Senior title, same pay? 6 in 10 professionals say designation does not match

An Indeed survey found six in 10 professionals in India say their designation does not match their pay. The findings show titles still matter, but employees increasingly expect them to bring responsibility and compensation.Senior title, same pay? 6 in 10 professionals say designation does not match (Image: magnific.com)Nearly six in 10 professionals in India say their job title does not reflect their compensation, highlighting a growing gap between professional recognition and financial rewards at workplaces, according to Indeed's latest quarterly Hiring Tracker.The survey found that nearly 80 per cent of professionals believe title inflation has become common across industries. Many respondents said they have seen colleagues receive increasingly senior designations without a comparable increase in pay.SALARY TAKES PRIORITY OVER DESIGNATIONNearly one in three professionals who received a title change in the past two years said it came with either no salary increase or an increment of less than 5 per cent.At the same time, 52 per cent of professionals said they would prefer a higher salary over a better designation when considering a new job opportunity. The findings indicate that while titles can influence career prospects, compensation remains a key measure of career progression. However, professionals continue to place value on their designations. Nearly 70 per cent said their job title plays an important role in shaping future career opportunities. Almost 73% believe that a stronger designation improves how potential employers perceive them.Further, 57% said their designation has a significant impact on their overall job satisfaction.EMPLOYERS INCREASINGLY USE SENIOR TITLES The survey also highlighted the growing use of job titles as a talent management tool. Around 57% of employers said their organisations use senior-sounding or enhanced job titles to some or a great extent to attract or retain employees.Employers said changing market expectations and organisational structures are among the factors driving this trend. For some organisations, enhanced designations are also being used to recognise employee growth and retain high-performing staff when salary budgets are limited.Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Indeed India, said job titles remain important because they signal professional identity, opportunity and capability. However, he said titles are most effective when they reflect genuine career progression rather than becoming a substitute for it.TITLE, RESPONSIBILITY AND PAY NEED TO ALIGNThe findings point to a difference in how employers and employees view promotions. While organisations may consider titles one of several ways to recognise employees, professionals continue to associate meaningful career progression with financial growth.The survey suggests that a better designation still matters to employees, but it is increasingly expected to come with greater responsibility and improved compensation.The survey was conducted by Valuvox on behalf of Indeed in May and June 2026. It covered 2,533 employees and 1,211 employers across India, including respondents from different industries, organisation sizes, career stages and locations, including Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and rural areas.- EndsPublished By: Mridusmita DekaPublished On: Aug 18, 2026 13:20 IST