2009 salary report: Hewitt sees pay growth, lesser layoffs

Junior managerial employees can expect a maximum salary growth with a projected increase of 8.8% against 14.3%, which they achieved in 2008. The top management, according to the survey, can expect a relatively slower growth at 7.4% against 12.4% growth registered in 2008.

Stringent evaluation

The survey found that nine out of 10 companies are still giving promotions to deserving candidates. However, "Organisations are going to be far more strategic in the way they provide salary increases across levels of management and definitely more stringent in the way they evaluate performance to increase salaries," Chaudhry said.

Pharma comes trumps

Sector-wise, the pharmaceutical industry is expected to see the maximum salary growth with an average projected increase of 13% followed by telecom services at a distant second with 11.3% and FMCG coming in at a close third with 11%.