Regular salaried workers earn the most in Navi Mumbai, followed by Ranchi, Greater Mumbai and Delhi, according to the latest Statistics Ministry data covering over 46 million people across cities.On average, employees in million-plus cities earned₹28,808a month in 2025, compared with₹26,258in other urban areas.The data showed that home-making kept69% of womenout of the workforce. Other challenges persist as well, with22. 2% of youthnot in employment, education or training.Anoushka Sawhney takes a look:PAY VARIATION ACROSS CITIESGENDER PAY GAP PERSISTSAvg monthly wages for regular employees (Rs)31 CITIES EXCEED NATIONAL JOBLESS RATE OF 4.9%AT LEAST ONE IN FIVE YOUTH IS NOT IN EMPLOYMENT, EDU & TRAINING IN 32 CITIESSURAT TOPS LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION; 19 CITIES BEAT NATIONAL AVGERAGE
ET Graphics | Urban Workforce: Who earns more, who is missing in India
Navi Mumbai leads the pack in monthly earnings for salaried workers, with Ranchi, Greater Mumbai, and Delhi following closely. Across million-plus cities, the average monthly income reached ₹28,808 in 2025. However, significant challenges remain, including 69% of women out of the workforce due to homemaking and 22.2% of youth not engaged in employment, education, or training.
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