Job Opportunities in AI: Salaries, Skills & Careers in 2025
Updated on Oct 23, 2025 | 26 min read | 95.95K+ views
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Updated on Oct 23, 2025 | 26 min read | 95.95K+ views
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| Did you know? AI integration is set to boost growth in several professions. Software developers are projected to grow by 17.9%, database architects by 10.8%, and hardware engineers by 7.2% as AI enhances productivity across tech roles. Even financial advisors are expected to see a 17.1% rise, showing that human expertise remains valuable despite increasing automation. |
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has quickly become one of the most promising career fields in 2025. Jobs like AI Consultant, earning around INR 27 LPA in India, and AI Research Scientist, earning INR 25.1 LPA, show the strong demand and high pay in this field.
From automating tasks to building generative AI tools, companies across every industry are hiring AI talent at record speed.
In this blog, we will explore the top job opportunities in AI in India and abroad, compare salaries, highlight non-technical AI roles, and explain the skills and certifications you need to succeed.
This guide covers 15 in-demand AI jobs, the key skills for each, and how to prepare for success in this competitive field.
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India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing AI job markets. NASSCOM reports that the Indian AI industry is expected to touch USD 17 billion by 2027, creating thousands of new roles across technology, healthcare, BFSI, and retail.
Top 10 AI Job Roles in India with Salaries (2025):
Job Role |
Average Annual Salary |
| AI Engineer | INR 17.9L |
| Machine Learning Engineer | INR 11.7L |
| Data Scientist (AI focus) | INR 15L |
| NLP Engineer | INR 9.6L |
| Computer Vision Engineer | INR 10.4L |
| Robotics Engineer | INR 4.7L |
| AI Research Scientist | INR 25.1L |
| MLOps Engineer | INR 15L |
| Deep Learning Engineer | INR 12L |
| AI Product Manager | INR 25L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box & Glassdoor
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Globally, AI adoption is accelerating across industries like healthcare, finance, retail, and autonomous systems. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 23% growth in AI-related jobs by 2032, much faster than most other professions.
Top AI Job Roles Abroad with Salaries:
Job Role |
USA Salary |
UK Salary |
| AI Engineer | INR 8.8Cr (USD 1000000) | INR 66.5L (GBP 56000) |
| Machine Learning Engineer | INR 88L (USD 100000) | INR 78L (GBP 65862) |
| Data Scientist (AI focus) | INR 88L (USD 100000) | INR 62.8L (GBP 52873) |
| AI Research Scientist | INR 1.4Cr (USD 160247) | INR 63L (GBP 53000) |
| Computer Vision Engineer | INR 1.3Cr (USD 152021) | INR 59.4L (GBP 50000) |
Sourced By: Glassdoor & Indeed
Note: The salaries mentioned in the table are approximate and may vary as per the currency exchange rates.
These jobs are in highest demand abroad, especially in the USA (Silicon Valley, Seattle, New York) and the UK (London, Cambridge, Manchester).
Also Read: Career in Data Science: Jobs, Salary, and Skills Required
AI is not only for engineers. Many companies are hiring non-technical professionals who can bridge business, product, and technology. These jobs are ideal for professionals from management, consulting, and analytics backgrounds.
Top Non-Technical AI Jobs in India with Salaries:
Job Role |
Average Annual Salary |
| AI Product Manager | INR 25L |
| AI Consultant | INR 27L |
| Business Intelligence Analyst | INR 9.5L |
| AI Specialist | INR 20L |
| AI Strategy Consultant | INR 19.8L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box & Glassdoor
Also Read: How to become AI Consultant
AI job demand is not evenly distributed across India. The top cities leading the hiring wave are:
Must Read: Top Highest Paying Jobs in India
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Employers look for a mix of technical and business skills in AI professionals.
Technical Skills:
Non-Technical Skills:
Upskilling with the right certifications is a great way to enter or advance in AI careers.
Popular Certifications and Programs:
The AI revolution is only getting started. PwC research estimates that by 2030, AI could boost the global economy by nearly 14%, adding about USD 15.7 trillion to worldwide GDP.
Future Trends in AI Careers:
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AI careers in 2025 are among the most rewarding across industries. From AI engineers and data scientists to AI product managers, opportunities are available in both technical and non-technical fields. Salaries are competitive, and growth is rapid in India and abroad.
If you want to take advantage of these job opportunities in AI, the best time to start is now. With structured learning, hands-on projects, and expert mentorship, upGrad’s AI and ML programs can prepare you for top roles in India and abroad.
Explore upGrad’s AI & Machine Learning and Data Science programs today and take your first step toward a future-proof AI career.
Want to know which AI career path fits you best? You can book a free 1:1 counseling session with our experts. Get personalized guidance on the best career opportunities, and how you can achieve your goals step by step.
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Not really. While coding is needed for technical roles like AI Engineer or Machine Learning Engineer, there are plenty of non-technical AI job opportunities in India. For example, AI Product Managers earn around INR 25 LPA, while AI Consultants earn approximately INR 27 LPA, focusing more on strategy and business alignment than heavy coding.
Yes, freshers can start their careers in AI with entry-level roles such as Data Analyst or Junior ML Engineer. While the salaries for freshers are lower than senior positions, growth is rapid. For example, mid-level roles like Data Scientist with AI focus earn around INR 15 LPA, which shows the potential for quick career progress.
If you are from a business, finance, or consulting background, AI still offers many roles. Non-technical positions such as Business Intelligence Analyst earn around INR 9.5 LPA, while AI Strategy Consultants earn nearly INR 19.8 LPA. These roles combine business knowledge with AI applications.
AI job opportunities in India are growing fast, especially in cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad. For example, AI Engineers in India earn around INR 17.9 LPA. Abroad, the pay is higher in the US, AI Engineers earn between USD 110,000 and USD 150,000 per year, while in the UK they earn around GBP 65,000–90,000 annually.
In 2025, AI Engineers in India earn around INR 17.9 LPA, Machine Learning Engineers make about INR 11.7 LPA, and AI Research Scientists earn the highest, around INR 25.1 LPA. These salaries are well above average compared to many other technology roles in the country.
Employers want a mix of technical and non-technical skills. Technical skills include programming in Python, frameworks like TensorFlow, and cloud AI platforms such as AWS and Azure. Non-technical skills like problem-solving, communication, and AI ethics are also highly valued, especially in roles like AI Consultant or AI Strategist.
Not always. Many AI Engineers and ML Engineers start with a bachelor’s degree. However, a master’s degree can help professionals reach higher-paying roles. For instance, an AI Research Scientist in India earns around INR 25.1 LPA, which is one of the top salaries in this field.
Some of the fastest-growing roles include Deep Learning Engineer, MLOps Engineer, and NLP Engineer. In India, Deep Learning Engineers earn around INR 12 LPA, while MLOps Engineers and NLP Engineers earn approximately INR 15 LPA and INR 9.6 LPA respectively. These roles are expanding as companies adopt AI at scale.
India’s top industries hiring AI professionals include IT, BFSI, healthcare, and retail. For example, AI Engineers and Data Scientists are in demand in IT and BFSI, while Computer Vision Engineers, who earn about INR 10.4 LPA, are popular in healthcare for imaging and diagnostics.
Bengaluru leads with a strong presence of AI startups and global tech firms. Hyderabad is fast-growing in pharma and IT. Pune focuses on manufacturing and automotive AI, Delhi NCR has opportunities in finance and consulting, while Chennai is strong in automobile and IT services.
The highest-paying AI jobs in India include AI Research Scientist earning around INR 25.1 LPA, AI Product Manager earning around INR 25 LPA, and Data Scientist with AI focus earning approximately INR 15 LPA. These roles combine advanced expertise with high market demand.
Abroad, the most in-demand roles include AI Engineers earning USD 110,000–150,000 annually in the US and around GBP 65,000–90,000 in the UK. AI Research Scientists earn around USD 120,000–160,000 in the US and about GBP 70,000–100,000 in the UK. These figures show the global value of AI talent.
Among non-technical roles, AI Consultants stand out with an average salary of about INR 27 LPA. AI Product Managers also earn high, with salaries of around INR 25 LPA. These roles are ideal for professionals who want to work in AI without being hands-on with coding.
Yes, AI consulting is a strong career choice because companies need guidance on AI adoption. In India, AI Consultants earn approximately INR 27 LPA. They help organizations identify AI opportunities, ensure smooth integration, and develop long-term strategies for growth.
Beginners often start as Data Analysts or Junior ML Engineers. While these roles start at lower pay, growth is quick. For instance, Machine Learning Engineers in India earn around INR 11.7 LPA, and with just a few years of experience, salaries can grow significantly.
PwC estimates that AI could boost the global economy by nearly 14% by 2030, adding about $15.7 trillion. By then, new careers such as Generative AI Specialists, AI Governance Experts, and AI + Cybersecurity professionals will become mainstream.
Yes, AI Product Managers are in high demand. They play a critical role in aligning AI solutions with business goals. In India, their average salary is around INR 25 LPA, making it one of the best-paying non-technical AI job opportunities in India.
If you enjoy research, roles like AI Research Scientist or NLP Engineer are ideal. AI Research Scientists in India earn around INR 25.1 LPA, while NLP Engineers earn about INR 9.6 LPA. These roles involve pushing the boundaries of AI technology and innovation.
AI salaries abroad are much higher. For example, Data Scientists with an AI focus earn around INR 15 LPA in India, but in the UK they earn about GBP 55,000–80,000 annually. Similarly, Computer Vision Engineers earn around INR 10.4 LPA in India compared to GBP 60,000–95,000 in the UK.
The career scope after AI & ML course in India is extensive across multiple industries including IT, finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. Professionals can pursue roles like AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, or AI Product Manager. Completing a certified course enhances employability, opens doors to leadership positions, and improves salary prospects, making it a strong foundation for a long-term AI career.
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Pavan Vadapalli is the Director of Engineering , bringing over 18 years of experience in software engineering, technology leadership, and startup innovation. Holding a B.Tech and an MBA from the India...
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