AI Engineer Salary in India after AI Courses – A 2026 Guide

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Engineers use ML algorithms and tools to power products and services. That’s the reason most business houses are turning towards AI to earn more.

The AI wave has helped AI engineers take the centre stage and earn better salaries. An AI engineer’s role demands high salaries due to the fact that these professionals are backed by technical expertise. 

If you are considering AI as a career move, understanding the job opportunities and the salary landscape is crucial. These job opportunities have enhanced the popularity of courses like B.Sc in artificial intelligence

When there is a talk about an AI engineer’s salary in India, the number is not static. These professionals can earn anywhere between 45,000 to 70,000 per month, depending on skills and experience.

This blog is designed to cover the ins and outs regarding the salary structure of an AI engineer. We have also compiled crucial factors that play a key role in influencing the salary packages of AI engineers.

AI Engineer Salary – Highlights 

Highlights	Details
About	AI Engineer Salary
Average Salary of an AI Engineer	1,40,000 [1]
Highest Paying City	Bangalore
Highest Paying Job	AI Architect, AI Engineer, ML Engineer

AI Engineer Salary in India 2026 – A Quick Snapshot 

As per Statista reports, India stood second in hiring individuals for AI-related job roles in the past few years. In India, Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries and fueling the demand for AI engineers. AI and data analytics in India is growing fast in comparison to other tech domains. 

These professionals build systems that mimic human intelligence to make smart decisions. In any organization, an AI engineer plays the role of converting complex decisions into smart decisions. AI engineers mainly work for technology, finance, IT, Healthcare and consulting sectors.

In almost every field, demand for these individuals has surged. The year 2026 will witness tremendous growth in the job profile of AI engineers. These individuals are demanding higher salary packages for all good reasons. The average salary of an AI engineer, as per PayScale data, is 1,40,000 [2]

Though the salary potential of AI engineers is dependent heavily on their experience level and skillset. 

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Average Salary of an AI Engineer in India

The field of AI offers lucrative job opportunities in India. The AI market is driven by technological adaptation of varied sectors, including healthcare, education, IT, finance, and e-commerce. 

The AI market in India is projected to touch $17 billion by the end of 2027. AI engineers are hired across the job profiles of ML Engineer, AI Architect, and NLP specialist. The average salary of an AI engineer in India is 6LPA to 16LPA [3]

 Average Salary Range (INR)

AI engineers with real-time project expertise, strong technical skills, and cloud deployment skills are in a position to earn competitive salaries. AI-focused companies in India are keen to hire skilled AI engineers in different roles.

 Keeping in mind the demand for AI talent, AI engineers are getting preferable salary packages. However, these salary packages vary for different job roles. 

Fresher vs Experienced Pay Scale

A fresher AI engineer’s salary in India is low as compared to an experienced AI engineer. For junior-roles, you can get hands-on experience in data processing and machine learning. A junior AI engineer’s salary can range from 2LPA to 7LPA. However, a senior-level AI engineer’s salary is dependent on their technical expertise. Average annual salary for senior-level AI engineer roles can go up to 24,00,000. 

Highest-Paying Cities for an AI Engineer’s Salary

India has witnessed a major shift in salary trends. Top paying cities for an AI engineer’s salary are Mumbai, Bangalore, and New Delhi. These cities have better technological advancements, thriving growth landscapes, and top-notch R&D centres. That’s why these cities offer better salaries to AI professionals in varied roles.

Top industries hiring in 2026 for an AI Engineer

The AI industry is booming constantly. The demand for SAI professionals in various job segments is expected to increase in 2026. Top industries hiring AI professionals are: Healthcare, Fintech, Retail, Logistics, and IT. 

Fintech and Finance 

The finance sector remains an aggressive adopter of AI. FinTech companies are hiring AI professionals for multiple job roles by offering them lucrative salary packages. An AI engineer’s salary in the fintech sector is quite high.

Healthcare 

Healthcare stands tall among the fastest-growing sectors. AI’s role in healthcare has encouraged job opportunities in the field of diagnostic, clinical decision-making, hospital operations, and rescue management. 

Manufacturing and Industry 

The manufacturing sector is among the emerging sectors that have employed AI engineers in factories to reduce downtime and help improve quality. 

Technology and SaaS

SaaS platforms and technology companies are considered major employers where generative AI and LLM engineering jobs are helpful in improving efficiency. 

Also Read: Impact of AI On Animation And VFX Industry

AI Engineer Salary in India by Experience Level

Experience in the AI industry plays a crucial role in determining your salary package. The salary of an entry-level AI engineer can be low. However, as you progress in your career, you would see a significant shift in your salary potential.

AI Engineer Salary from Fresher / Entry-Level (0–2 Years)

Average AI engineer salary for freshers’ roles with zero or no experience typically ranges between 2LPA to 7LPA.

AI Engineer Salary from Junior to Mid-Level (2–5 Years)

For mid-level AI engineers, salary potential can be quite high. As you gain experience and upgrade your skills, you will be in a position to demand high salaries. AI developer salary at this stage will lie between 5LPA to 15LPA. For a machine learning professional, the salary spectrum can go up to 22LPA.

Senior AI Engineer salary(6–10 Years)

Senior-level AI engineers generally get the role of AI Architects and Lead AI Engineers. As an AI Architect, you can get a salary package of 24.5LPA to 25LPA.

AI Engineer Salary Based on Education and Certifications

The rapid growth of global tech companies and startups has contributed towards rising jobs in the AI and ML sector. Your educational background influences your career trajectory and salary spectrum. Graduates from top-tier engineering colleges receive better job offers. 

Thus, leading to a well-off AI engineer’s salary. AI certifications and advanced-level degrees are designed to help you attain your career goals. Structured programs are committed to continuous learning. 

B.Sc in Artificial Intelligence 

The AI BSc in Artifical Intelligence course is designed to cover all aspects of AI learning. The program covers essential aspects of machine learning, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing. 

The course helps you acquire AI framework skills, cloud computing skills, proficiency in Python, Java, C++, and robotics and automation. After getting an Artificial Intelligence degree, you can move towards getting your desired AI engineer salary. 

AI Engineer Salary across Different Job Roles 

AI engineers are primarily responsible for designing and developing artificial intelligence systems. Specific AI engineer roles and ML roles command different salaries. 

The salary structure is typically based on job profile, job responsibilities, and technical expertise. Therefore, understanding the salary expectations of each job role is vital to starting your career in this dynamic sector.

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AI ML Engineer Salary 

AI ML Engineers’ demand is growing among different sectors. Thus, leading to competitive salaries in this field. AN AI ML engineer’s salary varies on the basis of location and experience. However, most people in this field earn between 20LPA to 22.4LPA [4]

NLP Engineer Salary 

NLP is a specialised branch that is gaining importance in today’s automation world. For an NLP engineer, the salary potential typically lies between 8.7LPA to 10.9LPA. [5]

Data Scientist salary 

Data scientists are considered visionaries of the AI realm. These people are responsible for undertaking complex data-based decisions. The average salary of a data scientist in India lies between 14.9LPA to 16.5LPA.

Must Read: Data Scientist Salary in India After Data Science Course – A 2026

AI Research Scientist Salary

An AI Research Scientist’s salary is based on their experience level and skillset. On average, Artificial Intelligence Researcher salaries range from 24.4 LPA to 31.1LPA.

AI Engineer Salary City-Wise Comparison 

The annual AI engineer salary in India is impacted by the location of an employee. City-wise salaries differ on the basis of factors including cost of living, presence of big tech giants, competitive landscape, and availability of skilled professionals.

AI Engineer Salary in Delhi NCR

Delhi NCR [ Faridabad, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad ] is considered a major hub for big companies and MNCs. The average annual salary of an AI engineer in Delhi NCR is 13LPA.

AI Engineer Salary in Hyderabad 

AI-driven companies and big tech giants are present in Hyderabad. The average salary that an AI engineer can get in Hyderabad is around 10LPA. 

AI Engineer Salary in Mumbai

Mumbai city is a perfect blend of tech and finance companies. Big and reputable tech giants are known to offer high salary packages to AI professionals. You can earn an average salary of 11.4LPA as an AI professional in Mumbai.

AI Engineer Salary in Bangalore

Bangalore pays the highest salaries to AI engineers. The city is known for its demand for AI roles. An AI engineer’s salary in Bangalore is around 12.1LPA.

AI Engineer Salary in Pune

Pune is a city known to have a thriving AI ecosystem. The city is welcoming AI startups and tech companies to offer job opportunities to AI professionals. An AI engineer’s salary in Pune is around 9LPA.

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AI Engineer Salary in India vs Abroad

AI engineers are at the forefront of the AI revolution. AI around the globe has become a mainstream driver for business growth and innovation. The demand for AI engineers in different countries has skyrocketed. High-tech paying roles offer better salary packages to AI professionals. 

AI Engineer Salary in United States 

The United States is considered a global leader in the AI realm. The country offers lucrative job opportunities to AI professionals from different parts of the world. An entry-level AI engineer can earn $70,000 to $90,000 with the salary package enhanced to $1,20,000 for senior-level roles. 

AI Engineer Salary in Canada

AI Engineer Salary in Canada varies based on experience and portfolio strength. The average salary of an AI engineer in Canada lies between CAD $100,000 to CAD $150,000

AI Engineer Salary in United Kingdom

The average compensation that an AI engineer gets is dependent on industry exposure and skillset. As an AI engineer in the UK, you can earn an average salary of £86,586.

AI Engineer Salary in UAE & Middle East

UAE and Middle east offer good salaries to AI engineers. Though, salaries vary on the basis of experience, education and skill set. AI engineers in UAE earn anywhere between AED 2,32,708 to AED 4,50,000.

AI Engineer Salary Growth Trends in India (2026–2030)

One question is often asked; what is the salary of AI engineers in India? Well, the salary potential of AI engineers vary on the parameters of exposure, portfolio strength, type of AI course and skills you possess. AI engineer salaries are projected to show tremendous growth from 2026 to 2030. AI Architect, Machine Learner and Data Scientist are among the top paying AI professionals in India.  

Starting salaries for freshers will be expected to see a promising jump. These salary packages would be higher than traditional IT job roles. Moreover, salary structure will be impacted by location factor. Major tech hubs like Mumbai and Bangalore will offer better salary packages to AI professionals.

Key Factors Affecting an AI Engineer’s Salary

Experience, location, skillset and type of company are among the key factors that influence an AI software engineer salary. Based on these factors, you can calculate the average salary base.

Experience & role seniority

Experience and salary potential of an AI engineer is directly proportional to experience. Freshers with zero or less experience may have low salaries in comparison to mid-level and senior-level AI professionals. 

Skills, projects & portfolio strength

The AI field demands specific skills. You need to have a blend of technical expertise, problem-solving skills and soft skills. AI engineer jobs in India require a candidate to possess these skills. Moreover, the kind of projects you undertake help strengthen your portfolio. If you have a strong portfolio, you can definitely create an impression on recruiters. 

Industry

Different industries provide different salary packages to AI professionals. Healthcare, finance, education and IT are among the fastest growing sectors. The average salary of an AI engineer in these sectors is quite high.

Location, remote & global hiring

Location too affects the salary of AI professionals. Tech giants are primarily situated in Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Bangalore. Hence, salary packages for AI professionals are high in these cities. Moreover, companies at the global stage are known to offer credible jobs and lucrative salaries for multiple AI roles.

How to choose the right AI course in India?

Choose an AI course that aligns with your career goals and learning preferences. A well-defined course is a foundation step to start an influential career in the AI field. Though, you need to consider certain essential aspects before choosing the right AI Course in India. 

Course Curriculum 

The course you choose will define your career and salary package. Look for an AI course that covers all essential topics like ML, Deep Learning, Python, Generative AI and LLMs. These courses are designed to equip you with full-fledged knowledge regarding AI concepts.

Training and Internships

Practical learning is crucial to gain an edge over other candidates. Hands-on training sessions involve real-world applications of AI aspects. Additionally, internship programs are designed to help you learn critical skills under a top-notch ecosystem. Always choose an AI institute that promises to offer better training programs. Training and internships in this field is vital to get your desired AI engineer salary package. 

Reputation of the Institute

An institute’s reputation plays a key role in attracting placement opportunities. Credible Institutes with proven placement track records help candidates land their dream AI jobs. 

Why choose AAFT for AI Courses?

AAFT is among the premier institutes focussing on structured learning. We understand the importance of inculcating the right skills and knowledge in students. At AAFT, we stress on AI education that is centred around equipping you with right knowledge regarding this field. 

Top-notch Faculty 

Mentors at AAFT possess deep knowledge of AI concepts. These experts are known to offer top-notch AI courses to make you AI-ready. Entrusted AI education by these mentors help you grab your desired AI engineer salary packages. 

Hands-on Learning

B.Sc in Artificial Intelligence course blends theoretical and practical concepts to hone your AI skills. With the help of training sessions, you will develop a robust portfolio while attaining practical skills. 

AI Engineer Salary FAQs