n=165); n=291; equity split estimated.
Role
What Product Managers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹27.6L | RSU₹1.7L – ₹3.9L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹32.5L – ₹41.4L | RSU |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹34.9L – ₹42.3L | RSU |
| Lead / 10–12 yrs | ₹34.1L – ₹46.1L | RSU |
| Manager / 12+ yrs | ₹54L – ₹105L | RSU₹5.1L – ₹14.7L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for Program Managers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹26.4L – ₹32.1L | RSU |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹30L – ₹57L | RSU₹2.9L – ₹8L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹54L – ₹105L | RSU₹5.1L – ₹14.7L/yr |
| Manager / 12+ yrs | ₹114L – ₹207L | RSU₹11L – ₹29L/yr |
AB yoe-bucket scrape: Program Manager 12+y (n=61); n=61; equity split estimated.
Role
What Project Managers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹20L – ₹22.6L | RSU |
AB yoe-bucket scrape: Project Manager 12+y (n=79); n=79; equity split estimated.
Role
Cisco's pay bands for QA Engineers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹5.6L – ₹6.2L | RSU |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹5.8L – ₹6.8L | RSU |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹19.2L – ₹36.6L | RSU₹0.5L – ₹1.5L/yr |
AB yoe-bucket scrape: Softwaretest Engineer 0-1y (n=44); n=44; equity split estimated.
Role
Total CTC ranges for AI Engineers at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What Backend Developers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹12L – ₹22.8L | RSU₹1.2L – ₹3.2L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹21.6L – ₹40.8L | RSU₹2L – ₹5.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹42L – ₹78L | RSU₹4L – ₹10.9L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for Cloud Engineers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What Customer Success Managers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹5.4L – ₹9.9L | RSU₹0.1L – ₹0.2L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹9.6L – ₹18L | RSU₹0.1L – ₹0.3L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹31.2L | RSU₹0.2L – ₹0.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Total CTC ranges for Cybersecuritys at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for Data Analysts in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for Data Engineers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Total CTC ranges for Data Scientists at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What Design Engineers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹5.4L – ₹9.9L | RSU₹0.1L – ₹0.2L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹9.6L – ₹18L | RSU₹0.1L – ₹0.3L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹31.2L | RSU₹0.2L – ₹0.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What DevOps / SREs actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What Finance Managers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹7.2L – ₹14.4L | RSU₹0.1L – ₹0.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹14.4L – ₹28.8L | RSU₹0.2L – ₹0.6L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹26.4L – ₹52.2L | RSU₹0.3L – ₹1.1L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for Frontend Developers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹12L – ₹22.8L | RSU₹1.2L – ₹3.2L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹21.6L – ₹40.8L | RSU₹2L – ₹5.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹42L – ₹78L | RSU₹4L – ₹10.9L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What HR Managers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹12L – ₹22.8L | RSU₹0.3L – ₹0.9L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹21.6L – ₹40.8L | RSU₹0.6L – ₹1.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Total CTC ranges for Marketing Managers at Cisco India, from fresher to senior level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹7.2L – ₹13.2L | RSU₹0.2L – ₹0.6L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹14.4L – ₹28.8L | RSU₹0.4L – ₹1.1L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹26.4L – ₹56.4L | RSU₹0.7L – ₹2.3L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for ML Engineers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
Cisco's pay bands for Operations Managers in India, fresher through senior.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹16.8L – ₹29.4L | RSU₹2.1L – ₹5.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹4.1L – ₹11.7L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹60L – ₹120L | RSU₹7.2L – ₹21.6L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What Sales / Account Executives actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹6L – ₹11.4L | RSU |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹9.6L – ₹19.8L | RSU |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹18L – ₹36L | RSU |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
Role
What UX Designers actually earn at Cisco in India, across every experience level.
| Experience Level | Total CTC (LPA) | Equity |
|---|---|---|
| Fresher / 0–2 yrs | ₹9.6L – ₹19.2L | RSU₹0.8L – ₹2.3L/yr |
| Mid-level / 3–5 yrs | ₹19.2L – ₹36.6L | RSU₹1.6L – ₹4.4L/yr |
| Senior / 6–9 yrs | ₹33.6L – ₹64.8L | RSU₹2.7L – ₹7.8L/yr |
Negotiation focus: Fixed salary + level calibration + variable/equity clarity + joining bonus + notice buyout. HR posture: "This is above our current band; we may have limited flexibility on fixed salary."
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