The game has changed - AI leads, skills win, salaries follow. With GenAI, Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Data Engineering at the center, India’s workforce is being rewritten for the future. As enterprises integrate GenAI, Cloud, Cybersecurity, and Data Engineering into core business models, salaries and workforce priorities are being recalibrated to match skill intensity and transformation potential.
Global Capability Centers (GCCs) are driving this change, contributing over 55% of global GCC value delivery from India and evolving into hubs for AI, engineering, and product innovation. Meanwhile, non-tech industries like BFSI, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Retail are embedding digital skills into compliance, supply chain, finance, and customer experience—blurring the lines between tech and non-tech employment. The outlook is promising but uneven: enterprises continue to face severe talent shortages in AI, Cloud, and Cybersecurity, while Full Stack and mid-tier developer positions are entering a stable demand phase, and legacy IT and support roles show stagnation or decline. At the same time, freshers in AI and Cloud command starting salaries of ₹7–8.5 LPA, reflecting the market’s pivot to job-ready, skill-based hiring.
The Digital Skills & Salary Primer 2025–26 by TeamLease Digital offers a clear view of the most in-demand skills and compensation trends across tech, GCCs, and non-tech sectors. Drawing on insights from over 30,000 salaries, the report highlights where digital talent value is concentrating, how salary premiums are shifting, and which capabilities will define competitiveness in the AI era. It also examines city-based salary landscapes, fresher hiring patterns, diversity and pay equity, and the evolution of leadership—with new roles like Chief AI Officer now commanding salaries of ₹2–2.5 Cr.
Key Takeaways
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For Jobseekers :
- Adopt continuous learning to stay future-ready
- Target AI, Cloud & Data roles for growth
- Tap GCC & IT Services for higher pay opportunities
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For Businesses:
- Build talent in AI, Cloud & Cybersecurity
- Close skills and diversity gaps
- Leverage city/tier advantages for cost optimization
Digital Skills & Salary Primer FY2025-26