‘I didn’t earn this after B.Tech’: Man left stunned after Mumbai auto driver reveals how much he earns in a day

A short video from Mumbai is currently getting a lot of attention on social media. The clip shows a simple conversation between a man and an auto rickshaw driver. What makes the video interesting is a claim about daily earnings that many viewers did not expect.

The discussion starts with a common topic. The rising cost of living in Mumbai. But during the conversation, the driver shares something that surprises the man speaking with him. Soon after the video was posted online, people started sharing their opinions in the comments.

A conversation about Mumbai’s cost of living

In the video, the man is heard talking about how expensive Mumbai can be. While speaking to the driver, he says:

“So meri abhi bhaiya se baat hori thi, mai bol raha tha ki Mumbai sehar bada mehnga hai. Toh wo kehte hai ki mehnga par yaha par paisa itna hai, barasata hai – bas pakadne wale ki dikkat hai (sic).”

The driver’s response suggests that although the city is costly, there are still opportunities to earn for those who work consistently.

Driver says he earns around Rs 2,500 a day

During the same conversation, the auto driver talks about his daily income. According to him, he earns around Rs 2,500 on average in a day.

He also explains that this amount is what remains after covering expenses. In his words, it is “Kharcha nikal ke.”

This number clearly surprises the man who is speaking to him.

Man reacts after hearing the amount

As soon as he hears the figure, the man responds with shock. He says:

“Rs 2500 bhai! Mai nhi kamata tha B.Tech ke bad jab pehli naukri lagi thi.”

He then quickly calculates what the monthly income could be and adds:

“Rs 75,000 nikal kar bhaiya kama rahe hai. Ghar baithe rehna hai ya Mumbai mein auto chalani hai? Mai toh kehra hu yahi ajao, auto chala lo badhiya hai… roz networking karoge. Tum ek cubical mein baithe ho…far better than that.”

His reaction became one of the moments in the video that people noticed the most.

A message in the video that sparked discussion

Another part of the clip that drew attention was a line written in the video. It read:

“In India, Rs 30K job is considered respectable. An auto driver earning Rs 75K isn’t. Strange definition of success.”

This line led to a wider discussion online about how different professions are viewed.

Social media users react to the clip

Some users responded in a humorous way. One comment said, “Bhaiyaa ke pass team member ki vacancy hai kya??”

Another person wrote, “Maa… autowaali banna hai mujhe!”

A few viewers said that drivers in big cities can earn similar amounts. One user commented, “City mai auto wale sach mai kamate hai itna maybe is se jyada.”

Another comment read, “Ab hui na baat. Corporate job alag karunga aur auto alag chalaunga. Isko moonlighting consider karenge kya?”

One viewer also compared the amount with entry-level salaries and wrote, “IITian ki starting salary se bhi zyada hai yeh toh.”

Some users highlight another perspective

At the same time, some people also shared a different view. One user pointed out that income alone does not explain everything and wrote:

“True, but it’s not just about the amount. An auto driver may earn more some months, but he’s on the streets all day heat, traffic, uncertainty, no fixed hours. A 20–30k salaried job usually comes with stability, routine, and a bit more comfort. Different lives, different trade-offs. Money alone doesn’t tell the full story.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on a video circulating on social media and the claims made in it. The Times of India has not confirmed the video's authenticity or the truth of its claims.

Thumb image: Canva (for representative purposes only)