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Which Engineering Stream has Highest salary in India? Which One Should You Choose?

Updated on 11 October, 2023

12.74K+ views
8 min read

The engineering stream in India is one of the most sought-after and revered. As the digital age propels the demand for roles like software engineers and full stack developers, understanding the highest paid software engineering jobs and the average software engineer salary becomes pivotal. 

Whether you’re an entry level software engineer or a senior network engineer in India, being aware of salary trends is not just about gauging your worth in the market but also about making informed career decisions.

As we delve deeper into the intricacies of the highest-paying engineering fields and roles, it’s essential to recognise the significance of these salary metrics in shaping one’s career trajectory in India.

Which Engineering Stream has the Highest Salary in India?

India’s engineering landscape spans from age-old domains like Civil and Mechanical to contemporary sectors like Computer Science and Aerospace. Each stream has its unique remuneration structure, influenced by industry demand, technological advancements, and regional hubs.

Recent data points towards the Computer Science and IT sector as the frontrunners in salary scales, especially with cities like Bangalore emerging as IT epicentres. However, Petroleum and Aerospace engineering aren’t far behind. While IT dominates the current scenario, individual expertise and evolving market dynamics play a crucial role in determining the top-paying streams.

Highest Paying Engineering Jobs

If you’re wondering which engineering has the highest salary in India, we have a list curated just for you!

Senior Network Engineer Salary in India

A Senior Network Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing computer networks, including both hardware and software. Their expertise lies in understanding the intricacies of different network topologies, protocols, and services. They ensure the seamless communication of data and resources across the organisation.

Average Annual Salary  INR 7,10,000 pa
Top Recruiters Cisco
Juniper Networks
AT&T
Verizon
IBM

Senior Software Engineer

A Senior Software Engineer is a professional who applies engineering principles to the design, development, maintenance, testing, and evaluation of computer software. Software engineering is considered the highest-paid engineering field in India. They ensure that software functions efficiently, reliably and meets both the technical and business requirements. 

Unlike programmers, who primarily focus on coding, software engineers emphasise both the design and the coding of software, ensuring it’s built with engineering rigour. About 10% of the highest paid software engineer in India earn about INR 51,00,00 pa. 

Average Annual Salary  INR 16,30,000 pa
Top Recruiters Google
Microsoft
Apple
Amazon
IBM.

Chemical Engineering 

Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that studies the operation and design of chemical plants and methods to enhance production. Chemical engineers are responsible for developing commercial processes that transform raw materials into valuable products. They play a crucial role in plant design, operation, safety assessments, process design, modelling, control engineering, and various other areas. 

Average Annual Salary  INR 6,44,768 pa
Top Recruiters Tata Chemicals
Indian Oil
Aditya Birla Group

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineering is a specialised field that designs and applies systems harnessing the energy released by nuclear processes. The most significant application of nuclear engineering is in the generation of electricity. Approximately 440 nuclear reactors across 32 countries contribute to 10% of the global energy through nuclear fission. The network engineer highest salary in India is generally INR 29,00,000 pa, and the network engineer salary in India for freshers is about INR 5,48,000 pa. 

Average Salary of Network Engineer in India INR 10,00,000 pa
Top Recruiters Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
DHIO Research and Engineering Pvt. Ltd
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited.
Uranium Corporation of India.
Nuclear Thermal Power Corporation.

Blockchain Developer

Blockchain developers specialise in creating and implementing digital solutions using blockchain technology. This technology, which underpins cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, offers a decentralised ledger of all transactions across a network. This decentralisation ensures that data is transparent and immutable, making it resistant to unauthorised changes and hacks.

Average Annual Salary  INR 7,27,000 pa
Top Recruiters Tata Consultancy Services
SoluLab
IBM
Accenture
Tech Mahindra

Check out our free courses to get an edge over the competition.

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing aircraft and spacecraft. They work on developing technologies used in commercial aviation, defence systems, and space exploration. Their expertise ensures that flight systems and components are safe and efficient. The field is divided into two main branches: 

  • Aeronautical engineering (focused on aircraft)
  • Astronautical engineering (focused on spacecraft).
Average Annual Salary  INR 7,97,000 pa
Top Recruiters Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
Civil Aviation Department
Air India
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Big Data Engineer

Big Data Engineers are professionals who manage and analyse vast amounts of data, often referred to as “big data”. This data is so extensive that traditional data-processing software struggles to handle it. Big data primarily encompasses data sets that are too large or complex for traditional systems. 

The challenges include capturing, storing, analysing, data sharing, transfer, visualisation, querying, updating, and ensuring data privacy. Big data analysis can reveal insights from data sets, helping to spot business trends, prevent diseases, combat crime, and more. 

Average Annual Salary  INR 7,40,000
Top Recruiters Accenture
Tata Consultancy Services
Amazon
IBM
Capgemini

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineering is a specialised field of engineering that focuses on the activities related to the production of hydrocarbons, which can be either crude oil or natural gas. The domain encompasses exploration and production, falling within the upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

Average Annual Salary  INR 9,68,000
Top Recruiters Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Engineer specialises in creating and implementing algorithms that allow machines to perform tasks without explicit instructions. Leveraging vast amounts of data, they design, build, and deploy models that can recognise patterns, make decisions, and predict outcomes. 

These engineers bridge the gap between complex theoretical frameworks and practical applications, ensuring that AI and ML solutions are optimised, scalable, and integrated seamlessly into products and services. Their work is pivotal in numerous sectors, from healthcare diagnostics to financial forecasting, driving innovations that reshape industries and redefine user experiences. 

upGrad’s Master of Science in Machine Learning & AI offers deep insights into the cutting-edge skills required to become an AI and ML engineer. This course is your first step towards becoming an expert in this field!

Average Annual Salary  INR 10,97,127 pa
Top Recruiters Amazon
Google
Tata Consultancy Services
YBI Foundation
Accenture

Software Architect 

A Software Architect, often referred to as a Systems Architect, is an information and communications technology professional responsible for defining the architecture of a computerised system. This encompasses breaking down the system into components, determining component interactions and interfaces, and selecting the appropriate technologies and resources for design and implementation.

Average Annual Salary  INR 32,50,000 pa
Top Recruiters Deloitte
Amazon
Microsoft
Dell
PwC

Check Out upGrad’s Software Development Courses to upskill yourself.

Factors that influence high engineering salaries in India

Multiple factors influence high engineering salaries in India – 

  • Demand: Fields with a higher demand for professionals typically offer better compensation. For instance, the rise of digital technologies has increased the demand for software architects and data scientists.
  • Specialisation: Niche areas like blockchain or aerospace often require specialised knowledge, leading to higher pay due to a limited talent pool.
  • Experience: Senior roles or positions that require years of expertise generally command higher salaries.
  • Location: Regions with tech hubs or industry concentrations, like Bangalore for IT, tend to offer better remuneration.
  • Educational Background: Graduating from premier institutions or having advanced degrees can positively impact salary.
  • Industry Growth: Rapidly growing industries, like renewable energy or AI, often have competitive salary packages to attract top talent.
  • Skill Set: Combining in-demand skills can significantly boost one’s earning potential.

Students can consider the  Digital Marketing Course – Advanced Certificate in Digital Marketing and Communication from MICA by upGrad that will help them boost their skills and encourage career growth. This immersive experience provides all expertise in popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJorney and much more!

Future of Engineering in India

As India cements its position as a global IT hub, fields like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Renewable Energy Engineering are gaining prominence. Moreover, with the government’s push towards infrastructural development and smart cities, the Civil and Environmental Engineering sectors are also set to witness a surge.

The integration of traditional engineering disciplines with digital technologies will not only redefine the landscape of Indian industries but also position the nation as a frontrunner in global engineering innovations.

For those inclined towards the digital revolution and the world of algorithms, pursuing a Master of Science in Computer Science can be a game-changer. upGrad’s Master of Science in Computer Science offers a comprehensive curriculum, industry-relevant projects, and mentorship from leading experts, ensuring you’re well-equipped to navigate the dynamic landscape of technology and innovation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which engineering discipline commands the top salary?

The highest-paying engineering discipline often fluctuates based on technological advancements and market demand. Historically, Petroleum, Computer, and Aerospace Engineering have been among the top earners, but specific rankings can vary by region and industry trends.

2. In India, which engineering profession garners the most substantial paycheck?

In India, professions in the technology sector, especially roles related to Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science, have been leading in terms of salary.

3. Which engineering field holds the most promise for 2025?

Looking towards 2025, fields like Biomedical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, and AI & ML Engineering are poised to be at the forefront, given global health challenges, sustainability goals, and the digital transformation wave.

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The most awaited Google I/O 2016 Conference was filled with announcements about improvements in current products and launch of some new products. In this article, we have summarized the biggest announcements from Day 1 of the conference. Google Allo Allo is Google’s new messaging app with resident chatbot. It has features like whisper/shout, expressive stickers, smart replies- which evolve with time and wide range of bot support especially the Google Assistant search bot. One of the most important features of Allo is that all its chats are encrypted but incognito mode offers end-to-end encryption and an option to send messages that self-destruct. Additionally, once you close a chat, the entire conversation is deleted forever. Google Duo Duo is Google’s mobile only companion app for Allo that helps in video calling. One of its special feature is ‘Knock Knock’ which lets users see the incoming video call feed before even answering the call. So, the receiving party can see who’s calling and where they are before they even pick up the call. Google Assistant Google takes search to the next level. Google Assistant supports “conversational understanding” to make search more natural and to better support voice searches. Google Home Home is built on the Chromecast standard, which lets it push media to other Cast-compatible speakers and screens, change temperature or lighting through Nest devices, and integrate with third party services. The entire experience is hands-free, powered entirely by voice. In fact, it doesn’t even have any buttons. Simple voice commands will control every aspect of the Home. Android N Android N comes with new features that include more control over notification size from different apps and a new picture-in-picture mode. Android N uses a new API called Vulkan that lets developers directly control a phone’s GPU for sharper 3D graphics. Android N will also download and install system updates automatically. The name of Android N has not yet been released. It is going to be selected through a crowdsourced contest. Google Daydream Google has a new VR platform built on top of Android N, and the new VR platform is called Google Daydream. It is an optimized virtual reality platform that aims to standardize the mobile-based VR experience. It also spans both software and hardware; Its biggest limitation is that it will be available only in new phones with special sensors and screen. Android Wear 2.0 Android Wear 2.0 can function independently of a smartphone. Apps no longer need a connected smartphone in order to function. Apps can function and even communicate without a phone, as long as the wearable device is connected to the internet via cellular or Wi-Fi. Users can also make data from any app show up on any watch face. Instant Apps One of the most interesting announcement was google Instant Apps. With Instant Apps, users can begin using an app instantly from right within the Google Play store without even having to download and install the app. As we can see, Google has made some big moves in the three hottest areas of tech – virtual reality, messaging, and smart assistants. However it would be interesting to see how these new products will compete with their competitors and how much of market share would they capture after their launch.
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by Dilip Guru

19 May'16
There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050, So Get Yourself Skilled NOW

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There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050, So Get Yourself Skilled NOW

This isn’t just a catchy headline meant to shock you, though that would be a justified reaction. If you are 25 years old, have graduated from a reputed institute in a traditional higher education discipline and are looking for a job, you may not be handed one on a platter any time soon. You may be cushioned within the famous Indian demographic that is supposed to yield a “dividend”, but unlike what you’ve been reading everywhere, this does not guarantee you employment. Between 1980 to 2010, 90% of world labour force growth occurred in developing countries and about 500 million new workers emerged in India and China alone (workers went from 260 million to 470 million in India, between this period). India, along with other developing counterparts, is all set to fuel 60% of the global growth in labour in the upcoming years. Keep in mind that enrolment in Indian higher education is only 24% right now. With India attaining almost universal elementary education and increased retention in secondary schools, the projected demand for higher education and jobs thereafter, will only escalate. By 2050, India will be home to more than a billion job seekers. This means providing jobs for over 12 million new entrants annually. There is also the challenge of finding jobs for the backlog, which reached 60 million by 2014. So isn’t this good news? India finally placed on the world map with a solid advantage where labour supply is concerned. Well, it may not all be good news. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable. Currently, only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable. Indian millennials are being touted as the future of jobs and the saviours of the working world. But this won’t hold true if in-demand skills are not imparted to the youth entering the workforce. The world of work is changing and industries are transforming. It’s a fact that we are moving towards a massive labour pool, but we are possibly riding a low-skill, low-wage cycle to get there. The country is on a trajectory that involves a surplus of millions of low-skill workers, whereas most nations, including India, will be increasingly demanding a high-skill workforce. Impacting Education: My Journey and UpGrad Most industries are replacing low-skill jobs with high-skill ones. Skills relating to upcoming technologies like cloud computing, social media, artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, etc, are gaining immense relevance. Unfortunately, our education system is not preparing students well enough to enter the workforce as high-skill workers or equipping them with skills in the mentioned emerging domains. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable. Currently, only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The positive connotation associated with our demographic shift has been taken for granted and assigned the term “dividend.” But if we don’t strategically harness this change, we could very easily be faced with a demographic disaster. We don’t want to be stuck in a situation where we have too many job-seekers with inadequate skills, and therefore not enough jobs for them. India is moving workers out of farm jobs at a very fast rate, and this will only add to the burden of providing jobs in other sectors. We need a wake-up call and more concerted efforts towards large-scale skill development and training. We may have a situation of too few high-skill workers and not enough jobs for medium- or low-skill workers. This needs to be rectified by adjusting the education and skilling system to ready ourselves for the jobs of tomorrow. UpGrad develops various programs such as Digital Marketing Certification Program, and Product Management Certification Program in collaboration with IIIT Bangalore, specially designed for working professionals looking to up-skill themselves.  Check out the free courses.
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by Mayank Kumar

20 Jun'16
Only 25% Of Indian Graduates Are Employable, And The Solution Is Obvious

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Only 25% Of Indian Graduates Are Employable, And The Solution Is Obvious

Co-authored by: Apoorva Shankar, Business Development Associate, UpGrad The world today has enhanced productivity requirements. Due to this, the demand for highly skilled labour is growing. China and India are set to drive this demand. Globally, the share of low-skill jobs is likely to decline from 74% of employment in 2010 to 62% by 2020. On the other hand, the shortage of highly skilled workers with a tertiary level of education is expected to reach 18 million by 2020, globally. But due to its demographic dividend, India will have a labour surplus of 47 million by 2020. However, this surplus may only be of low-skilled labour. And while the demand for highly skilled labour is increasing, the supply isn’t quite keeping up. The challenge, as well as opportunity, that India faces is how to train such a large reserve of labour and convert low skills to high skills. One solution that immediately comes to mind is providing higher education for all. But at present only 24% of those meant to be participating in higher education, are actually enrolled. Plus, traditional college or university pedagogy has been increasingly criticized for being outdated and irrelevant to the jobs market. If you attended school or college in India, you will have first-hand experience of the ills that plague the system. Some of the reasons for this are: Absence of a customized or personalized approach to education (necessary as different students have different needs and learning capabilities). Restricted resources due to not-for-profit nature of educational institutes and over-regulation. Lack of technology infrastructure. Poor teaching quality. Lack of skills-based learning. Low focus on research and development. Minimal partnerships with industry/foreign academia. Outdated curricula not reflecting requirements of a dynamic market environment. Skill-intensive industries are expected to contribute more than 90% of India’s GDP by 2030. The opportunity is staring at us in the face. Only about 25% of Indian graduates are considered employable by the organized sector. Further, 48% of Indian employers said they were having difficulty in filling jobs, in 2012. Despite employers expressing difficulty in finding employable candidates, in 2009-10 the unemployment rates in India were higher for those who were more educated (graduates had more difficulty finding jobs than secondary or primary level graduates). [b_color background=”#EDFF3D”] Also Read – Technology will surely kill some jobs, but not all of them [/b_color] So Indian education, in its current form, hasn’t proved to be enough training for the incoming workforce. The numbers also prove that just completing higher education in any field is not all it takes anymore. This pinch is being increasingly felt as the world of jobs is turning upside down; which is why we need skill training. Skill-intensive industries are expected to contribute more than 90% of India’s GDP by 2030. The opportunity is staring at us in the face. It’s not just about the potential but also the responsibility we are tasked with — restoring balance to the global supply of labour. The country needs to invest in skill development and training for a large chunk of its population. Exploiting sheer numbers is therefore one major reason to skill our workers. Secondly, the demand for advanced skill-sets in emerging areas is growing. Knowledge-intensive roles such as finance, business, etc, and those related to information technology and entrepreneurship are gaining momentum. The reality that these skills must be acquired will take root for more and more individuals, including drop-outs from the mainstream education system and those who have completed such education. Currently, the actual supply of these workers falls drastically short of matching growing demand. Hence, the gaps in domain knowledge are another reason to scale up the skilling. You are likely to be at a disadvantage, in terms of skill training and thereby employability, when compared to someone your age in China, USA, South Korea… In China about 47% of the workforce has received some kind of skill training, 52% in USA, 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. Comparatively, only about 10% of the Indian workforce received such training in 2008. India is seventh in the category of countries facing maximum difficulty in filling jobs, i.e., 58% difficulty, where the global average is 38%. These figures reflect that just belonging to the young Indian demographic is not enough. You are likely to be at a disadvantage, in terms of skill training and thereby employability, when compared to someone your age in China, USA, South Korea etc. To address these imbalances, India needs unprecedented increase in both education and job creation. At this point, there is no guaranteed advantage for India in the contest for high-skill talent. It will be dependent on skilling. Considering the state of higher education and the skill upgrade required to be carried out in the future, the process will not just be about learning for professionals, but rather unlearning and re-learning.
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by Mayank Kumar

13 Jul'16
7 reasons to watch UpGrad Talks today

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7 reasons to watch UpGrad Talks today

There is really no secret sauce for success. Provided you have had the opportunity to view the exclusive online tete-e-tete sessions brought to you by UpGrad Talks. With an amazing roster of world-class speakers, some from the top 1000 companies of India such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Sky, Coca Cola, JP Morgan, JWT to start-up poster children such as RedBus, Snadeal, Ola & Zivame and many more, Upgrad Talks provides insights into their formulae for success. The talks also share deep learning from situations that didn’t work out and many valuable nuggets of honest, down-to-earth and practical advice from successful entrepreneurs, experts and industry leaders. While some lip service has been paid to new-age technologies and skill sets, and the evolution of industries because of these, a deeper understanding of what this signifies is missing. Upgrad Talks intends to fill this gap by bringing together thought-leaders from different walks of life and raising the level of discourse in this area, as they share their experiences. Here are the top reasons why you must visit talks.upgrad.com today and make it your daily source of insights and motivation: Get Inspired Inspiration can come from many different sources. You may get inspired when you see a problem that needs a solution, which you are able to ideate, or get inspired when you hear stories of adversity being overcome by sheer willpower. Rarely does the simple existence of wealth inspire us. It may motivate us to work harder, but inspiration stems from a deeper place that needs real stories. Upgrad Talks are stories from the folks who have lived these stories, first hand. Not only does hearing someone’s complete story of challenges, thought process and subsequent outcome inspire, it also gives birth to new ideas and provides impetus to grow in your own space.  Moreover, inspiration also stems from well-put statements such as, ‘attitude will sail you through,’ by Harit Nagpal, CEO of Tata Sky. A key benefit of listening to industry leaders is that it also inspires us to think. ‘What we think, we become,’ is a quote by Buddha that sums up this well. Go ahead, face challenges It does not matter if you are a startup or an established financial organization; challenges, big or small, exist in every level of most businesses. Challenges faced, strategized and overcome is the rite of passage for almost everyone. Not only do Upgrad Talks cover challenges faced by leading industry veterans, it also covers it from various stages of businesses along with discussion of the solutions that helped overcome them. Upgrad Talks speakers’ discuss challenges faced by businesses in different spaces, which makes these talks an interesting listen. Furthermore, is quite motivating to hear the candid conversations of business leaders. So what is the common thought on challenges in the Upgrad Talks? No challenge is too big. It also strengthens the belief that challenges help you grow and become stronger and develops a sense of confidence to take on the next big challenge. Learn from influencers People who can motivate are great influencers. To hear success stories at Upgrad Talks, which have been driven by deep-rooted passion as well as courage of conviction can be a great influence on most people. It is likely to help you push yourself to greater heights and also follow your dreams a bit more diligently. To quote Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl, ‘ there is a fine line between stubbornness and persistence.’ Upgrad Talks is likely to help you define the lines as an excellent selection of influencers talk also about the key soft skills required to make it a significant mark on the industry that you belong to. Mentoring As you listen to entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts on models that have worked, one can also start drawing parallels to one’s one business or profession. Mentoring of this kind is both subtle and effective as it helps you choose some key takeaways from the shared experiences that are most relevant to you. Follow the series to get premium access to the best mentors in the country as they talk about education, the emerging digital age and its impact on businesses, talent shortages and advice to youngsters. A bit of crystal gazing In the series of Upgrad Talks, one is likely to come across a vast amount of business knowledge which has been converted into digestible insights that can also help you choose the next steps in your career. Speakers’ at Upgrad Talks share their business mantras and what the future is likely to be.  This is crystal gazing of the finest variety and yet another reason to tune into the talks. A healthy dash of optimism One of the unique selling points of the Upgrad Talks is that they also brings out the combined optimism in business from key industry leaders. Apart from that one can learn what is next in the industry, and explore potential future opportunities in the workspace. The upbeat and positive nature of these talks makes them a must-listen. Easily available online Just in case you were wondering how far you would need to travel to listen to such a wide range of speakers, you can breath easy. Upgrad Talks are delivered online and you can listen to them at your own convenience. All you need to do is to long onto talks.upgrad.com and you can access high quality, pre-recorded sessions online. Upgrad is making content richer, bigger and better as it kicks off with 15+ talks delivered by entrepreneurs, experts & business leaders.  You definitely do not want to miss out on the educational transformation that UpGrad is fuelling in partnership with some of the greatest minds. Remember, one can never stop learning. So, if you always aspired to hear great advice and insights from the top Indian business leaders on how you can grow your business, choose a career goal or get inspired, do take a look at Upgrad Talks. They are truly the voices that impact. Join us today and be a part of it at talks.upgrad.com.
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by Omkar Pradhan

06 Aug'16