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Indian Pros Eye 6-10% Pay Hike in 2026, AI & Tech Roles Lead Surge

Indian professionals anticipate average salary increments of 6-10% in 2026, according to a new report. High-demand fields like AI, electric vehicles, and fintech are projected to see increases well above 10%, with some niche roles surging 30-40%. The employment landscape is shifting towards a skills-aligned model, where leadership and technical capabilities are paramount for growth. Retention is increasingly driven by holistic factors like work-life balance and professional development, even as AI adoption raises job security concerns among workers.

Key Points: 2026 Salary Guide: Indian Pros Expect 6-10% Hike, AI Skills Key

  • AI & tech roles expect above 10% hikes
  • 42% of professionals actively job-seeking
  • Skills like leadership & AI most critical
  • Fintech roles may see 30-40% increases
  • Work-life balance top retention driver
2 min read

Indian professionals expect up to 10 pc salary hike in 2026: Report

Adecco report reveals 2026 salary trends: 6-10% average hike, with AI, EV, and fintech roles seeing 30-40% surges. Skills and flexibility drive retention.

"We are seeing a clear shift... towards a more selective, skills-driven model - Sunil C., Adecco India"

New Delhi, March 3

The domestic compensation landscape is evolving towards a more selective, skills-aligned wage cycle, according to a report released on Tuesday, adding that professionals expect salary increments of 6-10 per cent.

High-demand domains such as AI, digital technology, electric vehicles (EV), and specialised technical roles see expectations above 10 per cent, the Adecco India '2026 Salary Guide' stated.

It highlighted talent shortages in niche areas, rising labour costs, and the need for large-scale reskilling to meet rapid technological shifts.

Skills in leadership and management (22 per cent), AI and machine learning (16 per cent), and project management (15 per cent) are emerging as the most critical over the next five years.

Labour market trends indicate cautious optimism: 42 per cent of professionals are actively seeking new opportunities, while 47 per cent are open to offers but not actively searching, said the report.

In healthcare, job changes in clinical research and regulatory affairs may result in salary increases of 20-35 per cent, while fintech and data finance roles may see 30-40 per cent increases.

IT specialists such as AI/ML engineers, data engineers, and cybersecurity professionals typically expect 10-12 per cent growth.

Other digital roles, including full-stack, cloud, and DevOps engineers, generally see 8-10 per cent increases. Strategic leadership roles in BFSI, such as CFOs and CROs, command salaries more than twice the market average, while metro cities offer 10-20 per cent higher pay than Tier 2 and Tier 3 locations.

Retention is increasingly driven by holistic employment value, with work-life balance (25 per cent), professional development (23 per cent), brand reputation (16 per cent), managerial quality and culture (14 per cent), and benefits (13 per cent) emerging as key factors. Flexible work arrangements are widespread, with 43 per cent in hybrid roles, 35 per cent fully remote, and 22 per cent fully in-office.

However, AI adoption raises concerns, with 65 per cent of professionals fearing bias in AI-led screening and 35-45 per cent worried about automation reducing job opportunities.

Sunil C. Country Manager, Adecco India said we are seeing a clear shift in India's employment landscape towards a more selective, skills-driven model as digital transformation and automation reshape talent demand.

"Salary hikes in 2026 are expected to remain moderate at 6-10 per cent across most industries, with stronger growth concentrated in emerging domains such as Generative AI, data science, cloud, cybersecurity, blockchain, 5G, IoT, quantum computing, and augmented reality over the next three to five years," he stated.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Rohit P
Moderate 6-10% hikes for most, but 30-40% for fintech? The gap is huge. It pushes everyone towards a few hot domains. What about experienced professionals in core manufacturing or traditional sectors? Feels like a two-speed economy.
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Aman W
The concern about AI bias in hiring (65%) is very real. We need regulations and transparency in how these tools are used. Otherwise, meritocracy suffers. Good that the report highlights this.
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Sarah B
Working in HR, this data is spot on. Retention is now about the whole package, not just salary. The 22% still fully in-office is interesting – shows a preference many still have for workplace collaboration.
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Vikram M
Metro cities offering 10-20% more, but the cost of living in Bangalore or Mumbai is 50% higher! Companies should adjust for location more fairly. Tier 2 cities with remote options are the real win.
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Karthik V
Leadership skills being most critical (22%) is the key takeaway for me. Technical skills get you in the door, but soft skills and management ability are what drive long-term career growth. Time to focus on that.

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