API Developer Salary in India: Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered how much data is being stored in massive data centers or in cloud servers? Now we are living in an era where it has become almost impossible to quantify data. Think of it like the Universe, which doesn’t have any fixed area or boundary; in fact, it is ever-expanding. Similarly, data is generated and consumed regularly, and it keeps growing every second.                  

Through these data or information, the entire IT (information technology) ecosystem runs smoothly. But how do the different elements existing in this vast virtual web interact with each other? The answer lies in the Application Programming Interfaces (API). APIs are the medium via which various applications and software systems communicate with each other safely and securely.         

Without APIs, the apps and websites that we use for our routine activities would become technically stagnant and isolated, because APIs are the keys that unlock the path for data flows between different applications.  

And due to the essentiality of APIs, big tech giants and fast-paced Indian startups are always actively engaged in hiring API Developers. In the field of development, API development is one of the most challenging yet most prosperous software jobs in India. So, to lay the focus on this scenario, let’s begin our discussion by first understanding API Development.

What Is API Development and Its Working Mechanism?

API development is the comprehensive process of building and managing APIs to ensure software applications are linked with each other and exchange valuable and sensitive business data at the optimum speed and reliability.  

• The development cycle starts with requirement analysis and building API structure ( that includes endpoints (URLs), request types GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and data formats like JSON, XML).

• Then, after laying the foundation for the development environment, the actual code execution begins to handle users’ requests, process data, and efficiently fetch information.

• Unit, integration, and security testing are then applied to check the capacity of the API to handle heavy online traffic concentration and how robust it is in defending the systems and applications from unauthorized access.  

• Developers also maintain proper detailed documentation on how to use the API because excellent API documentation is very crucial for usability and in minimizing technical support tickets.   

• After completing every core development checklist, the final stage involves deploying the APIs onto production servers or cloud platforms.

API Development Skills

• Strong knowledge of programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Node.js, or Go for building APIs.

• Understanding of REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and how APIs communicate over the web.

• Familiarity with databases (SQL, NoSQL) to fetch and manage data efficiently.

• Knowledge of authentication, security, and encryption to protect data.

• Ability to write clear documentation and design APIs that are easy for other developers to use.

Responsibility of an API Developer

• Design and build APIs that allow software systems to communicate effectively.

• Ensure APIs are secure, fast, and reliable, handling errors gracefully.

• Maintain and update APIs, fixing bugs and improving performance over time.

• Create and maintain documentation so other developers can understand and use the API.

• Collaborate with teams (frontend, backend, DevOps) to integrate APIs into applications seamlessly.

• Based on these skills and responsibilities, as well as the experience level, the salary of an API Developer in India is determined.

API Developer Salary in India

After observing the software job market in India, the salary of API developers mainly varies in two categories: the first one is Experience, and the second is Location. Let’s take a look at an overview of these two categories.

Salary by Experience Level

• Entry-Level API Developers: Freshers or developers with less than 2 years of experience can expect monthly salaries ranging from ₹30k to ₹75k, translating to an annual package of ₹3.6–9 LPA. At this stage, developers typically focus on learning API design, integration, and testing, while gaining hands-on experience with tools like Postman, Swagger, and RESTful frameworks.

• Mid-Level API Developers: Professionals with 2–5 years of experience earn between ₹83k and ₹1.5L per month, equivalent to ₹10–18 LPA annually. Mid-level developers are expected to handle more complex API development, ensure security and scalability, work on microservices architecture, and may start mentoring junior developers.

• Senior-Level API Developers: Experienced and senior professionals with 5+ years of experience can command salaries from ₹1.25L to ₹2.08L per month, or ₹15–25 LPA yearly. Senior developers often lead API strategy, optimize performance, manage API lifecycle, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless backend integration.

( Source: Glassdoor )

Salary Based on Location

• Bengaluru: API developers in Bengaluru enjoy the highest salary range, with monthly pay between ₹1.2L–₹2.17L (₹14.4L–₹26L per annum), making it the top choice for professionals seeking lucrative opportunities in tech hubs.

• Pune: Pune provides a good mix of established IT firms and multinational companies, with salaries ranging from ₹60k– ₹ 1.74 lakh per month (₹ 7.2 lakh to ₹ 20.88 lakh per annum), making it suitable for both growth and work-life balance.

• Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s salary range of ₹70k–₹1.5 lakh per month (₹8.4 lakh–₹18 lakh per annum) reflects the city’s expanding tech ecosystem, with global giants like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon offering competitive packages.

• Mumbai: Mumbai provides opportunities in financial technology and consulting sectors, with monthly salaries ranging from ₹50k–₹1.5L (₹6L–₹18L per annum), attracting developers who prefer working with finance-focused companies and multinational consultancies.

( Source: Glassdoor,  UpGrad )

API Developer vs. Software Developer Salary in India and Their Earning Potential

In India, the software industry is very diverse, and there are many factors ( like experience, technical skills, location, type of tech role, kind of projects one has been deployed, and the type of companies one has worked for) that influence the salary of a professional. However, regarding this section, it is the job role that we are considering as the deciding factor.

API developers, whose area of specialization is in designing, building, and maintaining APIs for business organizations, often start their career with a slightly lower entry-level remuneration compared to the majority of fresher software developer jobs. But that doesn’t mean they are not leading towards a lucrative tech career path. The demand for API Developers is increasing steadily as they play an integral role in developing an integrated platform, delivering cloud services, and designing microservice architectures.   

On the other hand, Software Developers, who primarily invest their time and effort in developing front-end, back-end, and full-stack projects and applications, have a wider operating area as they have the responsibilities to build end-to-end software products, due to which, in most cases, they generally start with a high base salary compared to API Developers. But when it comes to long-term earnings, it purely depends on the quality and complexity of projects they are building, or what type of features and functionalities are developed by them.

Ultimately, mastering in-demand skills can make both API and software development gratifying careers in India, with the potential to earn ₹25 LPA or more.

Build a successful and highly rewarding career by enrolling in HCL GUVI’s IITM Pravartak & MongoDB certified AI Software Development course, where you master software development & Gen AI, along with all the key areas, without any distractions. To upskill yourself further and lay a robust foundation in API, you can also join HCL GUVI’s REST API Development course, where you can understand the intricacies of HTTP requests, learn how to perform CRUD operations with non-sequential databases, and also build proficiency in creating backend server programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, API Developers are no longer the sidekicks in developing real-world applications and projects; they have already started becoming part of the core development unit for enhancing the overall development quality. In India, API developers have the opportunity to enjoy strong salary growth, with earning potential ranging from ₹3.6 LPA at the entry level to over ₹25 LPA for experienced professionals. As the technological landscape is constantly evolving, the demand for competent API developers is also rising, making it one of the future-proof career options for aspiring software engineers.

FAQs

What is the average salary for an API Developer in India?

Based on the current market trend, the average base salary of an API developer in India ranges between ₹5,00,000 per annum to ₹13,00,000 per annum.

Which city pays the highest salary range to API Developers in India?

Among all tech hubs in India, Bengaluru offers the highest salary range, ranging from ₹14.4 lakh to ₹26 lakh per annum.

Do API developers in India earn less salary than the software developers?

It depends on their experience level. If we have to consider the entry-level salary, then the answer is yes. But as they gain expertise over the years and gain advanced technical skills, it is sometimes higher than that of many software development roles.

What are the most determining factors that influence the salary of API developers in India?

The most determining factors that influence the API developers’ salary in India are: experience level, location, quality of projects attached to the portfolio, proven track record of implementing the latest tools and technologies, previous company’s brand value, etc.

Is opting for API Development a pragmatic career choice an individual can make?

Yes, the growing demand for APIs in cloud, mobile apps, fintech, and SaaS industries makes API development one of the most future-proof and high-paying tech careers.