Techie calls out ‘delusion’ around tech salaries after PG owner assumes he earns ₹3 lakh a month
A techie shared how his PG owner assumed he earned ₹3 lakh monthly.
A tech professional recently sparked an online discussion after sharing a humorous yet telling interaction with his paying guest accommodation owner about salaries in the technology sector.

(Also read: Bengaluru techie gives grandfather’s rotary phone an AI makeover: ‘I was tired of talking to ugly plastic boxes’)
Taking to X, a man identified as Abhishek wrote about a conversation that left him amused. In his post, he said: “The amount of delusion created among common folks in India regarding tech jobs is crazy,, My PG owner asks me today - ‘Bhaiya aapki monthly salary 3 Lakh hai na, dont lie’ - bhaii itni hoti toh mai tumhare paas rehta thodi.”
The Hindi portion of his post roughly translates to: “Brother, your monthly salary is ₹3 lakh, right? Don’t lie. If I actually earned that much, do you think I would still be living in your PG?”
The candid remark resonated with many social media users who felt that assumptions about tech salaries are often exaggerated. While the technology industry is widely perceived as lucrative, many professionals say the reality is far more nuanced.
Take a look here at the post:
Social media users relate to the experience
Soon after it was shared, the post began drawing reactions from users who said they had encountered similar assumptions from friends, relatives or acquaintances. Many pointed out that the narrative around high paying tech jobs often overlooks the large number of professionals who earn more modest salaries.
One user responded to the post saying, “I feel the same,” suggesting that misconceptions about income levels are quite common. Another commented, “Corporate salaries are way overhyped these days.”
Some users reacted with humour. One person wrote, “Hahaha, this made me laugh”.
Others joined the discussion with their own takes on the issue. One user remarked, “People assume every tech employee earns like a Silicon Valley engineer.” Another added, “The reality of most tech jobs is very different from what people imagine.”
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
ABOUT THE AUTHORMahipal Singh ChouhanMahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. He primarily covers offbeat, trending and human-interest stories, with a focus on emerging social media trends, online conversations and real-world incidents that capture public attention. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal works on identifying and developing fast-moving digital stories, adding context and journalistic perspective to viral moments while maintaining accuracy, clarity and readability for online audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling. He holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. Beyond journalism, he has a keen interest in history and sports and enjoys expanding his general knowledge.Read More

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