This article gives you a clear picture of AI Engineer salaries in India in 2025 after comparing various sources on the internet. It explains how salaries are fluctuating for experienced professionals and what the future holds. You will also learn the important technical and soft skills needed to succeed as an AI Engineer in this generation. This guide shares useful tips and strategies that can help you earn a higher salary. It is helpful for anyone who is considering building a career in AI in the next five years.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in India
India is now an important player in the global artificial intelligence (AI) field. The government is strongly supporting this growth by allocating ₹10,372 crores (about 1.24 billion USD) for the “India AI Mission.” The IndiaAI Mission aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem that fosters AI innovation by democratizing computing access, enhancing data quality.
The government is also aiding this mission by lowering the price of GPU usage for training AI models. It charges only about ₹100 per hour for using the GPU owned by the government. This is much lower than what other countries charge for the same.
Big tech cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune are emerging as AI innovation hubs, which gives rise to a high demand for AI talent. This has led to a growing number of AI startups. It has grown from 230 in 2018 to over 1300 in 2025.
India is focusing on several key areas in AI, including developing AI models for Indian languages, creating AI tools for healthcare, and building AI solutions for farming. All of this was possible due to the contributions of AI Engineers. Let us understand who an AI engineer is and what he does.
Who Is an AI Engineer and What Do They Do?
An AI Engineer builds systems that mimic human intelligence. They create and use AI models to help businesses automate tasks and make smart decisions. Here’s what an AI Engineer does:
- Builds machine learning pipelines from the beginning
- Trains AI models using raw data
- Deploys models into real-world use with tools like APIs, containers, or cloud platforms
- Solves real problems by applying their skills and knowledge
- Works closely with product teams to make sure the AI results match business goals
AI Engineers need to be good problem solvers and team players. They help companies work faster and smarter using AI technology.
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Skills Required to Become an AI Engineer
To become an AI Engineer and apply for the various job openings, you must have the following skills:
Technical Skills You Need
An AI Engineer has:
- Strong Python programming skills
- A solid grasp of Machine Learning concepts
- Kowledge about deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Mathematics concepts, including statistics
- Proficiency in data handling tools
- Experience in cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)
- Working experience with a version control system like GitHub.
People Skills You Must Have
AI Engineers combine technical expertise with important soft skills. They master analytical thinking, business mindset, communication skills, and adaptability throughout their career.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer Salary in India: An Overview
The average annual salary for an AI Engineer in India in 2025 typically ranges from ₹10 Lakh to ₹15 Lakh. However, this figure depends on the experience, location, and skillset of the employee. Here are some sources that report the average salary of an AI engineer.
- ₹32,30,000 per year
- ₹11,67,563 per year
- ₹14,00,000 per year
1. Average Salary Based on Experience
An employee’s experience plays the most part in how much he/she earns. The more experienced you are, the better your annual salary.
Experience Level |
Typical Roles |
Salary Range (INR per annum) |
Experience Required |
Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) |
Junior AI Engineer, Data Analyst |
₹4 LPA – ₹12 LPA |
Some experience gained through internships and projects. |
Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) |
AI Engineer, ML Engineer |
₹8 LPA – ₹20 LPA |
Experience in delivering and deploying actual ML projects. |
Senior-Level (5–10 yrs) |
Senior AI Engineer, AI Architect, Research Scientist |
₹15 LPA – ₹40 LPA (can go up to ₹80–90 LPA) |
Demonstrated expertise in a domain, leadership of teams, experience in real-world AI products, and research contributions. |
Highly Experienced (10+ yrs) |
Principal AI Scientist, Head of AI |
₹26 LPA – ₹38 LPA |
Strategic thinker, leader of innovation, and deep expertise in AI subfields. |
2. Average Salary Based on Location
Another factor that influences and impacts the per annum salary of an employee is the location of her office.
City |
Salary Range (INR per annum) |
Average Salary |
Key Insights |
Bangalore |
₹10 LPA – ₹30 LPA |
₹12.1 LPA |
Bangalore has the highest demand and pay for AI roles. |
Hyderabad |
₹9 LPA – ₹28 LPA |
₹10 LPA |
A rapidly growing IT sector resides here with expanding AI-driven companies. |
Mumbai |
₹9 LPA – ₹27 LPA+ |
₹11.4 LPA |
This city is a strong mix of finance and tech. The companies here have higher paychecks and cost of living. |
Delhi NCR |
₹8 LPA – ₹26 LPA |
₹13 LPA |
It is one of the major hubs of MNCs and startups working on AI products. |
Pune |
₹8 LPA – ₹25 LPA |
₹9.3 LPA |
Known for product startups and a thriving AI ecosystem. |
Chennai |
₹4.5 LPA – ₹30 LPA |
₹7.3 LPA |
Solid IT base. It has growing AI opportunities in traditional tech firms. |
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Factors Influencing Salary Growth in India
Want to increase your pay cheque as an AI Engineer? Here are a few strategies to achieve that goal:
- An advanced degree (MS/PhD) means more knowledge and experience. Getting a higher degree may command a 10-20% hike.
- An active project portfolio on GitHub/Kaggle, where you upload projects that tackle real-world problem-solving, also speeds up salary growth.
- A lot of MNCs and big corporations pay higher salaries for domain expertise in specific industries (finance, healthcare, etc.).
- FAANG companies, tech unicorns, and MNCs offer structured growth and better compensation packages. By applying strategic job changes and effective negotiations, you can boost your pay exponentially.
- Industry certifications from Google, AWS, or Microsoft can also boost your salary by 5-15%
The Future of AI in India: Trends and Predictions
Several key trends and predictions highlight the potential impact of AI on the Indian economy and society by 2030 and beyond:
- In the next five years, the demand for AI talent will grow by 30–35% every year. This growth is faster than the number of people available to fill these jobs. Because of this shortage, salaries will continue to rise. Experienced AI engineers may see their salaries increase by 12–18% each year. In comparison, salaries in the general IT industry are expected to grow by only 8–10%.
- A huge percentage of Indian businesses have already implemented AI, and even more startups and corporations plan to adopt or expand AI usage soon. According to reports in early 2025:
- 23% of Indian businesses have implemented AI. 73% expect to expand AI usage by the end of 2025.
- More than 80% of Indian companies consider AI a core strategic priority.
- India’s AI market is expected to grow very quickly in the coming years. It may see a growth rate of 20–45% each year. This will help the market reach a larger size. According to the India Skills Report 2024, the AI industry in India could be worth ₹24.65 trillion by the end of 2025.
- Sarvam AI is an Indian startup. It is building large language models for Indian languages. The company has received strong funding and is focusing on AI tools that support local and regional languages.
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Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence is changing the way businesses work in India. The demand for AI-skilled engineers is increasing by the hour. Companies are ready to invest more in AI in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance. If you are looking for a high-paying job, an AI Engineer is the best option. Focus on building strong technical skills like Python, machine learning, and deep learning. Work on your soft skills, such as communication and teamwork. AI in India is not a trend anymore; it is the future. By preparing now, you can be part of this exciting journey and shape the future of technology. If you sharpen your skills, you might get a chance to impact the Indian economy.
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AI Engineer Salary in India 2025: Trends, Insights & Earnings Guide – FAQs
Q1. Which cities in India pay the highest salary to AI engineers?
Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad are the cities that offer the highest salaries to AI Engineers.
Q2. What is the scope of AI in 2025?
The scope of AI in 2025 is vast, with rapid growth across industries, creating high demand for skilled professionals.
Q3. What is the average salary of AI in India?
As of 2025 in India, the average AI engineer salary is ₹15 to ₹25 lakh per annum, varying by experience, location, and industry.
Q4. Which company pays highest salary for AI engineer in India?
Global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon pay the highest salaries to AI engineers in India.
Q5. What is the salary of AI engineer with 10 years experience?
An AI Engineer with 10 years of experience usually earns around 30 to 50 LPA.