Data science has become a key driver for innovation, with professionals using their expertise to turn data into actionable insights. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI has further amplified its significance, enabling systems to predict, automate, and even create new content. As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decisions, the demand for skilled data scientists has surged. This blog delves into the salary trends for data scientists in India, highlighting factors like skills, experience, and location, and offering tips on boosting your salary. Explore how data science, powered by AI, is reshaping careers and compensation.
Table of Content
Who is a Data Scientist?
Data scientists are responsible for identifying key insights from structured or unstructured data to help businesses make winning data-driven decisions. The character of a data scientist involves expertise in multiple things, such as programming, statistics, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing.
In a business setting, data scientists typically mine data to figure out customer behavior, identify new revenue opportunities, and detect fraudulent transactions. To do so, they analyze volumes of quantitative and qualitative data, depending on the specific application.
Data Scientist Salary in India
The salary of data scientists in India varies depending on their skills, experience, and location. Entry-level positions for freshers start at around ₹7,00,000 annually, while more experienced data scientists can earn salaries upwards of ₹20 lakhs.
1. Average Salary Overview
According to Glassdoor,
- The average salary for a data scientist is ₹12,12,305 per year in India.
- The starting salary for a junior data scientist is around ₹7,00,000.
- With the right skills and adequate experience, the salary of a data scientist can easily go above ₹20 lakhs.
Some essential skills like SQL, Python, machine learning and predictive modeling, deep learning, and NLP can help you get promising high figures.
2. Highest and Lowest Salaries
- Lowest Salary: Junior data scientists (0-4 years) earn anywhere from ₹1.4 lakhs to ₹7.5 lakhs per year.
- Highest Salary: Experienced senior data scientists or leads (8+ years) can earn anywhere from ₹16 lakhs to ₹26 lakhs annually.
Key Factors Influencing Data Scientist Salaries
1. Skills and Expertise
Some hard skills are very essential for a high-paying data scientist job. These skills include knowledge of programming languages, statistics and probability, machine learning and deep learning, database management, data visualization, etc.
In addition to technical skills, soft skills (attention to detail, leadership, active listening, effective communication skills, etc.) allow data scientists to think innovatively and provide better results for customers.
Knowing Python, R, and SQL alone can raise your salary as a data scientist in India to as high as ₹28 lakhs. However, if you are well equipped with knowledge about AI technology such as deep learning, NLP, and computer vision, the salary could easily go above ₹50 lakhs.
2. Experience Level
There is a direct positive correlation between years of experience and the scale of a data scientist salary in India. Here’s a demonstration of how experience plays a critical role in salary levels.
| Position | Lowest Salary | Highest Salary |
| Junior Data Scientist (0–4 years) | ₹1.4 lakhs | ₹7.5 lakhs |
| Senior Data Scientist(4–8 years) | ₹7 lakhs | ₹18 lakhs |
| Lead Data Scientist(8+ years) | ₹16 lakhs | ₹26 lakhs |
3. Work Location
Location plays a critical role in determining salaries. Cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore offer higher salaries compared to other cities due to the presence of top tech companies and the cost of living. For example:
- In Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore, data scientists can earn between ₹14 lakhs to ₹30 lakhs annually.
- In cities like Coimbatore and Chennai, the salaries range from ₹9 lakhs to ₹23 lakhs annually.
Top Companies Hiring Data Scientists in India
The data scientist salary in India can fluctuate depending on the company you work for. Here, we have compiled a list of the top companies in India and the salaries you can expect.
| Company Name | Entry-Level Salary | Average Salary | Highest Salary |
| Meta | ₹16 lakhs | ₹25 lakhs | ₹91.8 lakhs |
| Amazon | ₹8 lakhs | ₹16 lakhs | ₹60 lakhs |
| Apple | ₹14 lakhs | 32.5 lakhs | ₹56.8 lakhs |
| Microsoft | ₹17.9 lakhs | ₹30 lakhs | ₹65 lakhs |
| Uber | ₹15 lakhs | ₹25 lakhs | ₹35 lakhs |
| Google | ₹12 lakhs | ₹29 lakhs | ₹52 lakhs |
City-Wise Salary Breakdown
Location is crucial as it determines many factors, such as the average salary and the clients served by the company. Hence, the salary of a data scientist can vary depending on which city they work in.
According to cutshort.io, Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore rank among the top-paying cities for data scientists in India, followed by Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Coimbatore.
1. Data Scientist Salary in Mumbai
In Mumbai, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹20,00,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹14,00,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹30,00,000 annually.
2. Data Scientist Salary in Pune
In Pune, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹20,00,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹14,00,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹30,00,000 annually.
3. Data Scientist Salary in Bangalore
In Bangalore, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹20,00,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹14,00,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹30,00,000 annually.
4. Data Scientist Salary in Delhi NCR
In Delhi NCR, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹20,00,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹13,70,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹30,90,000 annually.
5. Data Scientist Salary in Hyderabad
In Hyderabad, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹18,20,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹15,30,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹25,20,000 annually.
6. Data Scientist Salary in Chennai
In Chennai, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹15,20,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹10,60,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹22,80,000 annually.
7. Data Scientist Salary in Coimbatore
In Coimbatore, the average annual salary for a data scientist amounts to ₹12,80,000. The lowest base pay stands at ₹9,00,000 per annum, while the highest reaches around ₹19,20,000 annually.
Industry-Wise Salary Insights
The rapid growth of information offers a possibility for many industries to expand their range using data science. You may be curious about the industries where data science is used and data scientists are employed. Here, we have compiled the top industries that utilize data science.
We have also compiled some top companies operating in these industries along with the salaries they offer. (Source: AmbitionBox)
1. Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
In the recent past, we have seen biotechnology evolve significantly. One of the driving factors behind the incursion of tech into healthcare is the ability of ML algorithms to predict the possibility of disease based on scans and reports. The accuracy of disease prediction has improved significantly, thanks to the data scientists working in this field.
The top recruiters of data scientists in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries in India are:
- GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals
- Highest Salary: ₹19 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹9 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹12.9 Lakhs
- GE Healthcare
- Highest Salary: ₹22 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹11 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹17.9 Lakhs
2. Finance
From predicting economic trends, stock market standings, and credit card fraud detection, data science has been the revolutionary tech stack for the finance industry. The finance industry is one of the first industries to adopt data science since it already has data mechanisms in place.
The top recruiters of data scientists in the finance sector in India are:
- JPMorgan Chase
- Highest Salary: ₹39 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹10.2 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹22 Lakhs
- HDFC
- Highest Salary: ₹29 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹10 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹18.5 Lakhs
3. Retail
Have you ever wondered how retail giants recommend products that you are looking for? How do they show up with marketing campaigns that you resonate with? Data science is the driving force behind that. The top recruiters of data scientists in the retail industry in India are:
- Amazon
- Highest Salary: ₹58 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹15 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹32.9 Lakhs
- Flipkart
- Highest Salary: ₹50 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹12.3 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹29.5 Lakhs
4. Digital Marketing
Marketing is one of the most important pillars of business. To comprehend how people move online and what intrigues them about your product, you have to use data and create personalized marketing campaigns. That’s where the need for data scientists rises.
Here are the top companies that hire a data scientist to improve their marketing campaigns:
- Meta
- Highest Salary: ₹91 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹16 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹25 Lakhs
- Google
- Highest Salary: ₹52 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹12 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹29 Lakhs
5. Professional Services
The top recruiters of data scientists in the professional services industry in India are:
- Deloitte
- Highest Salary: ₹24 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹6 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹14.4 Lakhs
- Citrix
- Highest Salary: ₹19.4 Lakhs
- Base Salary: ₹14.5 Lakhs
- Average Salary: ₹16.3 Lakhs
Data Scientist Salary by Job Role
Data science positions come with various job roles. Here is an overview of what you can expect in terms of salary and responsibilities upon entering one of these fields.
How to Boost Your Data Scientist Salary
The location and company profile are not the only factors that affect your pay as a data scientist. Increasing your compensation as a data scientist can come from taking certain additional commitments.
1. Upgrade Your Skills and Take Certification
One of the most effective ways to boost your salary is by continually upgrading your skills. Specializing in AI, deep learning, and MLOps can open up higher-paying opportunities. Earning certifications in data science and AI technologies can also validate your expertise and increase your earning potential.
2. Negotiation
Negotiation can also play a significant role in securing a higher salary. Make sure you research industry standards and market rates before entering discussions. Be prepared to showcase your skills, past work, and contributions to secure a salary increase. Your negotiation skills can also play a crucial role here.
Career Prospects in Data Science
The demand for data scientists is expected to keep growing, especially with the rise of AI and machine learning. By 2028, the global demand for data scientists is projected to reach 11.5 million jobs. With the continued reliance on data in every industry, the future for data scientists looks promising, with substantial opportunities for career growth and higher salaries.
Conclusion
Data science is one of the hottest and most lucrative fields today. With high demand for skilled professionals and the opportunity to work in diverse industries, becoming a data scientist is a career path worth pursuing. To maximize your salary potential, keep learning, stay updated with the latest technologies, and don’t hesitate to negotiate for better pay. If you want to learn or upgrade your skillsets, then you should definitely head to check out our Data Science Certification Course.
Data Scientist Salary in India: FAQs
Is data science a good career in 2024?
As we enter 2024, the prediction is that there will be more demand for data scientist roles. Further industries are recognizing the importance of data science and how it can help them shape their success. This will result in massive job opportunities for data scientists.
Will data science be in demand in 2025?
Based on a report from IBM, the demand for data scientists is expected to rise by 28% by 2025.
Do data scientists make good money?
Data scientists receive a higher-than-average salary. The average salary for a data scientist is ₹12,12305 per year in India, whereas the average base pay in India is ₹9,45,489 per year.
Can a data scientist earn 1 crore?
Yes, a lead data scientist in India with the right skill sets and ample years of experience can earn up to 1 crore in many renowned firms.
Is data science a high-paying job?
Among the high-paying roles in data science are positions such as data scientist, machine learning scientist, machine learning engineer, and database manager.
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