2 hrs ago
AI Salaries Rise 23% as Traditional Tech Pay Stagnates
AI workers in India are earning more money than they did before.
Their pay rose by 23% over two years, according to foundit.
Experienced AI workers can earn much more than people in many traditional IT jobs.
Bengaluru pays AI workers the most among the cities mentioned.
Hyderabad is also growing because more international company centers and product engineering projects are being built there.
Some older technology jobs, such as IT services, saw their salaries fall slightly.
Cybersecurity can offer an even higher top salary than AI.
The report suggests that companies are paying more for specialized technology skills.
AI-related salaries in India grew 23% between 2024 and 2026, including 12% growth in the latest year.
Entry-level AI professionals earn Rs 8.87 lakh to Rs 15.41 lakh annually.
AI professionals with more than 15 years of experience earn Rs 70.99 lakh to Rs 89.24 lakh.
Bengaluru is India’s highest-paying AI market, while Hyderabad is emerging as a strong challenger.
IT and IT services salaries declined 1% last year, while semiconductors and industrial automation recorded strong growth.
- Who
- AI professionals, traditional IT workers, and other technology specialists in India.
- What
- AI salaries increased sharply while pay in some legacy technology roles stagnated or declined.
- Where
- India, especially Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and the NCR.
- When
- Between 2024 and 2026, with AI salaries rising 12% in the latest year.
- Why
- Growing demand for specialized skills, global capability centres, and product engineering investments are supporting higher pay.
Key facts
- AI salary growth
- 23% compounded increase between 2024 and 2026
- Latest annual AI growth
- 12%
- Entry-level AI pay
- Rs 8.87 lakh–Rs 15.41 lakh annually
- Senior AI pay
- Rs 70.99 lakh–Rs 89.24 lakh annually for professionals with more than 15 years of experience
- Highest-paying AI market
- Bengaluru
- Cybersecurity salary ceiling
- Rs 97.81 lakh
- Legacy IT salary trend
- IT and IT services salaries declined 1% last year
- Other fast-growing fields
- Semiconductors grew 17% and industrial automation grew 13% over two years
Sources
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