Data Scientist Salary in India 2025: Freshers to Experts Guide
By Rohit Sharma
Updated on Sep 23, 2025 | 11 min read | 934.32K+ views
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By Rohit Sharma
Updated on Sep 23, 2025 | 11 min read | 934.32K+ views
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Do You Know? According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, Employment of data scientists is expected to grow 34% by 2034. |
A data scientist salary in India ranges from INR 4L – INR 30L. Salaries usually depends on your experience, skills, location, industry, and the company you work in.
In this blog, we will explore everything you need to know about data scientist salaries in India. You will learn how much freshers, mid-level, and senior professionals can earn in India, how salaries varies across top cities like Bangalore, Mumbai, and Delhi, which companies and industries pay the most, and how skills and education impact salary.
So, stay with us till the end to know how a career as a data scientist can be the best choice for you!
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A data scientist's salary in India is one of the highest in the entire tech industry. According to the Ambition Box, a data scientist can earn around INR 15.1LPA. And if we talk about the monthly salary, it ranges from INR 78,000 – INR 80,000.
However, salary of data scientist in India is not same for everyone. It can change depending on several factors such as:
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Here is the salary of data scientist in India based on experience:
Experience | Average Annual Salary |
1 year | INR 10.9 L |
2 years | INR 11.3 L |
3 years | INR 12.5 L |
4 years | INR 15.1 L |
5 years | INR 17.3 L |
6 years | INR 19.1 L |
7 years | INR 20.4 L |
8 years | INR 22.6 L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
Related Article: Top Highest Paying Data Science Jobs in India
For fresh graduates or early-career professionals, the average fresher data scientist salary in India typically ranges between ₹6–14 LPA (as per Glassdoor). Entry-level salaries depend on skills in Python, SQL, and Machine Learning, as well as the employer, with companies like TCS, Infosys, Accenture, and fast-growing startups offering varying packages.
Entry-Level Data Science Roles and Salaries:
Job Role |
Salary (INR per year) |
Data Scientist Intern | 1–8.5 LPA |
Junior Data Analyst | 3–6 LPA |
Machine Learning Engineer | 5–11 LPA |
Data Scientist (Fresher) | 6–14 LPA |
AI Engineer | 6–14 LPA |
Analytics Consultant | 5–10 LPA |
Source By: Glassdoor
With 4–6 years or more experience, experienced data scientists in India can earn anywhere between ₹10–22 LPA, while senior-level professionals with strong expertise in Big Data, Deep Learning, and Data Engineering can cross the ₹40 LPA mark. Leadership roles and niche technical skills play a major role in driving salaries higher.
Mid-Level Data Science Roles and Salaries:
Job Role |
Salary (INR per year) |
Data Scientist (Mid-Level) | 10–22 LPA |
Machine Learning Specialist | 6–21 LPA |
Data Scientist Lead | 17–32 LPA |
AI & ML Engineer | 8–18 LPA |
Analytics Manager | 14–25 LPA |
Senior Data Scientist | 16–29 LPA |
Sourced By: Glassdoor
The highest salary of a data scientist in India is among the most competitive in the technology sector. Senior professionals who take up leadership roles, manage complex projects, and drive AI adoption in large organizations can command packages that rival global standards.
Companies such as FAANG firms (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google), unicorn startups, and leading fintech companies are known to offer the highest data scientist salaries in India.
Top-Paying Data Science Roles in India:
Job Role |
Highest Salary (INR) |
Principal Data Scientist | 24–96 LPA |
AI/ML Specialist | 10.2–40 LPA |
Data Science Lead | 14–59.3 LPA |
Analytics Head | 40–66.3 LPA |
Senior Data Engineer | 14.5–47 LPA |
Data Science Consultant | 14–42 LPA |
Sourced By: Glassdoor, Ambition box
The salary of a data scientist in India can vary across top cities in India. They can change on the basis of job opportunities, higher demand and cost of living. Cities like Gurugram, Bangalore, Noida, and Hyderabad are some of the locations offering highest salary for data scientist in India
Here is a table showing the average data scientist salary in the top 10 cities of India:
Top Cities |
Average Annual Salary |
Bangalore | INR 15.7L |
Mumbai | INR 14.8L |
New Delhi | INR 15.2L |
Hyderabad | INR 15.2L |
Pune | INR 14.2L |
Chennai | INR 14.6L |
Gurgaon | INR 16.6L |
Noida | INR 15.4L |
Kolkata | INR 14.4L |
Ahmedabad | INR 9.8L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
When it comes to the data scientist salary in India, the company you work in makes a huge difference. Top MNCs, consulting firms, and analytics companies generally offer higher salary of data scientist as compared to service-based IT firms.
Fact: As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on an average there are expected to be around 23,000 new job openings for data scientists every year
Here is a table of the salary of data scientist in India at some of the top companies in India:
Company |
Average Annual Salary |
TCS | INR 8.7 L |
Accenture | INR14.2 L |
IBM | INR 18.4 L |
Cognizant | INR 11.6 L |
Deloitte | INR 14.9 L |
Capgemini | INR 10.9 L |
LTI Mindtree | INR 16 L |
Fractal Analytics | INR 18.7 L |
Tiger Analytics | INR 16.9 L |
Infosys | INR 9.2 L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
Also read: Career in Data Science
The data scientist salary in India also depends on the industry you choose. Some industries like IT, software products, and finance generally offer higher salaries than others because of the demand for data-driven decisions.
The average salary of data scientist in India can vary by several lakhs per year based on whether you work in IT services, consulting, or specialized analytics jobs.
Here is a table showing how the salary of data scientist in India varies across top industries:
Industry |
Average Annual Salary |
IT Services & Consulting | INR 14.3 L |
Software Product | INR 16.9 L |
Financial Services | INR 16.7 L |
Analytics & KPO | INR 15.7 L |
Consulting | INR 13.5 L |
Sourced By: Ambition Box
Data Science Courses to upskill
Explore Data Science Courses for Career Progression
The data scientist salary in India heavily depends on the skills professionals have. Many big companies pay more salaries to professionals who have strong technical skills that add value to their business.
Learning the right tools can help you earn a higher salary and grow faster in your career.
The career path of a data scientist in India usually begins as a fresher and advances through multiple levels:
Fresher → Junior Data Scientist → Data Scientist → Senior Data Scientist → Lead/Manager → Principal/Head of Data Science.
For a detailed guide read How to Become a Data Scientist – Answer in 9 Easy Steps
If you’re aiming for the highest salary of a data scientist in India, you need to focus on a mix of technical upskilling and strategic career choices:
Whether you're a complete beginner or a professional looking to upskill, we offer a range of flexible and industry-relevant courses that fit into your schedule.
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SL. No | Top Data Science Skills to Learn | |
1 |
Data Analysis Online Courses | Inferential Statistics Online Courses |
2 |
Hypothesis Testing Online Courses | Logistic Regression Online Courses |
3 |
Linear Regression Courses | Linear Algebra for Analysis Online Courses |
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Yes, data science is considered one of the most rewarding careers today. The data scientist salary in India is higher than most IT roles, ranging from ₹10–25 LPA for mid-level talent. With AI and ML skills, professionals can grow into senior roles earning even more.
The salary of data scientist in India in startups usually begins around ₹5–7 LPA for freshers. Startups may offer lower fixed pay but compensate with incentives or ESOPs. Skilled candidates in Python, SQL, and ML often secure higher packages.
Yes, having a master’s degree or higher specialization generally boosts the average salary of data scientist in India. Employers value advanced academic knowledge, especially in AI, statistics, or big data, leading to better job offers.
Metro cities offer the best packages. For example, Bengaluru provides the data scientist average salary in India at ₹15.6 LPA, with Mumbai and Delhi NCR close behind. These cities have more MNCs and tech startups, which drives pay higher.
Yes, product firms and global tech companies usually offer better pay than service-based ones. The data scientist salary in India in these firms can be 20–30% higher since they focus on innovation, AI-driven products, and scalable data solutions
Yes, freshers today have growing opportunities in remote setups. Even the fresher data scientist salary in India for remote roles is competitive, often ₹5–7 LPA. Remote jobs also provide flexibility and international exposure for new graduates.
Data analysts generally earn less than data scientists. While entry-level analysts start with salaries around ₹4–8 LPA, data scientists typically begin at ₹6–14 LPA, because they require advanced technical, statistical, and modeling expertise.
Yes, you can earn INR 1 Cr in India, if you are senior data scientists or working in top MNCs, consulting firms, or product-based companies. While the average salary of data scientist in India is around INR 15 LPA, but professionals with 10+ years of experience, top skills, and leadership jobs can earn INR 1 crore.
No, a PhD doesn’t guarantee the highest salary of data scientist in India, but it certainly improves chances. PhDs often secure research, leadership, or consulting roles in AI/ML that can reach ₹40–50 LPA or more in top firms.
Yes, cloud and data certifications often improve career prospects. Professionals with AWS, Azure, or GCP credentials usually command higher data scientist salary in India, as companies value expertise in deploying scalable AI models.
Yes, in most cases the average salary of data scientist in India is higher than that of software engineers. This is because data science involves specialized skills like AI, big data, and machine learning, which are in high demand.
Government jobs tend to pay less but offer stability. The data scientist salary in India per month in government or PSU roles typically earns an average of INR 30LPA. Benefits like pensions and allowances balance the lower base pay.
Yes, freelancing can be very lucrative for skilled professionals. While not a fixed income, freelance work can exceed the data scientist average salary in India, especially when working on global projects with international clients.
The salary of data scientist in India is generally gender-neutral when based on skills and experience. Women in data science earn similar pay to men, though representation in senior roles is still lower compared to other fields.
On average, a data scientist earns INR 78,000 to INR 80,000 in hand per month. Of course, this depends on the company and experience, but it gives a good idea of how strong the data scientist salary in India can be.
At leadership levels, salaries rise sharply. The data scientist highest salary in India can go up to ₹40–50 LPA, while Chief Data Officers at top firms may cross ₹1 crore annually, depending on company size and industry.
No, Indian salaries are lower in absolute terms. However, the highest salary of a data scientist in India still offers strong growth when adjusted for the cost of living. US salaries remain higher due to larger budgets and global demand.
Yes, salaries are generally lower outside metros. The data scientist salary in India per month in Tier-2 cities can be 20–30% lower compared to Bengaluru or Mumbai, mainly because of fewer MNCs and startups.
Absolutely. Internships provide real-world exposure and boost employability. Candidates with projects or internships usually secure higher data scientist fresher salary in India, often starting at ₹6–8 LPA instead of ₹5 LPA.
Bonuses and ESOPs can significantly raise total compensation. In startups and tech firms, these perks often push the highest salary of data scientist in India far beyond the base pay, rewarding long-term contributions.
Reference Links:
https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/data-science-intern-salary
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/junior-data-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/machine-learning-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/ai-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,11.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/analytics-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/machine-learning-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/lead-data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/ai-ml-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/analytics-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm
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https://www.ambitionbox.com/profile/data-scientist-salary/chennai-location
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834 articles published
Rohit Sharma is the Head of Revenue & Programs (International), with over 8 years of experience in business analytics, EdTech, and program management. He holds an M.Tech from IIT Delhi and specializes...
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