Career Options and Jobs After MCA

You’ve completed your degree, now, what comes next? A Master of Computer Application (MCA) is a gateway to many different in-demand careers in IT. While a bachelor's degree is required for many entry-level IT positions, an MCA degree may qualify you for leadership or more specialised roles. Discover the broad range of career options an MCA provides and the average salaries these careers pay. 

Jobs after MCA 

A Master of Computer Application (MCA) degree is a three-year or six-semester programme. To enroll, you’ll need to have a bachelor's degree. Your undergraduate (UG) degree doesn’t have to be in computer applications; a solid base in programming languages and computer science will be necessary. Once you’ve completed the programme, you’re qualified for various jobs. 

Below, you will find 10 after MCA jobs, the roles, and the average base salary in India. All salary information is from Glassdoor India as of May 2025. 

1. Full stack developer

Average salary: ₹6,50,000 per year 

A full-stack developer is a programmer with a “full stack” of skills, which is another way of saying they have a well-rounded resume and can work on all the different parts that go into a project. This usually includes both the front and back ends of a website or application, along with database and DevOps skills. 

Requirements: There’s more than one educational path to becoming a full-stack developer, but after earning your Master of Computer Application programme, you’ll likely have more than enough skills to get started in this career. 

2. Software engineer

Average salary: ₹10,00,000 per year 

Software engineers use software to create solutions for their organisations. In some cases, this means designing, creating, or maintaining software to meet the company's unique needs, while in other cases, it involves working on commercial projects. 

Requirements: A bachelor's degree is the minimum requirement to become a software engineer, but a master's degree may help you find a job in a more advanced position. An MCA also allows you to specialise in a certain subset of software engineering, making you a more desirable candidate for the right company and potentially earning a higher salary. 

3. Cloud architect

Average salary: ₹21,65,000 per year 

A cloud architect is responsible for designing and implementing cloud solutions for a company or organisation. They might create new cloud computing systems or maintain and develop existing solutions. In most cases, a cloud architect leads a team of professionals and manages the project. 

Requirements: Due to the leadership role that many cloud architects play in their company, a master's degree is preferred, although a bachelor's degree will suffice when paired with experience. Cloud services in India are projected to be a 13 billion USD industry by 2026, which translates to a lot of opportunity in this field [1].

4. Database administrator

Average salary: ₹7,00,000 per year 

Data as an industry is growing rapidly in India. Companies need to collect, store, protect, and access a lot of data from customers, suppliers, and others. A database administrator maintains the systems required to work with data. Forty-three percent of the data market in India is located in the IT industry, 13.9 percent in banking, and 5.9 percent in the retail/e-commerce industry [2].

Requirements: A Master of Computer Application will qualify you for a role as a database administrator, although in some cases, a bachelor’s degree and experience will also be enough to land the job. 

5. Network engineer

Average salary: ₹4,80,000 per year 

A network engineer is similar to others, except they create and maintain network configurations. In some cases, a network engineer leads a team; in other cases, they are in a more hands-on role. 

Requirements: Although getting a network engineer job with less education is possible, a Master of Computer Application gives you the chance to specialise in a more specific field, such as cloud networking or network security. Additional education can also bypass experience requirements or help you land a more senior position than a candidate with only a bachelor's degree. 

6. iOS or Android developer

Average Salary: ₹8,00,000 per year 

An iOS or Android developer designs, creates, and maintains mobile applications. Although iOS and Android are two of the most common operating systems, developers can specialise in other mobile systems as well. 

India has the second-largest telecommunication sector in the world as of 2023, with over 1.15 billion wireless mobile subscribers [3]. In 2023, about 796 million Indians were active mobile phone users with 4G, representing a significant growth from the previous year [4]. This rapid growth demonstrates how quickly Indians took to mobile technology and the opportunities in the field. 

Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related degree is the minimum requirement for this role, along with relevant experience and specific technical skills. 

7. Software tester

Average Salary: ₹4,53,000 per year

A software tester works to debug and develop software before its release. This role can sometimes be done within the team of developers working on the project, while in other cases a separate person or team handles testing. 

Requirements: It’s possible to start a career as a software tester before earning your Master of Computer Application degree. However, with advanced education comes the potential for more advanced roles or roles where you are in charge of other testers. 

8. Data scientist

Average Salary: 10,00,000 per year

India experienced a jump in demand for data scientists in March 2020 due to COVID-19, mirroring the worldwide response to the pandemic. That demand remains today, and data scientists are needed in many industries beyond healthcare, such as retail, telecommunications, marketing, finances, and cybersecurity. 

Requirements: Aside from earning the relevant degree, certifications, and specialisation can help you advance in this field. 

9. AI/machine learning specialist

Average Salary: ₹20,00,000 per year

An artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning specialist can play a number of roles in a company. In this role, you might work with data to create a programme powering AI. An AI specialist might also play more of a research or analytical role instead of directly working with programnes. AI and machine learning technologies are growing rapidly, and this industry will need specialists for years to come. 

Requirements: An MCA degree will help you prepare for a number of roles within AI and machine learning. Earning a master's degree also gives you the chance to specialise in artificial intelligence, such as intelligent interaction or knowledge management. 

10. Cybersecurity specialist

Average salary: ₹9,50,000 per year 

Cybersecurity specialist is an umbrella term referring to professionals who work in cybersecurity. This could mean working with a company to protect digital assets and information or working in national security. Another potential role that a cybersecurity specialist can play is that of an ethical hacker, attempting to expose risk within a security system by breaking in. 

Requirements: A master's degree can open more advanced roles in cybersecurity. Entry-level positions require only a bachelor’s degree. 

Increase your skills for jobs after MCA with Coursera

You can pursue a variety of jobs after MCA completion. If you’d like a more advanced position or the possibility to advance someday, there are possibilities for taking your education even further. 

You may be interested in studying for a PhD after MCA, or another option for furthering your education is to pursue credentials to further specialise in your industry. The Indian Institute of Technology offers online programmes on Coursera like the Digital Manufacturing Specialisation to help you master design aspects and toolpath strategies for additive manufacturing or the Foundations and Advanced Practices in UX Design Specialisation to help you gain the skills to master user-centered design, create intuitive interfaces, conduct user research, and apply advanced UX practices to enhance user experiences across various platforms. These Specialisations can help you broaden your qualifications.