Archive · 18 Jul 2026
AI Skills Boost Earnings and Demand in India
AI is becoming very important in the workplace in India.
A big report called Naukri’s World AI Day Report 2026 says that 77% of professionals use AI at work.
People with AI skills earn more money than those without.
For example, IT workers with AI skills make about Rs 13.7 lakh a year, while those without make Rs 11.9 lakh.
Non-IT workers with AI skills make Rs 11.3 lakh, compared to Rs 7.5 lakh for others.
The report also shows that AI skills are mentioned in many job descriptions, especially in tech jobs.
However, not everyone gets training from their employers.
Some people learn AI on their own.
The report suggests that companies are looking for experienced professionals who can lead AI projects.
Many professionals are also taking steps to learn AI skills themselves.
77% of Indian professionals use AI at work.
AI-skilled professionals earn higher median salaries than their counterparts.
Demand for AI expertise in tech jobs has risen nearly 17 times since 2020.
Only 35% of professionals received formal AI training from employers.
AI hiring is growing fastest among professionals with 13-16 years of experience.
- Who
- Indian professionals across various industries.
- What
- AI skills are becoming essential, with higher demand and salaries for AI-skilled professionals.
- When
- The data is from Naukri’s World AI Day Report 2026.
- Where
- The survey covers over 80 industries and 15 Indian cities.
- Why
- AI is reshaping hiring and career growth, with significant salary advantages for AI-skilled workers.
Employer Responsibility
Self-Learning
Training Provision
Employer Responsibility
Employers should provide formal AI training to bridge the skills gap.
Self-Learning
Professionals should take initiative to self-learn AI skills.
- AI Usage
- 77% of Indian professionals use AI at work.
- Salary Difference (IT)
- AI-skilled IT professionals earn Rs 13.7 lakh median salary vs Rs 11.9 lakh for others.
- Salary Difference (Non-IT)
- AI-skilled non-IT professionals earn Rs 11.3 lakh median salary vs Rs 7.5 lakh for others.
- AI in Job Descriptions (Tech)
- 15.4% of tech job descriptions mention AI skills.
- AI in Job Descriptions (Non-Tech)
- 1.59% of non-tech job descriptions mention AI skills.
- Formal AI Training
- 35% of professionals received formal AI training from employers.
- Self-Learning AI
- 23% of professionals rely on self-learning for AI skills.
- AI Hiring Growth (13-16 years experience)
- 39% year-on-year increase.
- AI Hiring Growth (Over 16 years experience)
- 35% year-on-year increase.