The demand for skilled HR professionals is rising rapidly, making an MBA in HR one of the most sought-after specializations in MBA in India programs. With increasing corporate focus on talent management and people strategy, HR salary trends have seen a significant jump. Whether you're a fresher exploring opportunities or aiming for executive roles, understanding the MBA HR salary landscape is crucial. In this article, we’ll dive deep into salary insights for 2025, experience-wise trends, college-wise packages, CAT-based admissions, and how to choose the best career path in human resources after an MBA.

Infographic showing MBA in HR salary in India with graduation cap, currency notes, and coins

MBA in HR Salary in India – 2025 Overview

In 2025, the average MBA in HR salary in India is expected to range between ₹6.5 LPA to ₹12 LPA, with graduates from top-tier institutes like IIMs and XLRI earning ₹20–26 LPA or more. HR professionals are now key players in corporate strategy, contributing to organizational design, talent acquisition, and workforce analytics.

Entry-level salary: ₹3 LPA – ₹6 LPA
Mid-level salary: ₹8 LPA – ₹15 LPA
Senior-level salary: ₹20 LPA – ₹40+ LPA

MBA HR Salary in Top MBA Colleges in India

Graduates from premier institutes typically command higher salaries due to rigorous training and corporate exposure. Here's a look at the average HR salary in some of the best MBA colleges:

Institute	Average HR Salary (₹ LPA)
IIM Ahmedabad	26.0
XLRI Jamshedpur	22.5
TISS Mumbai	23.6
IIM Lucknow	19.0
SCMHRD Pune	14.0

Also check the Top 50 MBA Colleges in India 2025 for more institute-wise placement comparisons.

MBA HR Salary for Freshers Per Month

Fresh graduates with an MBA in HR can expect a monthly salary between ₹25,000 and ₹50,000. This varies based on the industry, location, and institute tier.

Fresher in IT Services: ₹30,000 – ₹45,000
Fresher in Manufacturing: ₹25,000 – ₹35,000
Startup HR roles: ₹20,000 – ₹30,000

MBA HR Salary in TCS and Other IT Companies

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and similar IT firms offer structured pay scales for MBA HR professionals.

HR Associate at TCS: ₹3.5 LPA – ₹5.5 LPA
HRBP or Senior Analyst: ₹6.5 LPA – ₹10 LPA

For elite placements, refer to IIM Ahmedabad's Global Ranking & Salary Insights 2025 and how top roles align.

MBA in HR Experience-Wise Salary Progression

Salary significantly increases with experience, especially when HR professionals upskill or take on cross-functional responsibilities.

Experience	Designation	Salary Range (₹ LPA)
0–2 years	HR Executive / Analyst	₹3 – ₹6
3–5 years	HR Manager / L&D Specialist	₹8 – ₹12
6–10 years	HRBP / Talent Head	₹14 – ₹25
10+ years	CHRO / HR Director	₹30 – ₹60+

Looking to break into mid-senior roles quickly? Read How to Crack CAT in 6 Months – 2025 Guide.

MBA HR Monthly Salary Estimates in 2025

Freshers: ₹25,000 – ₹50,000
3–5 years experience: ₹65,000 – ₹1,20,000
6–10 years experience: ₹1,40,000 – ₹2,50,000
10+ years: ₹3,00,000+

HR Salary in India After MBA – Sector-Wise Breakdown

IT & Consulting: ₹6 – ₹24 LPA
FMCG: ₹10 – ₹18 LPA
Manufacturing: ₹8 – ₹15 LPA
E-commerce: ₹5 – ₹12 LPA

Want to compare HR with analytics? Visit Top MBA Colleges for Business Analytics 2025

MBA HR Salary in Consulting Firms

Consulting firms offer some of the highest pay in HR roles, especially for talent and change management functions:

Deloitte: ₹10 – ₹22 LPA
PwC: ₹12 – ₹25 LPA
McKinsey / BCG: ₹20 – ₹30+ LPA

Consulting is one of the top-paying domains. Learn more in Top MBA Colleges for Consulting in India 2025

Salary Comparison by MBA Specialization

Specialization	Average Salary (₹ LPA)
HR	₹8 – ₹12
Finance	₹10 – ₹15
Marketing	₹9 – ₹13
Business Analytics	₹12 – ₹18

Explore MBA in Operations Management Salary & Scope 2025 for parallel opportunities.

Top MBA HR Colleges Accepting CAT

CAT-accepting colleges with top HR programs include:

IIM Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bangalore
IITs (Delhi, Mumbai)
FMS Delhi
MDI Gurgaon

For more information, read How to Get Into IIM Ahmedabad and CAT Score vs Percentile 2025 for cutoffs.

Admission Process via CAT for MBA in HR

Register for CAT 2025 – Notification, Dates & Process
Shortlisting based on CAT percentile
WAT and PI rounds
Composite score calculation

CAT Exam Preparation for MBA in HR Specialization

Suggested focus areas:

VARC: Essential for HR communication and comprehension skills
DI & LR: Key for HR analytics and decision-making roles
QA: Less important for HR, but still necessary to clear cutoffs

CAT Eligibility for MBA in HR Programs

Minimum 50% marks in a bachelor’s degree (45% for SC/ST/PwD)
Final-year students are also eligible
Work experience is not mandatory but preferred in top colleges

Typical Cutoffs:

IIM A/B/C: 98–99%
IIM L/I/K: 94–96%

For waitlist data, review IIM Kashipur Waitlist Movements 2025

MBA HR Salary After Clearing CAT Exam

HR graduates from CAT-accepting institutes typically earn:

Average Salary: ₹12 – ₹18 LPA
Top Salary Packages: Up to ₹26 LPA or more

Salaries depend on institute, role, company, and location.

HR Salary After MBA From CAT Colleges

Graduates from IIMs, IITs, and FMS report:

Starting Salary: ₹8 – ₹12 LPA
Mid-Career: ₹15 – ₹25 LPA

Companies hiring include Deloitte, HUL, Accenture, and Flipkart.

Top CAT Colleges for MBA in HR with High Salary

IIM Bangalore
XLRI Jamshedpur (via XAT)
TISS Mumbai (via TISSNET)
IIM Lucknow
SCMHRD Pune (via SNAP)
MDI Gurgaon

MBA in HR Scope After CAT Exam

CAT-qualified candidates can explore:

Corporate HR (Talent Acquisition, Employee Engagement)
Learning & Development (L&D)
Industrial Relations
HR Analytics & Data-Driven HR
HR Consulting (Deloitte, PwC, KPMG)
Startups in HR Tech (Darwinbox, Keka, Zoho People)

Difference Between CAT and Other Exams for MBA HR

CAT: Required for IIMs, IITs, FMS, MDI
XAT: Required for XLRI (HRM program)
TISSNET: For TISS Mumbai (MA HRM)
SNAP: For Symbiosis (SCMHRD Pune)
MAT: Accepted by Tier-2/3 colleges

MBA in HR Syllabus in CAT Affiliated Colleges

Key subjects taught in HR specialization:

Core HRM, Organizational Behavior (OB)
Labor Law, Compensation Management
Performance Management Systems
Training & Development
HR Analytics, HR Tech Tools
Talent Acquisition, Workforce Planning

MBA HR Career Options After CAT-Based Admissions

Career paths for HR MBAs:

HR Consultant (Firms like Deloitte, PwC)
Corporate HR Executive / Manager
HR Business Partner (HRBP)
L&D Manager
Compensation & Benefits Analyst
HR Data Analyst / HR Analytics Specialist

Conclusion

An MBA in HR in 2025 offers a promising career with competitive salary prospects across industries. From freshers to senior professionals, the HR salary in India continues to grow steadily. Candidates targeting top roles should aim for CAT-driven HR programs in leading institutes. With the right skills and strategy, HR professionals can build a successful, high-paying career in India.