High Salaries in Indian IT Sector: Which Companies Are Offering Rs 1 Crore-Plus Amid Layoffs?
Till a few years ago, software engineers in India enjoyed high salary premiums, and the IT sector was a stable source of employment. However, the rise of artificial intelligence has introduced uncertainty regarding the relevance of traditional IT roles. Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, notes that this year marked a significant shift in India’s digital workforce, altering how talent is valued and compensated.
Salary Trends in the IT Sector
India’s technology talent market is increasingly favoring skill-differentiated compensation. Specializations in AI, machine learning, cloud engineering, and data science are becoming more valuable. A report by TeamLease Digital indicates a widening pay gap, with professionals skilled in building, integrating, securing, and managing AI systems commanding higher salaries. Routine roles are facing greater salary pressure, while specialized skills are in demand.
The report highlights that entry-level median pay for AI-core roles stands at Rs 13.2 lakh, compared to Rs 9-10.2 lakh for AI-adjacent roles and Rs 4.8-5.4 lakh for AI-support roles. Projected salary growth is also notable, with AI-core roles expected to see increases of 16-21%, while AI-adjacent roles may grow by 13-18%, and AI-support roles by 7-8%. The highest demand is for positions such as GenAI engineers and AI architects.
Premium Salaries for Specialized Roles
The report lists annual salaries of Rs 1.08 crore for AI Architects, Rs 1.02 crore for Industrial Data Architects, and Rs 95.8 lakh for OT Security Architects. These figures reflect the high value placed on designing and securing complex technology systems. Neeti Sharma explains that the median salary for AI Architects with over 15 years of experience is Rs 108.6 lakh, emphasizing the importance of managing risk and connecting technical decisions to business outcomes.
Geographical factors are becoming less significant in determining salaries. For instance, a GenAI engineer in Indore earns around Rs 16.5 lakh per annum, surpassing the Rs 14.4 lakh earned by cybersecurity talent in Bengaluru. Milind Shah, Managing Director of Randstad Digital – India, notes that compensation for niche AI roles can vary widely based on expertise and role complexity, with premiums ranging from 10-25%.
Reskilling for Future Opportunities
Reskilling is essential for professionals in the IT sector. The TeamLease report suggests pathways for transitioning roles, such as moving testers into intelligent operations and analysts into decision intelligence. Combining core technical skills with AI capabilities and business acumen will increasingly influence salary growth.
Milind Shah outlines strategies for professionals at different career stages. Entry-level workers should focus on software engineering and AI application skills. Mid-career professionals should develop expertise in AI engineering and enterprise AI integration. Senior professionals must demonstrate the ability to architect AI systems and lead transformation programs.
For those in traditional IT roles, while jobs are not disappearing, routine execution roles are diminishing. Positions involving repetitive tasks are under pressure as AI and automation reshape the industry. The report indicates that salary growth may slow unless workers transition to higher-value responsibilities.
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