KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• AI professionals see a 12% salary increase in 2026.
• Traditional IT roles stagnate or decline.
• Bengaluru offers the highest salaries for AI professionals.
• Pay differences are significant across different regions.

Introduction

In 2026, the tech industry is witnessing a significant shift in salary trends, driven primarily by the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) skills. According to a study by foundit, professionals with AI expertise are seeing a notable rise in their salaries, while those in traditional IT roles face stagnation or decline.

Salary Trends in AI vs Traditional IT

The study by foundit reveals that AI professionals are recording a 12% year-on-year rise in salary. This trend is in stark contrast to traditional IT roles, where salaries have either stagnated or declined. After AI, sectors like computer & network security and semiconductors are witnessing a 9% increase in salaries.

Regional Salary Disparities

The study highlights that AI compensation varies significantly by location, reflecting the clustering of specialized employers and mature technology ecosystems. Bengaluru stands out as India's highest-paying market for AI professionals, supported by its density of product companies, AI-first startups, and global capability centers (GCCs).

Detailed Analysis

AI Salary Ranges: For AI professionals with three or under three years of experience, the salary ranges between Rs 8.87 lakh and Rs 15.41 lakh per annum (LPA). This rises to Rs 70.99–89.24 LPA for those with more than 15 years of experience. Cybersecurity records an even higher salary ceiling of Rs 97.81 LPA, the highest across the categories tracked.

IT Salary Ranges: Entry-level pay in IT and IT services starts at Rs 2.68–5.08 LPA, about a third of what AI freshers command, and salary reaches Rs 57.55–72.13 LPA for those with 15+ years of experience. Both categories have also recorded a 1% pay decline over the last year.

Regional Pay Differences: Senior AI professionals in Bengaluru earn Rs 61.70–91.25 LPA, 10–15% higher than in NCR or Mumbai, and up to 40% more than in Chennai at the senior end. Hyderabad is emerging as the closest challenger, backed by expanding investments in GCCs and product engineering.

Future Outlook

According to Tarun Sinha, CEO of foundit, salary growth will increasingly follow those who keep deepening and renewing their skills as business needs shift. The study also notes that salary growth outside technology is concentrated in areas building new capabilities, such as semiconductors and industrial automation.

FAQ

**Q: What is the main takeaway from the foundit study? A: The main takeaway is that salary growth will increasingly follow those who keep deepening and renewing their skills as business needs shift.

**Q: How do salaries for AI professionals compare to traditional IT roles? A: AI professionals see a 12% salary increase, while traditional IT roles stagnate or decline.

**Q: Which city offers the highest salaries for AI professionals? A: Bengaluru offers the highest salaries for AI professionals.

Conclusion

In 2026, the tech industry is experiencing a significant shift in salary trends, driven by the growing importance of AI skills. Professionals who adapt and renew their skills in AI are seeing substantial salary increases, while traditional IT roles face stagnation or decline.

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