Automation engineer salaries are often described as high-paying, but what does that really mean? Junior engineers, mid-level engineers, and senior engineers all take home very different paychecks. The salary of an automation engineer depends on the job location, industry type, education, and experience. On average, the salaries range from ₹2.1 – ₹ 29.8 lakhs per year, depending on experience.
So, if you are aiming for the role of an automation engineer, understanding the automation engineer salaries is crucial. In this blog, we will help you understand Automation Engineer Salary in India across industries and different experience levels, factors that affect automation engineer compensation, and the skills and qualifications you need to become an automation engineer.
Table of Contents:
Who is an Automation Engineer?
An automation engineer automates tasks and processes by designing, developing, and implementing automated systems. They reduce the need for human intervention and improve efficiency across different industries such as IT, Manufacturing, healthcare, and pharmaceutical. They create systems that can carry out routine duties, track, and boost workflow performance.
Automation engineers use a mix of programming skills and engineering to build automated systems, usually involving control systems, software, and robotics. They are responsible for tasks such as designing automated machinery, programming systems to establish quality control, and troubleshooting issues to ensure seamless operation.
What Does an Automation Engineer Do? Roles and Responsibilities
Automation engineer roles and responsibilities include designing, programming, developing, and testing automated machinery and processes. Their responsibilities are to code and script for system maintenance and troubleshooting. By automating systems such as production lines, store cashiers, and computer systems, automation engineers aim to make employees, consumers, and businesses, and their daily lives, simple and transform operations through innovation.
Some of the key duties include developing testing strategies and validating system safety and performance. Here are some of the roles and responsibilities of automation engineer:
1. Design and develop systems: They need to build automated machines, software, and processes to make tasks easier to handle.
2. Program and configure: An automation engineer must write code and configure systems, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), software, and robotics, to carry out specific duties.
3. Integrate software and hardware: To create a functional automated system, they connect hardware components (like sensors, motors, and cameras) with software.
4. Troubleshoot: Identify, resolve issues, and maintain existing automated systems to prevent operational downtime.
5. Monitor and test: Set monitoring and quality assurance processes to make sure the automated systems are working correctly and meet performance goals.
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Automation Engineer Salary in India Based on Experience
Salaries of automation engineers vary based on experience, location, and industry, ranging from ₹2.1 – ₹ 29.8 lakhs per year. An automation engineer’s salary per month can range from ₹38,000 – ₹2,81,000 for 1-8 years or above of experience.
Let’s take a look at the salaries of automation engineers from the entry-level to the senior-level in India.
- Entry-level Automation Engineer Salary: An entry-level automation engineer with 0-3 years of experience can expect a salary ranging from ₹2.1 – ₹7 lakhs per year.
- Mid-level Automation Engineer Salary: With 4-7 years of experience, mid-level automation engineers can expect a salary of between ₹7 – ₹12 lakhs per year.
- Senior-level Automation Engineer Salary: A senior automation engineer salary can range between ₹16.4 – ₹29.8 lakhs per year, with an average annual salary of ₹21.3 lakhs for 8+ years of experience.
Automation Engineer Salary in India by Industry
Automation Engineer salaries in India vary across industries.
The average salary range that an industry offers is as follows:
| Industry Type | Average Annual Salary | Years of Experience |
| Manufacturing | ₹5.6 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Software Product | ₹8.2 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| IT Services & Consulting | ₹7.2 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Pharma/Healthcare | ₹5.8 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Food Processing | ₹8.9 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Internet | ₹8.5 lakhs | 1-7 years |
Note: Figures are based on reported salaries for professionals with around 1-7 years of experience.
Automation Engineer Salary in India by City
Here is the city-wise breakdown of the Automation Engineer salary in India:
| City Name | Average Annual Salary | Years of Experience |
| Bangalore | ₹7.5 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Mumbai | ₹6.5 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Pune | ₹7.1 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| New Delhi | ₹7.2 lakhs | 1-7 years |
| Hyderabad/Secunderabad | ₹7.2 lakhs | 1-7 years |
Note: Figures are based on reported salaries for professionals with around 1-7 years of experience.
Top 10 Companies Offering High Salaries to Automation Engineers in India
In India, top firms like Barclays and Genpact offer some of the highest salary packages for automation engineers.
The following table highlights some of India’s top companies offering high salaries to automation engineers:
| Company Name | Average Salary Package (Approx.) | Years of Experience |
| Barclays | ₹19.5 lakhs per year | 3-11 years |
| Genpact | ₹17.3 lakhs per year | 2-11 years |
| Ericsson | ₹12.6 lakhs per year | 0-7 years |
| Oracle | ₹12.7 lakhs per year | 2-7 years |
| Deloitte | ₹11 lakhs per year | 3-6 years |
| Siemens | ₹7.6 lakhs per year | 1-10 years |
| ABB India | ₹6.3 lakhs per year | 1-7 years |
| Capgemini | ₹7.9 lakhs per year | 1-7 years |
| Accenture | ₹7.5 lakhs per year | 0-7 years |
| HCLTech | ₹6.6 lakhs per year | 1-6 years |
Also, the average automation engineers salary in startups in India ranges between ₹2.4 – ₹15.8 lakhs per year, depending on factors such as funding stage and size of the company.
Note: These are approximate figures. Salaries vary based on role, experience, location, and industry.
Key Factors That Affect an Automation Engineer Salary
Several key factors affect an automation engineer’s salary. Some of these are as follows:
1. Level of Work Experience
An automation engineer’s salary is typically determined and negotiated on the basis of their work experience. For example, if you join a company or organisation as an early-level automation engineer, you can expect to earn an average salary of ₹2.1 – ₹7 lakhs per year, while for a senior-level automation engineer, it ranges between ₹16.4 – ₹29.8 lakhs per year.
2. Company Size
One of the important factors that affects the average automation engineer salary in India is company size. Generally, the IT and software industry tends to offer a higher salary package to its automation engineers.
3. Location (City)
Your work location also impacts the automation engineer’s salary in India. Cities like Pune, Bangalore, and Hyderabad have a high cost of living, because of which automation engineers demand higher salaries. While in cities like Lucknow, Bhopal, and Kochi, the salaries of automation engineers are comparatively lower due to the low cost of living.
4. Education and Qualification
Educational qualification plays an important role in getting a high-paying job as an automation engineer. Having a bachelor’s degree in computer science, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, or other relevant field is required. There are several automation engineering courses available in reputable colleges that can lead to higher initial placement salaries due to better industry exposure and connections.
5. Certifications
Earning certifications like Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) and ISTQB Certified Tester – Test Automation Engineer (CT-TAE), or other specific qualifications relevant to your field, can add value to your profile and improve your earning potential.
Besides, gaining experience through internships or pursuing a master’s degree can also help in getting a higher salary as an automation engineer.
How to Become an Automation Engineer– the Entire Process
After understanding the average salary of an automation engineer, which varies by experience, location, and industry type, let’s look at how to become an automation engineer.
To become an automation engineer, you need a mix of education, certifications, and relevant work experience.
1. Educational Qualifications
You first have to complete your bachelor’s degree, which is the basic requirement to become an automation engineer. Complete your graduation in a relevant field such as computer science, mechanical engineering, or computer engineering from a well-recognized college. You can also do an MBA, PGDM, or a master’s degree in a relevant field to get a higher position sooner.
2. Professional Certifications
Having an industry-recognized certification helps you get noticed by recruiters and advance your career. Holding certifications such as ISTQB Certified Tester – Test Automation Engineer (CT-TAE), Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE), Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST), and tool-specific certifications such as Selenium and LabVIEW improves your chances of earning a higher salary. You can check online platforms like RealPars, Coursera, and Udemy for certifications related to automation engineering.
3. Gain Professional Experience
It is a fact that the higher the position level you are applying for, the more experience you need. If you have just completed your graduation or post-graduation, you can start your career with an internship. With time, you can move to mid-level positions and gain more experience by working on different projects. Any experience that shows your leadership and communication skills will be helpful.
Top Benefits and Perks for an Automation Engineer
The job of an automation engineer has its own perks and challenges. As an automation engineer, you receive competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and stock options. Depending on the size of the company and your level of experience, you may be eligible for additional benefits, including remote work, insurance coverage, and on-site allowances. Apart from competitive salaries, automation engineers often get several perks, such as:
- Flexible work hours: As engineers take on projects, their work schedules are flexible. Many companies offer remote or work-from-home opportunities to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Professional development opportunities: Several firms invest in professional growth programs. So, engineers can use this opportunity to develop both coding and testing skills, earn industry-recognised certifications, and advance their career growth.
- Networking opportunity: When you are working as an automation engineer, you come across diverse clients and senior engineers, which helps you establish strong industry connections.
Important Skills to Become an Automation Engineer
An automation engineer must have a strong mix of technical expertise and soft skills. From mastering programming languages to collaborating across teams, these professionals need both precision and adaptability. Here are the key automation engineer skills:
1. Programming and scripting: Proficiency in languages like Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript is essential for writing, testing, and maintaining automation scripts that drive efficiency.
2. Automation software expertise: Strong command over tools like Selenium for automation testing, Docker for containerization, and Jenkins for continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines is critical to ensure smooth deployment and performance.
3. Control systems knowledge: A solid understanding of industrial automation systems such as PLC, SCADA, and HMI helps engineers manage and optimize manufacturing or process control environments.
4. Cloud and data management: Familiarity with platforms like AWS and the ability to handle data management and analysis are becoming increasingly valuable in modern automation setups.
5. Software development principles: A background in software development, testing methodologies, and version control adds structure and reliability to automation projects.
6. Problem-solving: The ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical challenges quickly is a must for any automation engineer.
7. Communication skills: Clear communication helps in coordinating with developers, project managers, and clients, ensuring goals and expectations are aligned.
The Bottom Line
Automation engineering is one of the most demanding yet rewarding careers. Engineers help organizations improve efficiency, reduce human error, and cut operational costs, whether that means enhancing accuracy, speeding up production, or ensuring consistent output. When it comes to pay, the automation engineer salary is highly competitive, but it varies based on experience, employer, city, and skill set.
Automation Engineer Salary – FAQs
Q1. What is the highest salary an automation engineer can expect to earn?
An experienced automation engineer can earn up to ₹16.4 – ₹29.8 lakhs per year, depending on their skills, location, and the company they work for. In top global companies or senior roles, salaries can go even higher.
Q2. What are some of the highest-paying automation engineering specializations?
Specializations like robotics automation, industrial automation, DevOps automation, and AI-based process automation usually pay the most. Engineers skilled in tools like PLC, SCADA, or cloud automation also earn higher salaries.
Q3. What is the difference between an Automation Engineer and an Automation Test Engineer?
An Automation Engineer designs and builds automated systems for factories, software, or networks. An Automation Test Engineer, on the other hand, focuses on testing software using automation tools to find bugs and make sure everything works correctly.
Q4. What is the job outlook for automation engineers? Is the demand growing?
Yes, the demand is growing fast. Almost every industry, from manufacturing to IT, needs automation to save time and money. As companies go digital, they need more automation engineers to build and manage these systems.
Q5. Will AI replace automation engineers?
No, AI will not replace automation engineers. Instead, it will change how they work. Engineers will use AI tools to build smarter automation systems, but human skills in planning, problem-solving, and decision-making will still be needed.