India tech salary benchmarks: what hiring teams should expect in 2026
22 April 2026 · 6 min read
Compensation conversations in 2026 look very different from two years ago. After a period of correction, offers have stabilised — but the distribution has shifted. The premium has moved decisively toward a handful of disciplines, and the gap between an average hire and a genuinely strong one has widened.
Where the premium sits now
AI and ML engineering continues to command the steepest premium, particularly for engineers who have shipped production systems rather than worked on proofs of concept. Cloud and platform roles remain consistently strong, driven by the volume of migration and reliability work across enterprises and GCCs.
What this means for hiring teams
- Benchmark to the discipline, not just the title — a 'data scientist' and a 'data engineer' now diverge sharply on comp.
- Move quickly on strong candidates; the best are rarely on the market for long.
- Be clear on the problem, not just the stack — senior engineers increasingly choose roles on the strength of the work.
We share specific, role-level benchmarks with clients as part of every mandate. If you'd like a read on a particular role, get in touch.
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