The hottest paycheques in India’s technology sector are being written for those who can build, secure and scale next-gen systems. Generative AI engineers now top the charts with senior roles touching Rs 60 LPA (lakh per annum), closely followed by MLOps (machine learning operations) specialists at Rs 58 LPA, cybersecurity experts at Rs 55 LPA, and cloud architects at Rs 45 LPA, TeamLease Digital’s Digital Skills and Salary Primer FY2025-26 said.
Innovation fuels high-paying roles
Mid-career professionals are also riding the wave, earning Rs 38-40 LPA in GenAI and MLOps and Rs 30-35 LPA in cloud and cybersecurity. Even freshers are finding themselves on strong footing: those entering GenAI and MLOps can start at Rs 12 LPA, cloud/data/cybersecurity at Rs 10-11 LPA, and Full Stack or API at Rs 8-10 LPA.
The report draws a clear dividing line between roles. AI, MLOps, cloud and cybersecurity are rising, roles like DevOps, full stack and API engineering are steady, and roles like low-code development are already showing signs of decline. In short, the premium is on innovation-linked skills that power transformation, while legacy roles inch towards irrelevance.
Average salaries across technology skills are projected to climb steadily from FY25 to FY27, with the steepest gains concentrated in innovation-led roles. Generative AI is expected to move from Rs 31.5 LPA in FY25 to Rs 37.5 LPA by FY27. Cybersecurity is expected to grow from Rs 28 LPA to Rs 33.5 LPA, while data engineering payouts are expected to climb from Rs 23 LPA to Rs 27 LPA. Cloud computing advances from Rs 24 LPA to Rs 28 LPA over the same period.
By contrast, low-code is the only stream to drift lower, and mid-tier developer tracks such as DevOps, Full Stack and API show only modest, low single-digit gains—underscoring that salary momentum is concentrated in innovation-led skills.
The demand surge is not confined to the core tech industry. BFSI, manufacturing and retail are poised to lead hiring volumes, fuelled by deep investments in digital transformation, automation and AI-driven services.
According to the report, BFSI’s technology spend is expected to quadruple by 2034, while automotive and manufacturing are embedding IoT and software-defined systems into their products. Healthcare too is scaling up with AI-enabled diagnostics and telemedicine, sharpening the need for data and cybersecurity talent.
Neeti Sharma, chief executive officer at TeamLease Digital, said India’s digital economy is at a pivotal moment pointing out that Global Capability Centres alone now contribute nearly a quarter of new white-collar tech jobs and account for a third of AI hiring nationwide. “The rise of GCCs from 2.16 million professionals today to 3 million by 2030, combined with diversity-first hiring, is accelerating innovation at an unprecedented pace,” she said.
Sharma also cautioned against complacency and the need for proactive steps to ensure building a future-ready workforce as new-age tech skills see rising demand. “India’s digital economy is projected to grow twice as fast as the country’s overall economy and contribute one-fifth of GDP by 2029–30, representing a global leadership opportunity, provided we address the 60% talent gap in AI domains and the 55–60% demand-supply mismatch in cloud computing,” she said.
IT sector salary movement
The IT sector presents its own distinct salary curve. Cloud computing and product management roles are projected to lead the demand. While cloud computing skills are expected to command Rs 37.5 LPA on an average by FY27, the same as product management profiles.
Generative AI salaries will move steadily upward for IT sector as well, rising from Rs 28 LPA to Rs 33.5 LPA in the same period, while cybersecurity is expected to show modest growth from Rs 22.5 LPA to Rs 24.5 LPA.
By contrast, senior professionals in DevOps and software architecture profiles are expected to retain healthy salaries of `33–45 LPA in FY26, though the projections for average salary growth in these skills remains muted. The picture reflects a wider transition: from traditional IT operations that kept systems running, to cloud, product and AI-led roles that are now shaping business outcomes.
