AI Engineer Salary in India [For Beginners & Experienced] in 2025

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries from healthcare to banking, creating massive demand for skilled professionals. An AI Engineer is someone who designs and builds AI systems using data, algorithms, and machine learning models to solve real- world problems. 

No surprise then that the salary of an AI engineer in India is climbing fast. According to Glassdoor, the average yearly salary for an experienced AI professional is around ₹11,70,000. Freshers are also starting strong, while seasoned engineers command premium packages. In 2025, the ai engineer salary in India is among the most competitive in the tech industry. 

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AI Engineer Salary in India - 2025 Outlook 

AI engineering offers lucrative career opportunities in India. The entry-level AI salary for an AI engineer in India is around ₹5,00,000 per annum. Mid-level professionals make around ₹10,00,000 per year. Experienced AI engineers can command salaries up to ₹50,00,000 annually.  

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Demand for AI Roles in India 

The Indian AI market is expanding rapidly, driven by technological adoption across sectors like IT, finance, healthcare, and e- commerce. Key trends include: 

• Growing Job Opportunities: Companies are hiring AI engineers across roles such as ML engineer, NLP specialist, and AI architect. 
• Market Growth: India’s AI market is projected to reach $17 billion by 2027, growing annually by 25- 35%. 
• Talent Shortage: Despite a growing talent pool, demand still outpaces supply, keeping salaries competitive. 

Want to explore more high-paying roles like AI engineering? Discover the best career options in India with great salaries and future scope.

AI Engineer Salary in India by Job Role & Experience Level 

AI engineering offers promising career prospects in India, with salaries increasing significantly as professionals gain experience. Here’s a clear breakdown of salaries across different experience levels. 

Entry-Level AI Engineer Salary (Beginners) 

For beginners, AI roles provide hands- on exposure to machine learning and data processing. Entry-level engineers typically handle basic AI tasks and contribute to developing ML models. 

Table showing Entry-Level AI Engineer Salaries 

Source: Glassdoor 

Mid-Level AI Engineer Salary 

Mid-level AI engineers usually have 4- 6 years of experience. Their role involves improving AI systems, creating machine learning models, and implementing AI solutions across organizations. Specializations in NLP or deep learning can lead to higher pay. 

Table showing Mid- Level AI Engineer Salaries 

Source: Glassdoor 

Senior/Experienced AI Engineer Salary 

Senior AI engineers, with 7- 10+ years of experience, command high salaries due to their advanced technical expertise and leadership responsibilities. They often work as AI Architects, Heads of AI, or Lead AI Engineers, designing complex AI solutions and guiding teams. 

Table showing Senior-Level AI Engineer Salaries 

Source: Glassdoor 

AI Engineer Salary in India by Location 

The AI engineer salary in India varies significantly depending on the city, reflecting the cost of living, demand for AI talent, and concentration of tech companies. Major tech hubs like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Delhi NCR offer the highest salaries due to the presence of IT giants, product-based firms, and startups investing heavily in AI. 

Here’s a clean, engaging table for AI Engineer Salary in India by Location: 

Source: Glassdoor 

Key Notes: 

• Salaries are higher in Tier 1 cities due to demand, cost of living, and concentration of AI- driven companies. 
• Tier 2 cities are emerging hubs; salaries are lower but still competitive.

AI Engineer Salary in India by Industry 

The AI engineer salary in India varies depending on the industry, type of company, and AI adoption level. Different sectors provide unique opportunities, challenges, and pay scales for AI engineers. 

Let's have a look at each individually, 

Global Tech Giants 

If you dream of working on advanced AI projects that millions of people use every day, global tech companies are the place to be. These firms not only pay well but also give you a chance to learn from some of the best minds in AI. 

Top Global Tech Companies and Salaries: 

Source: Glassdoor, Ambition Box 

Leading Indian IT Firms 

Indian IT firms like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro are great for those who prefer a structured environment. You get to work on enterprise- level projects, AI solutions for big clients, and gain exposure to multiple industries, all while having job stability. 

Top Indian IT Companies and Salaries: 

Source: Glassdoor, Ambition Box  

FinTech & Healthcare 

These industries are exciting because your work directly impacts people’s lives. In fintech, AI helps detect fraud and optimize payments, while in healthcare, it helps doctors and patients with diagnostics and personalized care. 

FinTech & Healthcare Companies and Salaries: 

Source: Glassdoor, Ambition Box 

Startups 

Startups are perfect if you love wearing multiple hats and working on end-to-end AI projects. The environment is fast-paced, and you get to see the impact of your work almost immediately. Salaries might be slightly lower than big tech, but the learning and experience are invaluable. 

Prominent Startups and Salaries: 

Source: Glassdoor, Ambition Box 

AI Engineer Salary vs Other Tech Roles 

AI engineering is one of the most rewarding tech careers in India today. Compared to other popular roles like software engineer, data scientist, or cloud engineer, AI engineers often earn higher salaries due to their specialized skills and the growing demand for AI- driven solutions.  

The table below highlights how AI engineer salaries stack up against other tech roles. 

Educational Requirements to Start a Career in Artificial Intelligence 

Starting a career in Artificial Intelligence is exciting, but it requires the right educational foundation to succeed. Understanding the educational requirements to start a career in AI can also help you aim for a higher ai engineer salary in India. 

1. Bachelor’s Degree 

Most AI roles require at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Common choices include: 

• Computer Science - Programming, algorithms, and software development form the core of AI. 
• Electronics & Communication - Useful for AI applications involving hardware and robotics. 
• Mathematics or Statistics - Critical for building AI models and understanding algorithms. 

A strong degree lays the foundation for understanding AI concepts and boosts your chances of getting a good ai engineering salary. 

2. Master’s Degree (Optional but Advantageous) 

A master’s degree in AI, Data Science, Machine Learning, or Robotics can open doors to advanced roles and higher- paying jobs. Companies often offer better ai engineer salary in India per month to candidates with specialized knowledge in deep learning, natural language processing, or computer vision. 

3. Certifications and Online Courses 

Certifications are a great way to gain practical skills and stand out: 

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4. Skills Beyond Degrees 

To fulfill your dream of becoming an AI engineer in India, you must have the essential skills (both technical and soft skills). Top technical courses include programming languages like Python, R, Java, and C++, while effective communication and collaboration are considered soft skills. 

Below are some of the most common programming languages and their importance in building AI algorithms and models: 

With the right mix of education, certifications, and hands- on practice, you can start a successful career in AI and gradually increase your ai engineer salary in India 2025. 

Top Factors Influencing AI Engineer Salaries in 2025 

Several factors affect the AI engineer salary in India 2025: 

• Experience & Expertise: More experienced AI engineers or those specialized in areas like deep learning, NLP, or computer vision command higher salaries. 
• Location: Metropolitan cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Pune typically offer better pay than smaller tech hubs. 
• Industry & Company Reputation: Sectors like IT, fintech, and e-commerce rely heavily on AI, resulting in higher salaries. 
• Company Type: Global tech giants and successful startups provide attractive compensation packages to hire top AI talent. 

These factors together determine the salary of an AI engineer in India, helping professionals plan their career growth strategically. 

Future Scope of AI Engineer Salaries in India 

The future of AI engineer salaries in India looks exceptionally promising. Due to the rapid tech advancements and significant investment in AI, there’s a high chance of better pay for AI engineers. 

India has one of the world's largest and fastest-evolving technology markets, and it can shine as a global leader in AI innovation. The government also makes several efforts for this digital transformation by providing adequate funding for R&D, creating a fruitful atmosphere for AI growth.

Key Trends Driving AI Engineer Salaries 

• Increasing Demand for AI Skills: Companies across IT, healthcare, fintech, and e-commerce are actively seeking AI engineers with expertise in machine learning, NLP, and robotics. This demand is expected to drive salaries higher. 
• Impact of Emerging Technologies: Specializations like deep learning, generative AI, and autonomous systems require niche skills, which command premium salaries. Educational programs and corporate training are helping professionals gain these in-demand skills. 
• Economic & Industry Factors: Growth in AI adoption, startups integrating AI solutions, and global talent competition all contribute to higher AI engineer salaries in India. 

In short, AI engineers who continuously upskill and adapt to emerging technologies can expect competitive salaries and excellent career growth in India. 

How to Increase Your Salary as an AI Engineer 

Boosting your AI engineer salary in India isn’t just about experience; it’s about skill, strategy, and continuous learning. Here’s how you can maximize your earning potential:

• Earn In-Demand Certifications: Courses in deep learning, NLP, computer vision, and MLOps make you more valuable to employers. 
• Build Expertise in AI/ML Tools: Hands-on knowledge of TensorFlow, PyTorch, Python, and cloud AI platforms increases your market worth. 
• Switch Industries for Higher Pay: Roles in product-based companies, fintech, or healthcare often pay more than traditional IT services. 
• Network & Keep Learning: Attend AI conferences, participate in hackathons, and stay updated with emerging trends to stay ahead and command higher salaries. 

Conclusion 

AI engineer salaries in India are expected to grow steadily. From AI engineers to data scientists, the AI job market in India varies based on expertise, location, and industry. By exploring the market and focusing on specialized skills relevant to a particular position, AI engineers in India can increase their earning potential. 

If you are still unsure, then consider upGrad, a popular online platform. Regardless of your skill level, upGrad can help you understand how AI/ML can get a higher AI engineer or data scientist salary in India.  

Wondering how to plan your path to becoming an AI Engineer? Contact upGrad for personalized counseling and expert guidance customized to your career goals. For more information, visit your nearest upGrad offline center! 

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