2026 is truly a golden year for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) engineers in India, with opportunities expanding rapidly along with salaries across different experience levels.
analysis by test leaf The country’s AI job market has grown by more than 40% year-on-year, underscoring the soaring demand for professionals in industries ranging from testing and automation to finance and healthcare.
According to the report, the country will have over 1 million AI and ML roles by 2026, with average annual salary growth expected to be 15-20%. “The rise of GenAI and enterprise-level automation is driving demand for engineers who understand both AI systems and real-world product integration,” the report states.
What can you expect?
Dedicated AI/ML engineers start in the range of Rs 500,000 to Rs 900,000 per year and can earn up to Rs 30,000 LPA plus bonuses and stock options over the next five years.
“Talents who can blend data engineering, model deployment and AI-driven testing will be at the forefront of India’s technology revolution,” Testleif said.
Compensation varies depending on years of experience and location.
Bengaluru, India’s IT hub, is leading the AI wave with average salaries for AI/ML engineers ranging from 15 to 40 LPA.
It is closely followed by Hyderabad (LPA 12-32 rupees), Pune/Mumbai (LPA 10-30 rupees), Chennai/Coimbatore (LPA 9-25 rupees) and Delhi-NCR (LPA 10-28 rupees).
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AI/ML Engineer Salary in 2026
1. Freshers: Those with 0-2 years of experience can expect starting packages of Rs 6-9 LPA for AI Engineer jobs and Rs 5-8 LPA for ML Engineer jobs. This includes roles such as AI/ML Associate and Junior Engineer.
2. Medium Level: With around 3-6 years of experience, you can get a package of Rs 12-20 LPA as an AI Engineer and Rs 10-18 LPA as a ML Engineer. Profiles here include ML developers, AI engineers, and data scientists.
3. Seniors: Those with 7+ years of experience can expect an annual package of Rs 25-45 LPA for AI Engineer jobs and Rs 20-40 LPA as ML Engineers. This is for Lead AI Engineer, MLOps Architect, and AI Consultant roles.
Working remotely can open you up to even better-paying positions, equivalent to LPA 60-80 rupees for a senior AI engineer in a US company.
Factors influencing AI/ML salaries
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Skills: Experience with tools like Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, LangChain, MLOps, etc. can help increase engineer salaries by 20-30%.
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Company type: Engineers are offered aggressive ESOPs by startups, while multinational companies offer structured salaries with bonuses.
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Remote work: Working remotely for a global company can help you achieve two to three times more than the regional average.
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